Best Hickory Smoked Turkey Legs Recipes

SMOKED TURKEY LEGS RECIPE | TRAEGER GRILLS

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, combine the warm water, the rub, curing salt, brown sugar, allspice, if using, peppercorns, bay leaves, and liquid smoke. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt . Let cool to room temperature. Add the cold water and ice, then chill the brine in the refrigerator.
• Add the turkey legs to the brine, making sure they're completely submerged. Refrigerate for 24 hours, then remove the turkey legs and discard the brine. Rinse the legs under cold water, then dry thoroughly with paper towels. Brush off any clinging solid spices.
• When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 250℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
• Insert the probe into the thickest part of a turkey leg, avoiding touching the bone. Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ and the turkey legs are deeply browned, 4-5 hours. Don't be alarmed if the meat under the skin is pinkish; that's a chemical reaction from the cure and the smoke.
• Serve immediately. Enjoy!

HICKORY SMOKED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Add hickory chips according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Combine chicken broth, melted butter, salt, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Inject the solution evenly throughout the breast.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small dish. Brush evenly over the breast.
• Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the rub over the entire breast, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
• Place breast in the preheated smoker and smoke for 3 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Remove from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes.

HICKORY TURKEY

Steps:

• In a stockpot, bring the first 12 ingredients to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature., Remove giblets from turkey; discard. Place a turkey-size oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add turkey. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours, turning occasionally., Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Add wood chips to grill according to manufacturer's directions. Drain turkey and discard brine. Rinse turkey under cold water; pat dry. Place the onion, orange and garlic inside cavity. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. Combine oils; rub over skin., Place turkey over the drip pan. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1 hour. Tent turkey with foil; grill 1-2 hours longer or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving.

HICKORY SMOKED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• To make the sauce: In a saucepan, stir all the sauce ingredients together using a whisk.
• Bring mixture to a boil; lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes or so, until the apples are cooked and the sauce is thickened.
• Throw out the cinnamon stick; let sauce cool for 5 minutes.
• Puree sauce in a blender or food processor.
• Equally divide sauce into 2 bowls; set aside.
• To make rub: In a bowl or heavy duty plastic zip-top bag add all the rub ingredients; stir or shake to combine.
• Rinse the turkey legs under cold water and pat dry.
• Coat turkey legs with rub mixture; let stand for 20 minutes at room temperature before grilling.
• Spray or lightly brush turkey legs with vegetable oil.
• Follow your grill manufacturer's instructions for using wood chunks.
• Grill turkey legs over indirect medium heat for approximately 1 hour or until meat thermometer reads 180° when inserted into the thickest part of the meat (baste occasionally with sauce from 1 reserved bowl).
• Take legs off grill and served with sauce from the 2nd reserved bowl.