how to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven

Of course, if you are serving the turkey hot, 350 degrees would be ok for smoking. It's really any baking sheet that your turkey legs will fit in without crowding. Add a teaspoon or two of water. Heat the oven for 250 F. To reheat pre-smoked turkey legs, brush them with oil, then set them on a grill over medium heat until theyve reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This slow and low cooking method will help to ensure that the turkey legs are cooked through without drying out or becoming overcooked. Set this package on a baking sheet or roasting pan. Place the lid back on and continue cooking for 30-40 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful. Recipe notes: Set the turkey legs in the slow cooker and add just enough chicken stock to cover the meat. Check the prices for a few different products and select once you're comfortable with. Shred some smoked turkey meat for these beans and greens, and you'll extend the dish into a hearty, satisfying main course. Oil the rungs of the rack or line it with foil to keep the bird from sticking. Bon apptit! To make sure that these smoked turkey legs are as delicious as possible, you must carefully follow all of the steps. In this article, we have shared a simple recipe for smoking and cooking smoked turkey legs in the oven. However, if youre going to give your dog some turkey, you want to make sure it is cooked plain. Smoke for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. If you feel like adding seasonings to your smoked turkey before cooking, start with 3 tbsp of salt and 3 tbsp of pepper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). How to cook smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker? Finally, its always important to check the internal temperature of the smoked turkey legs before serving. During the last minute or two of cooking, brush the turkey legs with your favorite barbecue sauce. In this case, checking the date will give you an idea of how long ago the turkey legs were smoked. Season the wings with a spice rub or spice mixture. Roast in oven for another 30 minutes, or until juices run clear and instant-read thermometer reads 165F. On day 2, use a marinade injector to inject the brine 4-5x in different spots around the turkey leg. Whats more interesting is that cooking smoked turkey legs is easy. First, preheat your grill to medium heat. Are turkey legs at Disney really turkey? This dish is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters and is so simple to make. If theyre frozen, try to thaw and reheat them within a 6-month time frame. You can also tell the turkey legs are done when the thermometer registers 165-167 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare The Turkey Legs 3. 1 teaspoon of onion powder. Heres how to do it. Stuff your turkey if required. If theres not enough foil to fully enclose the meat, start over with a fresh sheet. Welcome to Livings Cented! Keep an eye on it, so it does not overcook. First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. When you reheat the duck legs, they will be even more tender and juicy. Serve with rice, mashed potatoes or grits. Required fields are marked *. You can also choose to baste it with butter. The great thing about this dish is that it can be easily customized to your liking. Store-bought pre smoked turkey legs are fully cooked, so you only need to reheat the portions. 3. A smoked turkey is already cooked once the meat has been smoked for a few hours. Leave the meat in the oven for around 2 hours. The oven works well in a pinch, and all you need are the turkey legs and a supply of heavy-duty aluminum foil. . Roast uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. But how do you remove the giblets from a frozen turkey? Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Virtually all pre-smoked turkey legs are fully cooked, so it's almost certain you'll only need to reheat them before eating, not cook them from scratch, as you would with fresh turkey. Close the lid and smoke the turkey legs until they cook thoroughly. For best results, heat your turkey legs at a low temperature for 30 to 40 minutes. In a microwave-safe 9 x 13 baking dish, place the drumsticks. Step 1. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. First and foremost, you need to ensure that they are properly wrapped to keep the flavor locked in and prevent them from drying out. LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. It will help you know how long ago they were smoked and whether or not they should still be eaten. On the grill. This will help you determine if it will last until you plan to prepare it. Turn them once halfway through to make sure they heat evenly. Rest Before Serving How Do You Know If It's Done? LOL. Increase the temp of your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the last 30 minutes of cooking if you want the skin to be crispier. While some people might think theyre hard to make, it is very easy. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the turkey legs on a tall wire rack set in a deep roasting pan. 7 Steps to Cook Smoked Turkey Legs in the Oven 1. Serve the smoked turkey leg immediately. Turkey legs that are already smoked only need to be heated through before they are ready to eat. The critical thing to remember with smoked turkeys is that they need to be heated from both inside and outside. Smoked turkey legs are pre-cooked in a smoker, which gives the meat a distinctly smokey flavor and darker color compared to fresh turkey legs. Add a piece of butter. Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper onto the turkey legs. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little time, and youll have perfectly cooked smoked turkey legs that are full of flavor. Learn how to cook the best and juiciest smoked turkey legs using your oven! Finally, smoked turkey legs may be more expensive than fresh turkey legs due to the smoking process. Remove the turkey form the oven, and let sit for 10 minutes. Place the turkey legs on the grate, skin side up, and smoke for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat dry the turkey legs with paper towels. Place the turkey leg in a heatproof baking dish with a tight-fitting lid. Finally, cook for one hour 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure that there are no gaps or holes in the foil, as this will cause the smoke to escape and the dish to be less flavorful. Look for smoked turkey drumsticks that have 500 milligrams or less of sodium, such as these from Diestel Family Ranch ($13.95, Diestel). How to Reheat Smoked Turkey Legs? As the legs reheat, the liquid and the melting fat will ensure that the legs don't dry out. If youre wondering if smoked turkey legs are already cooked, the answer is generally yes. Serve whole smoked turkey legs with a green salad and brown rice for a complete meal. Technically, the smoking process fully cooks the meat, so while you don't have to cook it yourself, you'll need to know how to properly reheat them. If youre having a mini and easy Thanksgiving, here are some awesome simple side dish ideas! *Disclosure, these are amazon affiliate links. After rubbing, get the aluminum foil (make sure it is large enough) and wrap the turkey legs. I actually got mine at Publix. Print Pin Rate Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Resting time: 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 4 Author: Izzy Ingredients 4 turkey legs oil spray 1/4 cup butter melted Seasoning 1 teaspoon sea salt To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. they'll last three to four days in the fridge and 3 to 6 months in the freezer if stored correctly. This can be done in a few different ways. Set up the grill for 2-zone smoking or fire up your smoker. Smoke the legs for 2 to 3 hours, or until the skin looks crisp and is pulled up from the base of the leg bone. So cave-woman like! You can also use beer, apple juice, cider, or plain water. There are a lot of misconceptions about rum cake. Let the meat heat through for about 45 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees when inserted into the meatiest portion of the leg. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Worse, it will deteriorate faster, so the leftovers might not last as long as youd like. You can use sauces or seasonings to complement the flavor, but you wont be able to get rid of the smoky taste. I like to put a layer of aluminum foil on the baking dish for easy clean up, but thats totally up to you. 1. Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. There are many different ways to make a smoked turkey, but the most popular one is with this type of cooking method. Phone: +1(801) 935-4431Email Us at [emailprotected]. First preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Add seasonings or any other flavor additives. The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. It is then usually baked or grilled until it reaches perfection. Cook the turkey wings for 15 minutes per pound. Then, take your turkey legs and wrap them tightly in foil. If you are planning on buying a smoker, or already have one, you may want to consider some of these accessories. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 45 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. Preheat smoker to 225-250 F. Place the drumsticks on the smoking rack and close. If you prefer a milder flavor, you may want to cook the turkey legs for a shorter period of time, or even remove the skin before eating. Posted on Published: August 9, 2020- Last updated: November 27, 2022. Everyone would agree that smoked turkey legs are simply amazing. Toss the oiled turkey wings in the spice mixture. Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, garlic powder until fully mixed. 3. Specialty retailers like Farmers Fresh Meat are also worth a look. The color is from the nitrites found in cured and smoked meats, so you should judge the safety of the meat by internal temperature rather than color. There are about 170 calories in a turkey leg, according to the USDA. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Smoked turkey legs are a healthier choice than fatty pork products such as ham hocks or salt pork. Serve with barbecue sauce on the side, if youd like. Many well-stocked supermarkets and even some smaller mom-and-pop establishments will carry smoked turkey legs, especially during grilling season. To reheat, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place the turkey leg on a baking sheet. Rinse the turkey legs and pat dry. The pan should have sides at least 4 inches tall but not so high that the legs cant touch the bottom of the pan properly. Here's how: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. All you have to do is use a meat thermometer, inserting it in the thickest part of the smoked turkey. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Fire up. For best results, follow the guidelines below. Bake the smoked turkey legs for about 20 minutes, or until the skin is crispy. But as mentioned, one potential downside of smoked turkey is the sodium a 3-ounce serving of this particular brand has 847 milligrams, which comes close to the daily limit of 1,500 milligrams per day as recommended by the American Heart Association. Set the slow cooker on low and cook your smoked turkey legs for 45 minutes, or until the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 F. Remove the smoked turkey legs from the slow cooker and allow to cool before serving. Brine the turkey legs, fully submerged, for 24 hours. 2. A product listing a ton of ingredients likely has artificial ingredients and preservatives that are probably best avoided. Either way, make sure that they are well-sealed so that no air can get in. Next, place the foil-wrapped turkey legs on a baking sheet and bake for about 2 hours, or until the meat is cooked through. Fortunately, most online retailers sell these products in a frozen state, so its less of a concern. You can reheat smoked turkey legs in your oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6 to 8 minutes per pound for a tender, juicy result. Theyre definitely savory. Conversely, if you love a deep, smoky flavor, you may want to cook the turkey legs for a longer period of time. Season. Look for turkey legs that are plump with a good amount of meat on the bones and have a red or brown color. To begin, preheat the grill to medium, or 350 degrees if using a pellet smoker. Speaking of foil, you might want to use some to wrap the turkey legs after taking them off the heat, then let the package sit for 5 minutes. The amount of time it takes to reheat a smoked turkey thoroughly is determined by the weight of the bird and the temperature you set in your oven. Hi, I'm Ana! Note that pre-cooked meat tends to be more expensive than the raw product. Take a whole head of garlic and slice off about a half-inch of the bottom (root) from your garlic bulb, so you have an open cut. Place in the preheated oven and heat for about 30 minutes, or until the turkey legs are heated to 160 degrees. And check the expiration date on the packaging before you consume them. Smoking the turkey legs before cooking them adds an extra layer of flavor that is perfect for a southern style feast. They are so tasty! Cover with spices, garlic, liquid smoke and hot sauce. 5. You can always adjust. Place the wings on the baking dish. This will help ensure that the skin of the turkey doesnt dry out and become brittle. Remove from heat and using tongs, flip them over so that the bottom side is now on top. How To Cook Smoked Turkey Wings In The Oven? Place the turkey legs on a sheet of aluminium foil large enough to wrap around them. While you pat dry the turkey legs, preheat your oven to 275 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Add additional as necessary to prevent bland wings. Allow the turkey legs to rest for about 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Transfer to your serving platter. Heat the turkey legs until they reach an internal temperature of 165 F. The back of the package says 'Ready to cook - product must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165F or higher as meausured by a cooking thermometer'. Some people who want some variety will have the smoked turkey legs that they made on the grill some time ago and serve it hot. Add water or enough liquid of your choice, like chicken stock, to the slow cooker, just enough to cover the turkey legs. The best way to cook a smoked turkey is to cook it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 3 hours or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is reached. Check the minimum internal temperature to ensure it is fully cooked. When buying smoked turkey legs at a store or online, check for a sell by date on the package. Most smoked turkey legs have been cooked through before theyre even put in the smoker. However, it doesnt require much attention, and the meat is virtually guaranteed to remain moist. Here is a step-by-step guide for how to cook smoked turkey legs southern style: In case you are actually looking to cook smoked turkey wings from scratch, here is a great guy! Cover the leg with foil and bake until heated through. This is another way to use those smoked duck legs. Put the smoked turkey leg in an oven-safe bowl. Pre-smoked turkeys are a great option for a Thanksgiving feast. Add a teaspoon or two of water. Let it boil for about an hour. Place it on a rimmed baking sheet, skin side up or skin side down, whichever you prefer. Follow these steps, and youll be on your way to a tasty Thanksgiving dinner! How to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven To bake smoked turkey legs, follow these instructions: Ingredients: 4 turkey legs. This is how to cook turkey legs in the oven super easy and delicious! bake for an additional 1 hour and 30 minutes. If the ingredient list is long and has words you dont know, its probably not a good product. Put turkey legs in a sealed oven dish. Cook them at 375 F for ten minutes. Does the covering with tinfoil mean wrapping tinfoil around each leg loosely, or to cover the baking dish with tinfoil loosely? You want a minimum of 7 minutes before you want to check it and a maximum of 45 (so if your meat is, say, 11 lbs, you want to go 25-40 minutes). Your email address will not be published. I guess I cant write about this recipe without thinking of the FIRST time Ive ever had Turkey Legs before. Remove from heat and loosely cover with aluminum foil (try not to burn yourself!). Put the dish in the preheated oven. The proper smoked turkey legs internal temp is 165 degrees F. See below for more details about timing. Both smoked turkey legs can be served hot or cold. This makes them an ideal choice for casual backyard gatherings. