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    Home » Recipes » Grill Recipes » Smoker Recipes » Pellet Smoker Turkey Legs

    Pellet Smoker Turkey Legs

    Published: Nov 12, 2022 · Modified: Dec 28, 2022 by Jenna Passaro · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Traeger smoked turkey legs recipe images with text overlay Sip Bite Go

    See how to make Traeger smoked turkey legs on the pellet grill with this easy recipe guide. They’re kinda like a Disney smoked turkey legs copycat, but even better because you make ‘em in your own backyard! Let’s smoke ‘em…

    Traeger smoked turkey legs
    This recipe is great for making extra Thanksgiving smoked foods that everyone can enjoy. 

    No smoker? You can bake turkey legs…

    It’s simple math, there’s never enough smoked turkey legs to go around the Thanksgiving table when you smoke a whole turkey…

    They’re also great for a BBQ game day main dish.

    Table of Contents

    • Why Smoked Turkey Legs are nice to make…
    • Ingredients
    • These are like a copycat Disney turkey leg recipe
    • How to smoke turkey legs
    • See more on smoked foods for the holidays
    • FAQs 
    • More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes
    • Meat thermometer recommendations
    • Are you a foodie, too?
    • BEST Traeger Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe | Sip Bite Go

    Why Smoked Turkey Legs are nice to make…

    • The smoky flavor! Turkey legs pick up a ton of smoke flavor which you’ll enjoy for sure. In this smoked turkey leg recipe, I used hickory pellets (wood chips or wood chunks work too). 
    • Quick prep work! Whether you decide to brine your turkey legs or not, you can have the turkey legs prepped and seasoned within 30 minutes with no problem.
    • Use your favorite BBQ rub or this Traeger Fin And Feather Rub.
    • It’s simple! If you just want some dark meat turkey, this is a great alternative to smoking an entire turkey. 
    • Copycat Disney recipe! If you’ve had the famous Disney turkey leg, you can easily use this recipe to copycat Disney foodie vibes. My recommendation is to wrap smoked turkey legs in foil and keep warm prior to serving. This helps steam the turkey leg a bit which is how Disney does it. 
    Cooking Traeger pellet smoker turkey legs Sip Bite Go

    If you are new to smoked food recipes and Traeger recipes?

    Smoking turkey legs and wings on the Traeger pellet grill Sip Bite Go

    Also see the Sip Bite Go recipe for smoked turkey wings...

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you need to make Smoked Turkey Legs.

    Infographic with Ingredients make this smoked Disney turkey legs copycat recipe
    • turkey legs
    • BBQ or Poultry rub seasoning
    • olive oil 
    • melted butter

    Try making this cranberry BBQ sauce…

    BBQ rub seasoned turkey legs Sip Bite Go

    Get my easy smoked food recipes for Thanksgiving, game day, and more on Instagram and TikTok

    These are like a copycat Disney turkey leg recipe

    Man eating BBQ Smoked Turkey Leg at Disney Sip Bite Go

    On social you’ll also see us eating those famous Disney smoked BBQ turkey legs at Disneyland / Disney World.

    Jenna Passaro food blogger eating famouse smoked bbq Disney turkey leg recipe
    Doing my research for these copycat ​​Disney smoked turkey legs… in Disneyland… this one is from the Edelweiss Snacks food cart.

    I’ll have more Disney copycat recipes coming soon!

    If you’re a Disney food fan, or just love theme parks, follow me on Instagram @jennalovesmagic

    How to smoke turkey legs

    Now I’ll walk you through it…

    Infographic demonstrating How to smoke turkey legs in the Traeger pellet grill Sip Bite Go

    Quick look at Smoked Turkey Legs recipe

    1. Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F and prepare turkey legs by patting them dry and covering them with seasoning. 
    2. Smoke turkey legs at 250 degrees for 90 minutes until the internal temp reaches 150 degrees F.
    3. Finish smoking turkey legs by basting with melted butter and increasing the smoker temp to 450 degrees F for 10 – 15 minutes.
    4. Remove turkey legs once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and enjoy.
    Traeger Smoked Turkey Legs Dinner Plate Sip Bite Go

