How to Smoke Turkey Legs on a Traeger Grill (With Tips and Tricks)

Smoked Turkey Legs on a Traeger: A Delicious and Easy Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the main course. For many people, that means a smoked turkey. But if you’re looking for something a little different this year, why not try smoked turkey legs?

Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and easy way to add a touch of flavor and excitement to your Thanksgiving feast. They’re also very easy to cook on a Traeger grill. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have perfectly smoked turkey legs in no time.

In this article, we’ll show you how to smoke turkey legs on a Traeger grill. We’ll give you tips on choosing the right turkey legs, smoking them to perfection, and serving them with all the fixings. So if you’re ready to try something new this Thanksgiving, give smoked turkey legs a try!

Ingredients	Instructions	Tips
2 large turkey legs 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper	Preheat your Traeger grill to 225 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the marinade. Place the turkey legs in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Remove the turkey legs from the marinade and place them on a baking sheet. Smoke the turkey legs for 3-4 hours, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Let the turkey legs rest for 10 minutes before serving.	For a more flavorful marinade, use a combination of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard. If you don’t have a Traeger grill, you can also smoke the turkey legs in a smoker or oven. Serve the turkey legs with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread.

Introduction

Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and easy way to cook turkey. They are perfect for a holiday meal or a backyard barbecue. This recipe uses a Traeger grill or smoker to create juicy, flavorful turkey legs that everyone will love.

Equipment and Ingredients

* Traeger grill or smoker
* Turkey legs
* Wood chips (hickory, oak, or apple)
* Salt
* Pepper
* Optional seasonings (such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper)

Preparation

1. Rinse the turkey legs and pat them dry.
2. Season the turkey legs with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
3. Place the turkey legs on the smoker and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking Instructions

The cooking time for smoked turkey legs will vary depending on the size of the legs and the temperature of the smoker. For smaller legs, you can cook them for about 2 hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. For larger legs, you may need to cook them for up to 4 hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the turkey legs have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove them from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Smoking Turkey Legs

* To ensure that the turkey legs are cooked evenly, make sure to rotate them every hour or so.
* If you want to add a smoky flavor to the turkey legs, you can soak them in a brine made with apple cider vinegar and water for several hours before smoking them.
* You can also add wood chips to the smoker to create a more intense smoky flavor.

Conclusion

Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and easy way to cook turkey. They are perfect for a holiday meal or a backyard barbecue. This recipe uses a Traeger grill or smoker to create juicy, flavorful turkey legs that everyone will love.

Preparing the Turkey Legs

The first step to smoking turkey legs is to prepare them. This involves removing the skin, trimming the fat, and brining the legs.

Removing the Skin

The skin on turkey legs is thick and tough, so it is best to remove it before smoking. To do this, use a sharp knife to cut around the edge of the skin and then pull it away from the meat. Be careful not to tear the meat.

Trimming the Fat

The fat on turkey legs can make them greasy and tough. To avoid this, trim off any excess fat before smoking. You can do this with a sharp knife or kitchen shears.

Brining the Legs

Brining is a process of soaking meat in a saltwater solution. This helps to tenderize the meat and add flavor. To brine the turkey legs, mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of brown sugar. Add the turkey legs to the brine and let them soak for 8-12 hours.

Smoking the Turkey Legs

Once the turkey legs are brined, they are ready to be smoked. Smoking is a slow cooking process that uses indirect heat to cook the meat. This results in a smoky, flavorful turkey leg that is moist and tender.

To smoke the turkey legs, you will need a smoker or a grill that can be used for smoking. You will also need wood chips for smoking.

To smoke the turkey legs, follow these steps:

1. Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the turkey legs on the smoker grate.
3. Smoke the turkey legs for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Baste the turkey legs with melted butter or apple juice every hour or so.
5. Keep an eye on the turkey legs and adjust the temperature as needed to prevent them from burning.

Resting the Turkey Legs

After the turkey legs are cooked, let them rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to become more tender.

Serving the Turkey Legs

Turkey legs are delicious served on their own or with your favorite sides. Some popular side dishes for smoked turkey legs include:

* Mashed potatoes
* Corn on the cob
* Collard greens
* Sweet potato casserole
* Baked beans

Smoking turkey legs is a delicious and easy way to cook a flavorful and tender meal. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy smoked turkey legs at your next cookout or holiday gathering.

Q: What is the best temperature to smoke turkey legs on a Traeger?

A: The ideal temperature for smoking turkey legs on a Traeger is between 225F and 250F. This will allow the meat to cook slowly and evenly, while still resulting in a juicy and flavorful end product.

Q: How long does it take to smoke turkey legs on a Traeger?

A: The cooking time for turkey legs will vary depending on their size and thickness. However, a good rule of thumb is to plan on smoking them for about 3-4 hours per pound.

Q: What wood should I use to smoke turkey legs on a Traeger?

A: There are many different woods that can be used to smoke turkey legs on a Traeger, but some of the best options include apple, cherry, hickory, and oak. These woods will impart a delicious flavor and aroma to the meat, while also helping to keep it moist and juicy.

Q: What is the best way to baste turkey legs while smoking them on a Traeger?

A: Basting turkey legs while they are smoking will help to keep them moist and flavorful. You can baste them with a variety of different sauces or rubs, but some of the best options include apple cider vinegar, honey, and melted butter.

Q: How do I know when turkey legs are done smoking on a Traeger?

A: The best way to tell when turkey legs are done smoking on a Traeger is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 165F when it is cooked through.

Q: What are some tips for smoking turkey legs on a Traeger?

A: Here are a few tips for smoking turkey legs on a Traeger:

* Use a high-quality wood for smoking.
* Baste the turkey legs regularly with a flavorful sauce or rub.
* Smoke the turkey legs for a long enough time to ensure that they are cooked through.
* Let the turkey legs rest for a few minutes before serving.

By following these tips, you can smoke delicious and flavorful turkey legs on your Traeger grill.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to smoke turkey legs on a Traeger grill. We covered everything from choosing the right turkey legs to smoking them to perfection. We hope that you found this information helpful and that you enjoy smoking your own turkey legs this holiday season.

Here are a few key takeaways:

* When choosing turkey legs, look for ones that are plump and meaty.
* The best wood for smoking turkey legs is applewood or hickory.
* The ideal temperature for smoking turkey legs is between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Smoke the turkey legs for about 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Let the turkey legs rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

We hope you enjoy this delicious and flavorful dish!