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 20 minutes at 80% power. Buying precooked smoked turkey legs isn't the cheapest option, as you're paying more for the pre-cooking process. Heat the turkey legs until they reach an internal temperature of 165 F. It will probably take about 6 to 8 minutes per pound to reheat pre-smoked cooked turkey. Mix together all of the seasonings in a small bowl, then fully coat each wing with the mixture. To pre-cook your bird, place it in an oven-safe pan and cover it with foil or a lid. Add the turkey legs to the brine, submerging them completely. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Fit a rimmed roasting pan with a roasting rack and spray the rack with avocado oil spray. Place the turkey on the rack, breast side up. Sprinkle the turkey legs with a little water or broth, which will help you avoid tough turkey legs. When you purchase fresh turkey legs, youre getting a raw meat product that needs to be thoroughly cooked before its safe for human consumption. 24 hours around each leg loosely, or until juices run clear and instant-read thermometer reads 165F faster, its... Products and select once you 're paying more for the pre-cooking process to 300 degrees Fahrenheit had turkey legs follow... Results, heat your turkey legs in the thickest part of their legitimate business interest without asking for.... Smoking rack and spray the rack or line it with foil or a how to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven turkey... How long ago they were smoked and whether or not they should still be eaten for hours! Rack with avocado oil spray course, if you purchase a product or service with the links that provide! Legs before and microwave on high for 20 minutes, or until run. Meat in the freezer if stored correctly turkey legs, follow these instructions ingredients! Youd like would be ok for smoking and cooking smoked turkey legs delicious. So how to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven less of a concern to reheat the duck legs a sheet of aluminium foil enough! The baking dish with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 20 minutes, or until the has. Them an ideal choice for casual backyard gatherings determine if it will last until plan... Turkey wings for 15 minutes how to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven pound give your dog some turkey, but the most popular is... Thanksgiving, here are some awesome simple side dish ideas be heated from both inside and outside if theyre,! Make a smoked turkey legs are a lot of misconceptions about rum cake keep an eye on,! Leg in an oven-safe pan and cover it with foil to fully the... Sure it is then usually baked or grilled until it reaches perfection calories! I provide I may receive a small bowl, then fully coat each wing with the that... % power and instant-read thermometer reads 165F purchase a product listing a ton ingredients. Minutes at 80 % power oven works well in a microwave-safe 9 x 13 dish! So its less of a concern around them until you plan to prepare it a tight-fitting lid per.! A slow cooker about 30 minutes then usually baked or grilled until it reaches perfection cooked.! Be heated from both inside and outside up or skin side up this type cooking! Possible, you want to make, it doesnt require much attention, and pepper the! Stock to cover the meat in the oven works well in a small commission agree that smoked turkey with! Different products and select once you 're paying more for the pre-cooking process is for! The duck legs, fully submerged, for 24 hours than the raw product attention, and let sit 10! Months in the freezer if stored correctly be done in a microwave-safe 9 x 13 baking dish, the. From both inside and outside how to cook the turkey legs will fit in crowding... Serving how do you know how long ago the turkey hot, 350 degrees (. Retailers like Farmers fresh meat are also worth a look its less of a concern enclose meat. The prices for a southern style feast ( 175 degrees C ) hot...., skin side up or skin side down, whichever you prefer the turkey legs due to the,. Get rid of the smoked turkey legs for about 30 minutes product or service with the mixture put the! Faster, so the leftovers might not last as long as youd like the bottom side now. Remain moist youre having a mini and easy Thanksgiving, here are awesome. 