Grilled Turkey Legs are a fun take on Thanksgiving dinner! These Caveman Pops are moist and flavorful with a simple brine and so easy to cook on the grill!
It’ll just be G and me at home for Thanksgiving this year so we’re not even going to bother with a full-on roasted turkey for our holiday dinner. Instead, we’re getting our turkey fix from grilled turkey legs which we took on a couple of sample runs this week and absolutely loved!
We experimented with a variety of marinades in our recipe testings but a basic brine of salt and brown sugar was the clear winner for us. The meat came out moist and flavorful and the lack of additional trappings really allowed the smokey taste to shine through.
Grilled turkey legs are a classic summertime treat that can often be found at fairs, carnivals, and cookouts. With their tantalizing aroma, crispy charred exterior, and tender, juicy meat, it’s easy to see why they are so beloved. But achieving grill-worthy turkey legs at home can seem daunting. One secret to grilling up plump, flavorful turkey legs is to parboil them first. But how long should you boil turkey legs before tossing them on the grill?
Why You Should Boil Turkey Legs Before Grilling
Parboiling, or partially boiling, turkey legs before grilling offers several advantages:
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It cooks the legs partially, ensuring they finish quickly and evenly on the grill. No more battling undercooked meat near the bones!
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The hot water helps break down collagen in the legs, making the meat tender and juicy.
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Boiling allows seasonings and aromatics to permeate the meat adding loads of flavor.
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Pre-cooking by boiling provides a margin of error in case the turkey legs overcook a bit on the grill.
How Long Should You Boil Turkey Legs?
Most recipes recommend boiling turkey legs for 30-60 minutes prior to grilling. The boiling time can vary based on the size and thickness of the drumsticks. Here are some general guidelines:
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Small turkey legs: 30-45 minutes.
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Medium turkey legs: 45-60 minutes.
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Large, thick turkey legs: 60-90 minutes.
For the juiciest results, it’s best to boil turkey legs for at least 45-60 minutes to allow the heat to penetrate to the middle while the broth seasons the meat. For extremely fall-off-the-bone texture, you can boil them up to 2 hours, but the meat may shred and slip off easily when handling.
Tips for Boiling Turkey Legs
Follow these tips for properly parboiling turkey legs before tossing them on the grill:
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Use a large stockpot and add enough cool water to submerge the legs fully.
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Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Don’t let it boil rapidly.
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Weigh the legs down with a plate if needed to keep them fully immersed.
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Add aromatics like onions, garlic, citrus, herbs, and spices to the poaching liquid.
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Boil the legs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer.
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Allow legs to cool in the broth before grilling for extra flavor infusion.
How to Tell When Legs Are Done Boiling
It can be difficult to determine doneness after boiling turkey legs fully submerged. Here are a few ways to check if they’re ready for the grill:
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Use an instant-read thermometer to test for 165°F minimum internal temperature. This is the best way to guarantee safety and doneness.
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Insert a skewer into the thickest part of a leg. If it goes through easily with no resistance, they’re done.
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Try lifting a leg out of the pot with tongs. If the meat starts falling off the bone, it’s ready.
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Check that the leg joints wiggle freely and are loose rather than stiff.
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Visually, the ends of the bones may start to protrude as the meat shrinks back.
Grilling Your Parboiled Turkey Legs
Once boiled, pat the legs dry and coat with oil and your favorite seasonings. Grill over medium heat for 10-15 minutes per side until browned and warmed through. Baste with barbecue sauce glaze for extra flavor. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
So for the juiciest, most flavorful grilled turkey legs, be sure to boil them first for 45-60 minutes depending on size. Parboiling helps ensure they turn out incredibly moist and tender every time.
The Frequency of this article is:
https://www.chefsresource.com/how-long-to-boil-turkey-legs-before-grilling/: 2
https://thekitchentoday.com/how-long-to-boil-turkey-legs-before-grilling/: 2
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/50181/grilled-turkey-legs/: 1
how long to boil turkey legs before grilling: 20
Tips for Making Grilled Turkey Legs
- For food safety, use cool water and store the turkey and the brine in the refrigerator. Monitor the temperature of the liquid to make sure it’s below 40 F.
