Turkey legs rubbed with salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves smoked over hickory wood.
There is always room for turkey legs on the menu. Smoked, roasted, or fried this dish might take a little prep and have a long cooking time but they are well worth it.
Turkey legs are something I regularly incorporate into my meal planning. They go really well with any side, they’re lean and are flavor-packed. I used to wait around for the holidays for turkey but not anymore. Turkey legs I serve year-round especially in the furthest months away from the holidays. They satisfy the void left behind. In the off-season, I try out different injections, seasoning rubs, and side pairings prior to the holidays just for a leg up. The year-round practice makes the holiday season a breeze.
Check out my tips and tricks below for the best hickory-smoked turkey legs. Try this recipe out and let me know what you think.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST HICKORY SMOKED TURKEY LEGS
classic rub: you can never go wrong with a classic rub. so stick with what you know. if you would roast turkey with it try it in the smoker. a little smoke boosts the overall flavor. go easy on fresh herbs since they can become a little medicinal.
smoke: for my turkey legs i used hickory wood. feel free to use other wood like hickory, pecan, or my absolute favorite for turkey, apple. different wood gives off a different flavor profile so do a little research before hauling wood home.
butter finish: the turkey is done once it comes out of the smoker. once the turkey is at 165F feel free to have at it. to really set it off i like to finish mine in the oven with butter, wine, and some more herbs. just to ensure it to be juicy and tender.
SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO:
ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH:
INGREDIENTS
- 4 Turkey Legs
- Salt
- 1Tb Thyme
- 1Tb Rosemary
- 1Tb Garlic Powder
- 2tsp Black Pepper
- 2tsp Paprika
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1c White Wine
- 5Tb Butter
- 1 Thyme Sprig, fresh
- 1tsp Rosemary, fresh
- 5 Garlic Cloves, minced
INSTRUCTIONS
- Season the turkey legs generously with salt.
- Add on the additional seasonings of garlic powder, pepper, paprika, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Let sit for 20 minutes.
- Place into a smoker using hickory wood once the smoker is at 225F.
- Smoke for 5-6 hours.
- In a baking sheet add in wine, rosemary, garlic, thyme and butter.
- Place turkey in the baking sheet. Wrap in foil and bake at 350F for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Baste in the pan liquid and serve.
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