These smoked turkey legs are juicy, smoky, and packed with savory BBQ flavor perfect for cookouts, game days, or backyard fun.
Easy prep and melt-in-your-mouth results make these drumsticks an absolute crowd-pleaser.
👉 Prep time: 10 minutes
👉 Cook time: 2–3 hours
👉 Difficulty: Easy
👉 Servings: 4–6 legs
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Why You’ll Love These Smoked Turkey Legs
- Smoky deep BBQ flavor
- Tender meat that falls off the bone
- Great for family dinners or gatherings
- Simple seasoning, no fancy tools needed
- Perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy interior
Whether it’s game day or BBQ night, these turkey legs deliver rich, mouthwatering flavor.
🥩 Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients List
- Turkey legs (4–6)
- Olive oil or melted butter
- BBQ rub (paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper)
- Optional: cayenne for heat
- Wood chips (hickory or mesquite)
👉 Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
Ingredient Tips
- Pat turkey legs dry before seasoning
- Massage rub into skin for deep flavor
- Soak wood chips 30 minutes if using smoker
How to Smoke Turkey Legs (Step by Step)
Step 1: Prepare the Smoker
Set your smoker to 225–250°F (107–121°C).
Add soaked wood chips.
Step 2: Season Turkey
Brush legs with oil or butter.
Rub generously with BBQ seasoning.
Step 3: Smoke Low & Slow
Place legs in smoker.
Smoke 2–3 hours until internal temp is 165°F (74°C).
Step 4: Rest & Serve
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
➡️ Serve with BBQ sauce, coleslaw, or grilled sides.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Grilled corn
- Baked beans
- Creamy potato salad
- Pickles and bread
Perfect for backyard gatherings and dinner parties.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days
- Reheat gently in oven or grill
- Freeze cooked legs for up to 1 month
🔄 Variations You Can Try
- Add honey-maple glaze
- Use turkey thighs instead of legs
- Try Cajun seasoning for spice
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without a smoker?
Yes use an oven at low temp + wood chips for extra smoke.
Is smoked turkey leg healthy?
Turkey is lean; adjust seasoning to taste.
Can I use turkey wings?
Sure adjust cook time slightly.
🍖 Recipe Card
PrintSmoked Turkey Legs Recipe: Unlock Ultimate Flavor Now!
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-10 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
A simple and effective recipe for smoking turkey legs, resulting in tender, juicy meat with crispy skin and a deep smoky flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 large turkey legs or 10 small turkey legs
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 cup salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, brown sugar, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a wet rub.
- Generously coat each turkey leg with the wet rub, ensuring all surfaces are covered.
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Use wood chips or chunks of your choice (hickory, apple, or cherry wood are recommended).
- Place the turkey legs directly on the smoker grates, leaving space between them for even cooking.
- Smoke the turkey legs for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone.
- Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the turkey legs from the smoker.
- If you prefer crispier skin, you can finish the legs on a grill over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the turkey legs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The initial internal temperature target is 165°F (74°C). However, for turkey legs, many people prefer cooking them until they reach 180°F (82°C) or even 190°F (88°C) for maximum tenderness (like ‘pulled’ dark meat). Adjust based on your preference.
- Using a quality meat thermometer is crucial for food safety and optimal texture.
- The provided rub can be adjusted to your taste. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If time allows, marinating the turkey legs in the rub overnight in the refrigerator can enhance the flavor penetration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American/BBQ
Final Thoughts
Smoked turkey legs are a rich, flavorful BBQ classic that’s simple to make and sure to impress.
Juicy meat and smoky goodness make these perfect for any outdoor meal.
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