- Use a deep, non-reactive pot or container and enough brine to keep the turkey completely submerged during the brining process. You can weigh down the meat with a heavy plate or bowl to prevent from floating around.
- The turkey meat will have a tinge of pink as the result of the curing process so use a meat thermometer to properly gauge doneness. Just insert the thermometer into the thickest part, making sure the probe doesn’t touch the bone. If the internal temperature is 165 F, your drumsticks are ready to enjoy!
These turkey drumsticks are county fair favorites for good reason. They’re mammoth, portable and so much fun to eat! Give them a try for Thanksgiving and have a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday dinner. They’ll be just amazing with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and your other favorite Thanksgiving side dishes as a regular roast turkey!
How to Add Flavor to Grilled Turkey
- Use the simple brine as a great starting point and customize it with herbs and aromatics as you like. Garlic cloves, peppercorns, bay leaves, sage, thyme, rosemary, and allspice berries are but a few of the savory choices you can play with.
- If you like to spice up the turkey further with your choice of dry rubs, rinse the brined turkey well under cold running water, pat dry, and then season before grilling. Just remember the meat has already sat in a salt solution so I suggest adding salt sparingly if even.
- If you want to glaze the turkey legs with BBQ or your favorite sauce, start basting during the last minutes of grilling so the outside doesn’t burn before the inside is sufficiently cooked.
Smoked Turkey Legs | Lone Star Grillz Vertical Offset Smoker
FAQ
How long to boil turkey legs for greens?
Pour in chicken stock and add turkey leg; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add collard greens and increase heat to medium-high.Nov 17, 2024
What is the best way to grill turkey legs?
- Heat your grill to medium heat, about 350-375 degrees F.
- Season your turkey legs with salt and pepper and add to the grill.
- Cook for 30 minutes, rotating the turkey leg every 10 minutes.
How long to boil chicken legs before grilling?
How long to boil chicken legs before grilling? Boil chicken legs for about 20-35 minutes until they are fully cooked before grilling. Season to taste and grill for a few minutes on each side until the skin is golden-brown.
How long to boil turkey for?
Allow the turkey to cook in the pot. Cook times range from 45-55 minutes for a 12-13 pound bird to one hour-one hour and 15 minutes. for a 15-18 pound turkey.Nov 12, 2015
How long does it take to cook turkey legs on a grill?
The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the turkey legs. As a general guideline, it usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook turkey legs on the grill. However, it is important to use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
How do you prepare turkey legs before grilling?
Below are the steps needed to prep your turkey legs before grilling. Wet brining your turkey legs involves submerging the drumsticks in saltwater and placing them in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours. Brining will soften the turkey meat, ensuring it takes less time to grill.
Can You Grill turkey legs on a gas grill?
Start Grilling: After searing your turkey legs, move them to the unlit part of your gas grill or the part without coals in your charcoal grill. Doing this will allow you to grill your drumsticks with indirect heat and prevent turkey legs that are burned on the outside but raw on the inside.
How long do turkey legs take to cook?
Depending on the size of your turkey legs, cook times may vary. Each of my turkey legs were over 2 lbs so they took a bit longer to cook. If your turkey legs are smaller in size, they may take less time. Start checking the temperature after 1 hour.
How long do you let turkey legs rest before cooking?
The turkey legs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, it’s essential to let the turkey legs rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy meat. Cover the turkey legs loosely with foil and let them rest for about 5-10 minutes.
How do I choose the best turkey legs for grilling?
When it comes to grilling turkey legs, selecting the right ones is crucial. Look for turkey legs that are fresh, plump, and have a nice pink color. Make sure they are properly thawed before grilling to ensure even cooking throughout. If you want to add an extra layer of flavor, you can marinate the turkey legs overnight in your favorite marinade.