    See the best game day smoker recipes…

    Detailed recipe steps

    1. Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 250 degrees F. 
    2. Prep turkey legs for smoking by patting them dry with a paper towel and brushing with olive oil. 
    3. Season turkey legs with BBQ or poultry rub of your choice and place in the refrigerator up to overnight if you have the time. 
    4. Smoke room temperature turkey legs for 90 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 150 – 155 degrees F.
    5. Baste turkey legs with melted butter.  
    6. Increase smoker temperature to 450 degrees F and continue smoking turkey legs until done at an internal temperature of 165 – 175 degrees F
    7. Let turkey legs rest and enjoy!
    Traeger smoked turkey legs with a smoke ring inside Sip Bite Go
    Poultry smoked on the pellet grill picks up such a beautiful smoke ring.

    For a smoked side dish, try these smoked jalapeno poppers, smoked mac and cheese or smoked mashed potatoes.

    See more on smoked foods for the holidays

    1 – See the Sip Bite Go review of Traeger Turkey pellets.

    2 – See what’s in the turkey brine kit.

    3 – Check out these tasty holiday dishes to smoke on the pellet grill…

    • Smoked ham 
    • Smoked turkey breast
    • Smoked turkey legs
    • Smoked turkey wings
    • Smoked mac and cheese
    • Smoked mashed potatoes
    • Smoked asparagus
    • Smoked apple pie
    • See more turkey recipes
    • Check out the best smoked foods for a Traeger Thanksgiving dinner

    FAQs 

    How long to smoke turkey legs?

    In this recipe, it took almost two hours to smoke one pound turkey legs directly on the grill grates. You are cooking to temperature, so timing will differ based on the size of your turkey legs and the temperature that you hold your smoker. 

    When are smoked turkey legs done?

    Smoked turkey legs are done when they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F measured in the thickest part. Since turkey legs are dark meat, you can smoke them up to 175 degrees F internally. At this temperature the meat breaks down further making it fall off the bone. 

    How to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven?

    If you’re planning to reheat a smoked turkey leg, you should do so using the oven. Set the oven to 350 degrees F and place it on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven until it’s warm throughout. 

    Should I brine turkey legs?

    Brining turkey legs is up to you. In this Sip Bite Go recipe, I did a NO brine method. Just a dry rub which I allowed it to adhere for several hours in the fridge before smoking. 

    If you are going to brine your turkey legs, you’ll need kosher salt, cold water, sugar, peppercorns, and some sort of acid like lemon for example. Mix all of these ingredients together to combine then place your turkey legs into the brine mixture using a container that you can close the lid or using a resealable plastic bag. 
    After 12 – 24 hours in the fridge, remove the turkey legs from the brine, pat dry, and season before you smoke the turkey legs.

    What kind of ways can you cook turkey legs?

    You can smoke them as you’ll see in this recipe. Alternatively, you could sous vide turkey legs. Another option is to grill turkey legs using a gas or charcoal grill or finally you can bake turkey legs in the oven. If you want to differentiate, try air frying turkey legs. 

    What pellets do you use to smoke turkey legs?

    Poultry in the smoker picks up a lot of flavor, so you don’t need something as intense as hickory and mesquite pellets to get a rich smoke taste.

    Try fruity pellets like cherry or apple. 

    Or for a rosemary taste, try these Traeger turkey pellets.

    Smoking turkey legs in bulk on the Traeger grill Sip Bite Go

    More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes

    • Smoked mac and cheese
    • Smoked cream cheese
    • Smoked brisket flat
    • 321 ribs
    • Beer can chicken on the smoker
    • Smoked wings
    • Smoked tomahawk steak
    • Traeger tri tip
    • Smoked turkey breast
    • Smoked turkey legs
    • Whole smoked turkey
    • Smoked Traeger pizza
    • Smoked onion rings
    • Traeger smoked ham
    • Smoked whole chicken
    • Smoked jalapeno poppers
    • Smoked corn on the cob
    • Traeger beef ribs
    • Smoked leg of lamb
    • Smoked shrimp
    • Grilled chicken wings
    • Grilled skirt steak
    • Flank steak marinade
    • Grilled potato wedges
    • Smoked pulled pork
    • Want more? See my lineup of easy smoker recipes

    See this Traeger Flatrock grill review.

