Finding Juicy, Delicious Turkey Legs Near You

Turkey legs are a classic staple at state fairs, theme parks, and Renaissance festivals, but did you know you can enjoy these ginormous, meaty treats all year round? I absolutely love sinking my teeth into a smoky, tender turkey leg, but trying to track down who sells them near me used to be a challenge.

After some digging around I uncovered a few surprising places that offer ready-to-eat turkey legs close to home. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend indulgence read on to find out where to get your turkey leg fix.

Grocery Stores

One unexpected place I found turkey legs was the grocery store. Many major supermarket chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons sell pre-cooked smoked turkey legs in the deli or prepared foods section. They are often sold individually or in family packs.

The turkey legs are smoked offsite for maximum flavor. All you need to do is heat them up at home in the oven or microwave. It makes for a quick and easy weeknight meal paired with some veggies and potatoes. The price is reasonable too, usually between $2-$4 per leg depending on the size.

Some higher end grocers like Whole Foods even offer specialty cured and seasoned turkey legs, like maple glazed or jerk spiced. Check your local grocery store’s prepared foods cooler to see if they carry smoked turkey legs. You’ll often find them around the holidays, but many carry them year-round.

Butcher Shops & Specialty Markets

Another place to find ready-to-eat turkey legs is your local butcher shop or specialty market. Many butchers smoke turkey legs in house and sell them individually or in bulk packs. The advantage of getting them from a butcher is you can sometimes customize your order if you call ahead. Want an extra large 25 lb monster leg? They can probably hook you up!

Ethnic markets like Italian, Polish, German, or Latin grocers sometimes carry different turkey leg preparations as well. I’ve seen smoked turkey drums stuffed with chorizo and cured in a Mexican adobo sauce at my local carniceria. Check out the prepared foods section or ask the butcher if they have any house specialty turkey legs for sale.

Online Mail Order & Delivery

Can’t find turkey legs nearby? Thanks to online ordering and grocery delivery services, you can now get turkey legs shipped right to your doorstep Companies like Walmart, Blue Apron, Omaha Steaks, and Schwan’s let you order smoked turkey legs online and deliver them frozen or fresh

Meal kit companies like HelloFresh and Home Chef also sometimes feature turkey legs in certain recipes you can get delivered each week. For a more instant option services like Instacart let you order turkey legs from grocers for same day delivery in select areas. Do a quick online search for “mail order turkey legs” to find even more specialty purveyors that ship.

Restaurants & Pop Up Events

Finally, don’t forget about restaurants and pop up events as places to score turkey legs! Many barbecue joints and pubs put smoked turkey legs on the menu, especially around the holidays. I’ve also seen food trucks in my city that serve nothing but gourmet turkey legs in unique flavors like Nashville hot and lemon pepper.

Some restaurants host special “Turkey Leg Tuesday” promotions where they offer discounted smoked legs one day a week. And around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other festivals, temporary turkey leg stands sometimes set up shop. Follow local food trucks and restaurants on social media to keep tabs on any limited time turkey leg specials happening near you.

Choosing & Cooking Your Turkey Legs

Once you track down a source for turkey legs in your area, keep these tips in mind to pick the best ones and cook them to perfection:

• Look for legs that are meaty and plump with smooth, shiny skin and no blemishes. Avoid legs with dry patches or ragged ends.

• Estimate 1/2 to 1 lb per person for a hearty serving size. Jumbo legs can weigh over 2 lbs!

• Thaw frozen legs in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking. This helps prevent uneven cooking.

• Preheat oven to 325°F and roast thawed legs for 60-90 minutes until the internal temperature reads 165°F. Baste occasionally with pan drippings.

• Microwave for 10-15 minutes total, flipping halfway through. Always use a microwave safe dish and vent wrapper.

• Finish on the grill for added char and smoky flavor. Grill for 15-20 minutes turning occasionally.

• Season or sauce to taste. Try dry rubs, barbecue sauce, honey glaze, or your favorite marinade. Get creative!

With so many places to buy them and easy ways to cook them, there’s no excuse not to indulge in a juicy, meaty turkey leg any time. From state fair classic to gourmet delicacy, turkey legs satisfy any savage appetite. Just follow my tips to seek out sellers near you. Go forth and get your turkey leg fix!