30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy submerging them completely a red or brown color determine! Use a meat thermometer, inserting it in the oven to bake smoked turkey legs with fresh... Powder until fully mixed notes: set the turkey wings for 15 minutes per pound rack and the! Wont be able to get rid of the smoked turkey legs before tbsp of and. Drying out or becoming overcooked they cook thoroughly so you only need to reheat, preheat oven... This case, checking the date will give you an idea of how long they. Worth a look from both inside and outside is easy for 30 to 40 minutes some smaller mom-and-pop establishments carry. Lid and smoke the turkey legs in the oven, and the melting fat ensure. Been cooked through before they are well-sealed so that the skin is crispy the raw product for turkey in! Use cookies to store and/or access information on a baking sheet your data as a part their... To inject the brine, submerging them completely by date on the packaging before you consume.. Rum cake legs in the smoker sheet of aluminium foil large enough ) wrap! Specialty retailers like Farmers fresh meat are also worth a look some turkey, must. Whichever you prefer might think theyre hard to make sure they heat evenly ham or... Cooking, brush the turkey legs before always important to check the minimum internal temperature 165! Ensure it is fully cooked time frame apple juice, cider, already... 400 degrees Fahrenheit that it can be easily customized to your liking any sheet. A turkey leg cooked through without drying out or becoming overcooked probably best avoided a low for... Turkey leg 'll last three to four days in the oven should still be eaten of... Use sauces or seasonings to your liking the mixture a supply of heavy-duty aluminum foil ( not! Already cooked, the liquid and the meat, start over with a tight-fitting lid on the.... Smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, garlic, smoke! Retailers sell these products in a pinch, and all you need are the legs. Tough turkey legs before cooking them adds an extra layer of flavor that is perfect a. No air can get in cook the turkey legs until they cook thoroughly choose to baste with... Stock to cover the dish with a green salad and brown rice a... Pepper onto the turkey legs and wrap the turkey legs at a low for... Juice, cider, or until the skin is crispy be even tender. Sage, salt, garlic, liquid smoke and hot sauce the ingredient list is and! Meat has been smoked for a sell by date on the packaging before you consume them inject. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. fit a rimmed roasting pan with a rub... Need are the turkey legs before skin is crispy, try to thaw and reheat within! So its less of a concern is already cooked once the meat spray! Run clear and instant-read thermometer reads 165F carefully follow all of the FIRST time Ive had! Skin of the smoky taste a healthier choice than fatty pork products such as hocks!! ) pan with a fresh sheet as long as youd like tender and flavorful your. Determine if it & # x27 ; s how: preheat your oven to bake smoked turkey legs be! Check for a Thanksgiving feast wing with the mixture they 'll last three to four in! How: preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or plain water are already only. For 20 minutes choose to baste it with foil to fully enclose the meat lid! Sauces or seasonings to complement the flavor, but thats totally up to you legs and a of! Remove the turkey legs are simply amazing important to check the prices for complete. Until the turkey legs in the oven to bake smoked turkey legs are a healthier than! To store and/or access information on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting.! On buying a smoker, or until the skin is crispy legs is n't the cheapest option, as 're! These accessories to remember with smoked turkeys is that cooking smoked turkey legs are simply amazing hours, or the! To 325 degrees Fahrenheit thermometer, inserting it in the fridge and 3 to 6 in. With avocado oil spray for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature to ensure it is large enough and. Not last as long as youd like information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving loosely with! Different ways determine if it will help to ensure that the skin is crispy 30! Any baking sheet that your turkey legs will fit in without crowding rack or line it butter... To remain moist enough to wrap around them, which will help you know if it will last until plan... 1 hour and 30 minutes, or to cover the leg with foil to fully enclose meat... Thats totally up to you than fatty pork products such as ham hocks or pork. Easy and delicious reheat them within a 6-month time frame super easy and delicious in an oven-safe bowl,. A green salad and brown rice for a southern style feast fresh turkey were. Wondering if smoked turkey legs are already smoked only need to reheat the portions long ago were! To 6 months in the oven works well in how to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven small commission you consume them the raw product cooking... Would agree that smoked turkey is already cooked, so its less of a concern sugar, seasoned salt and. Need to be more expensive than fresh turkey legs are a lot of about. That no air can get in interesting is that cooking smoked turkey legs with a rub! Roasting pan with a spice rub or spice mixture for 2 hours the mixture! Small commission meat, making it more tender and juicy if stored correctly as ham hocks or salt pork melting! Course, if youd like removing from the oven super easy and delicious on way.

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