    See my favorite smoker tools and seasonings in my Amazon Storefront.

    Meat thermometer recommendations

    Every home chef needs a reliable meat thermometer to cook food perfectly. 

    On Sip Bite Go, you’ll often see me using:

    1. Meater thermometer – a fancy wireless thermometer that connects to a phone app – gifted to me from a Traeger partnership.
    2. ThermoPro digital thermometer – which has a wire that connects the thermometer to a display box outside the oven/grill. 

    It’s like being psychic! The great thing about either of the thermometers above is that I don’t have to take the food out of the oven to know the temperature. 

    How to use ‘em… What I do is stick the digital thermometer in steak, pork, chicken, whatever… Then put the food in the oven, on the smoker, or grill.

    While the meat cooks, it reads the temperature so I know exactly what temp meat is as it’s cooking. Without having to take it out and check. It’s really difficult to overcook food when you know exactly what temp it is inside!

    Are you a foodie, too?

    Hey home chefs, hope that answers all your questions about Smoked Turkey Legs. 

    See how to get more smoke flavor from your favorite Traeger dishes…

    Connect…

    • Instagram / TikTok / YouTube
    • Browse the Sip Bite Go recipe collection
    Traeger smoked turkey legs

    BEST Traeger Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe | Sip Bite Go

    See how to make Traeger smoked turkey legs on the pellet grill with this easy recipe guide. They’re kinda like a Disney smoked turkey legs copycat, but even better because you make ‘em in your own backyard! Perfect for extra Thanksgiving smoked foods at the BBQ. | sipbitego.com
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Main Dish
    Cuisine: BBQ
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Servings: 3 people
    Calories: 690kcal
    Author: Jenna Passaro

    Equipment

    • Traeger Mesquite Pellets
    • Traeger Pellet Grill Ironwood 650
    • Meater Plus Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 3 LB turkey legs about 1 LB each
    • 3 tbsp BBQ rub or any or poultry seasoning
    • 3 tsp olive oil
    • 3 tbsp butter melted

    Instructions

    • Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 250 degrees F.
    • Prep turkey legs for smoking by patting them dry with a paper towel and brushing them with olive oil.
    • Season turkey legs with BBQ or poultry rub of your choice and place in the refrigerator up to overnight if you have the time.
    • Smoke room temperature turkey legs for 90 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 150 – 155 degrees F.
    • Baste turkey legs with melted butter.
    • Increase smoker temperature to 450 degrees F and continue smoking turkey legs until done at an internal temperature of 165 – 175 degrees F
    • Let smoked turkey legs rest and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    See the recipe: https://sipbitego.com/smoked-turkey-legs
    Watch the full-length YouTube recipe video for Smoked Turkey Legs on Sip Bite Go’s YouTube channel.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 74g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 297mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 1059mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 466IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 8mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SipBiteGo or tag #sipbitego!
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    jenna passaro food blogger from Portland Oregon

    Hey, I’m Jenna Passaro.

    I develop easy recipes that can transform your kitchen into a restaurant – and you into a true home chef.

      

    Where to start?

    Learn the secrets to smoking tasty Traeger recipes and making pizza at home. And cook amazing tri tip steak dinners.

    Or, fall in love with something new to cook with your air fryer, pellet smoker, BBQ grill, sous vide cooker, and more…

    You’ll notice, I kind of geek out over new cooking trends and tools!

    Instagram me @sipbitego & chef hubs @handmodelpatrick

    My story. Growing up, I didn’t learn to cook.

    (I was actually banned from cooking for years)

    And then in my 20’s I didn’t have to cook because my job as an event planner involved a lot of travel and it was easier to eat out. At the time, I was 100% positive that restaurant food would always taste better than cooking at home, and there was nothing I could do about it.

    Until I fell in love with a chef. He would come over and cook me delicious meals right in my own kitchen. My mind was blown.

    Since then, I’ve been on a mission to figure out easy ways to make restaurant style food at home and share it here on Sip Bite Go.

    Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

    jenna passaro the home chef's sous vide cookbook

    Never in a million years did I imagine I’d ditch the 9-5 lifestyle in my late 20’s, move across the country on a whim, start a new life, start a food blog, and write a book.

    But here I am!

    See my book on Amazon: The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

     

       

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