Smoked turkey drumsticks make a wonderfully nutritious addition to any meal. Technically, the smoking process fully cooks the meat, so while you dont have to cook it yourself, youll need to know how to properly reheat them.
Reheating turkey drumsticks is pretty simple, and the best way to do it is in the oven at a roasting temperature. You want to be careful not to use high heat, or your turkey legs will come out tough and dry.
Fortunately, cooking smoked turkey legs to tender, juicy perfect isnt difficult — it just involves a little patience and a few simple rules.
Turkey, whether youre cooking it at home or it comes pre-cooked and smoked, is safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, per the USDA.
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.
Frick’s smoked turkey legs are a classic fair and festival food that have been enjoyed for decades. With their iconic wood-fired flavor and juicy, tender meat, they have become a staple at outdoor events across the country. But cooking these smoked turkey legs properly at home can seem intimidating to novice cooks.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to cook Frick’s smoked turkey legs perfectly every time.
A Brief History of Frick’s Smoked Turkey Legs
The Frick family has been producing high-quality smoked meats in Washington Missouri since 1938. They started with hams and bacon before expanding into poultry like turkey legs and wings. Frick’s uses a time-honored hardwood smoking process to naturally enhance the flavor of the meat.
Smoked turkey legs grew in popularity at medieval fairs and festivals, where they were considered a delicious delicacy. The tradition was brought over to the United States and became a favorite fair and carnival food. Frick’s smoked turkey legs are now an iconic food enjoyed at outdoor events across the country by people of all ages.
How to Choose Your Frick’s Smoked Turkey Legs
Frick’s smoked turkey legs are sold pre-cooked and fully smoked. They come frozen in 1 pound packages containing two legs. When choosing your package, look for:
- Tight, undamaged packaging
- No signs of freezer burn
- Legs that are plump and meaty
- Expiration date at least 2 weeks away
Properly stored in the freezer Frick’s smoked turkey legs will keep for 4-6 months. Once thawed they should be eaten within 5 days.
Thawing Frick’s Smoked Turkey Legs
For even cooking, it is important to properly thaw the frozen turkey legs before cooking. There are three safe methods:
- Refrigerator: Place legs in a bowl to catch drips. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
- Cold Water: Submerge packaged legs in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Takes 2-3 hours.
- Microwave: Place legs on a microwave-safe plate, cover, and microwave on defrost setting. Takes 15-20 minutes.
Once thawed, pat the legs dry thoroughly with paper towels before cooking.
Seasoning and Flavoring
While Frick’s smoked turkey legs have a lovely subtle smoky flavor, seasoning and marinades can take them to the next level. Consider the following flavor ideas:
- Dry Rub: Smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder.
- Jerk Marinade: Allspice, thyme, clove, jalapeño, lime zest.
- Herb Butter: Fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, lemon zest.
- Spicy BBQ: Cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, Worcestershire.
Marinate legs for 2-4 hours or apply rub right before cooking. Brush with glaze or sauce in last 15 minutes of cooking.
Cooking Methods for Frick’s Smoked Turkey Legs
There are several excellent cooking methods to achieve tender, juicy, flavorful Frick’s smoked turkey legs:
Oven Roasting
The simplest cooking method, oven roasting uses dry ambient heat to cook the legs evenly.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line sheet pan with foil.
- Arrange legs on pan, not touching. Brush with oil or butter.
- Roast 60-90 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
- For crispy skin, broil 2-3 minutes at end.
Grilling/Smoking
The grill or smoker adds great charred flavor and enhances the smoky essence.
- Prepare grill or smoker to 225-250°F. Use mesquite, hickory or apple wood.
- Grill/smoke legs for 1-2 hours, basting with sauce, until 165°F.
- Increase heat to crisp skin at end.
Air Frying
The air fryer makes the legs incredibly crispy outside and juicy inside.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Brush legs with oil.
- Air fry 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165°F.
- Brush with oil if needed to prevent drying out.
Sous Vide
Sous vide cooking in sealed bags creates incredibly moist and tender legs.
- Season legs and vacuum seal in bags.
- Cook at 165°F water bath for 8-10 hours.
- Finish by broiling or air frying to crisp skin.
Determining Doneness
It is critical to cook Frick’s smoked turkey legs to the proper internal temperature to ensure safety and the best texture. Use these methods to test for doneness:
- Instant read thermometer: Insert into thickest part of leg without touching bone. Temperature should be 165°F.
- Pierce with fork: Meat should be very tender and juices run clear.
- Look for shrinkage: Skin will tighten around leg when fully cooked.
Undercooked legs will be chewy and pink inside. Overcooked legs will be dried out. Following the recommended cooking times and temperatures will ensure perfect doneness.
Letting the Turkey Legs Rest
An important final step is allowing the cooked turkey legs to rest 5-10 minutes before eating. This allows juices to redistribute through the meat for a moist, tender texture. Tent loosely with foil while resting to keep warm.
Serving Suggestions
Frick’s smoked turkey legs make a great entree or appetizer. Consider these serving ideas:
- Pair with classic sides like mashed potatoes, cornbread, coleslaw.
- Offer an array of dipping sauces: BBQ, ranch, honey mustard.
- Stuff in sandwiches or wraps with veggies and cheese.
- Slice meat off the bones and use in casseroles or pot pies.
- Dice or shred for salads, nachos, pizza, omelets.
Getting creative with leftovers prevents any waste. The delicious smoked meat works in many dishes.
Safety Tips
When handling and cooking Frick’s smoked turkey legs, follow these safety guidelines:
- Refrigerate legs immediately after purchase and use within 5 days of thawing.
- Wash hands, prep surfaces, and utensils after handling raw legs.
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
- Refrigerate cooked leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
- Reheat cooked legs to 165°F. Only reheat once.
Cooking the Perfect Frick’s Smoked Turkey Legs
Frick’s smoked turkey legs are a classic festival food that can be enjoyed perfectly cooked at home. Allow ample time to safely thaw and prep the legs. Season generously and use the oven, grill, or air fryer to cook through to 165°F. Rest before serving with creative sides and sauces. When handled properly, these smoked turkey legs make an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. So fire up your cooking equipment and enjoy this delicious barbecue staple at your next gathering!
Other Ways to Cook Smoked Turkey Drumsticks
It doesnt get much more convenient than putting your cooked smoked turkey drumsticks in the air fryer for a perfectly crispy outside and wonderfully tender inside.
Heres how to use your air fryer to cook smoked turkey legs:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 F.
- Place the smoked turkey legs in the air fryer basket.
- Air-fry the turkey legs for about 5 minutes, then open the air fryer to turn the legs so they heat through evenly.
- Cook the turkey legs for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until they reach your desired crispness.
Another way you can heat up smoked turkey drumsticks is putting them in the slow cooker with some liquid, which will help the meat come out tender and juicy. Heres how:
- Place your smoked turkey drumsticks in the slow cooker.
- Add just enough water or broth to cover the turkey legs and place the lid on the slow cooker. enough liquid of your choice, like chicken stock, to the slow cooker, just enough to cover the turkey legs.
- 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.
How to Cook Smoked Turkey Legs in the Oven
The best way to prepare pre-cooked smoked turkey legs is to put them in the oven to roast at a low temperature.
According to the USDA, heres how to reheat cooked turkey legs:
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- On a large baking sheet, place down a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap your smoked turkey drumsticks in.
- Sprinkle the turkey legs with a little water or broth, which will help you avoid tough turkey legs.
- 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. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Avoiding Tough Turkey Legs
You dont want your smoked turkey legs to come out tough and dry. To avoid it, sprinkle them with a liquid like water or broth before wrapping them in foil and cooking them in the oven.
Oven Baked Smoked Turkey Legs/Drums
FAQ
How to cook fricks smoked turkey legs?
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place wings or drums in a covered dish with enough liquid of your choice (we like chicken broth) to keep them moist while heating. For a single turkey wing or drumstick, heat at 350°F for 45 minutes. For multiple wings and drumsticks, heat at 350°F for 15 minutes per pound.
How to cook smoked turkey legs from the store?
Smoke at 225° for a two hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Once the turkey leg reaches 145°F increase the temperature of the smoker to 275°F and brush bbq sauce on the turkey. Continue cooking until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How do you heat up fully cooked smoked turkey legs?
Storage – Store any leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheating – To reheat, place in a baking dish and cover with a loosely fitted piece of foil. Place in a 350°F oven and warm for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until heated through.
Are store-bought smoked turkey legs fully cooked?
Our smoked turkey legs (or smoked turkey drumsticks) are slowly fully cooked over seven hours and are naturally hickory wood smoked. Simply heat and serve for a quick, flavorful meal. Each case contains 10 packages of smoked turkey hen drumsticks that weight approximately 2 lbs each.
How to cook smoked turkey legs in the oven?
To cook already smoked turkey legs in the oven, you will need: Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 3. Brush the turkey legs with olive oil. 4. Sprinkle the turkey legs with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 5.
How long do smoked turkey legs take to cook?
The cooking time for smoked turkey legs in the oven can vary depending on the size and thickness of the legs, as well as the temperature you choose to cook at. As a general guideline, smoking turkey legs in the oven can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours at a temperature of 325°F (163°C).
Can you cook smoked turkey legs on a grill?
Smoked turkey legs cook well on a medium grill. You’ll want to preheat it so it’s at the right temperature when you place the smoked turkey legs on it. To make sure the turkey legs do not stick to the grill, you can brush the legs with a little oil, or you may choose to brush the grill with oil.
How do you cook smoked turkey legs in an air fryer?
The fact that the turkey legs are smoked means that they have lots of smokey flavor, and you don’t need to add sauce or seasonings. Preheat the air fryer to 375 F. Put the smoked turkey legs in the basket and cook them for 10 minutes, turning the meat after 5 minutes. Check for doneness with an instant-read meat thermometer.
How to cook store bought smoked turkey legs?
Here you can learn how to cook store bought smoked turkey legs it is easy, and possible by a number of methods. Using only a few items, you can cook smoked turkey legs in a conventional oven, in a slow cooker, microwave, an air fryer, or even on the grill.
How do you smoke a pre smoked turkey leg?
Even though turkey legs come pre smoked, smoking them again really wakes up the smoke flavor. Season the turkey with an all purpose bbq rub and smoke at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. I used my pellet smoker with apple wood pellets.