These Smoked Turkey Legs are an awesome Disney copycat that tastes just like the ones in the theme park. They are large and in charge, coming ‘atcha with tons of smoky flavor. So go ahead and skip the theme park, and make your very own smoked turkey legs at home!
Cooking turkey legs on a pellet grill results in finger-licking, flavorful meat with a crispy exterior and moist, tender interior. But nailing the cook time is key to achieving the ideal texture and preventing dried out turkey. So how long should you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Most turkey legs take 4-5 hours at 225-250°F on a pellet grill to reach the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. However, cook time can vary based on a few factors
- Size of the legs
- Temperature of the grill
- Use of a brine or rub
- Altitude
Legs from younger turkeys cook faster than mature turkey legs Brining adds moisture so they cook more quickly Higher altitudes increase cook time, We’ll go over how to adjust for these variables,
Calculate Cook Time Based on Weight
The size and thickness of the turkey legs impact cook time. Here are estimates based on the weight:
- 1-2 lbs: 3-4 hours
- 2-3 lbs: 4-5 hours
- 3-4 lbs: 5-6 hours
To be precise, estimate 15-20 minutes per pound at 225-250°F. Track temperature rather than time.
For example, 3 lb legs will take 45-60 minutes per pound, equating to a 2.5-3 hour cook time.
Adjusting for Brines and Rubs
Soaking turkey legs in a brine before smoking helps keep the meat juicy but also reduces cook time. The salt and water are absorbed into the meat, allowing it to cook faster. Reduce the cook time by about 30 minutes to 1 hour if brining.
Dry rubs form a crust on the outside of the legs. While delicious, thick rubs can act as insulation and extend cook time. Add 30-60 minutes to the estimate if using a heavy rub. Go lighter on the rub to avoid this issue.
Managing Temperature
Higher grill temperatures like 275-300°F will shorten the cook time, but be careful not to dry out the meat. Aim for 225-250°F for the ideal juicy texture.
Try using a two-zone fire with higher direct heat on one side and lower indirect heat on the other. Quickly sear the legs over the hot zone first, then move to the cooler side to smoke until fully cooked.
Always use an accurate food thermometer in the thickest part of the leg to test for doneness instead of relying on cook time alone. Remove the legs when the thermometer hits 165°F.
Adjusting for Altitude
Cooking at high altitudes requires extending the time due to lower atmospheric pressure. For example:
- Sea level to 3000 ft: No adjustment needed
- 3000 to 6000 ft: Add 15% more time
- 6000 to 9000 ft: Add 30% more time
If smoking turkey legs in Denver at 5280 ft, increase the cook time by about 15%. If at 7000 ft, extend it by 30%.
Resting and Carryover Cooking
Once the legs reach 165°F, remove them from the grill and let them rest for 10-15 minutes. The temperature will rise 5-10°F during this time due to carryover cooking. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat for better moisture.
Signs of Doneness
Rely on a meat thermometer for accuracy, but here are visual cues the legs are done:
- Internal temp of 165°F
- Meat pulls back from the bone
- Skin is crispy and browned
- Meat feels firm when squeezed
Slice into a leg to check for no pink and thorough doneness. Enjoy your perfectly smoked turkey legs!
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this simple process for smoker turkey legs on a pellet grill:
Ingredients
- 4 turkey legs or drumsticks (1-4 lbs each)
- Brine or dry rub (optional)
- Wood smoking pellets (hickory, apple, maple)
Brining (optional)
- Make a simple brine of 1 gallon water, 1⁄2 cup salt, 1⁄2 cup brown sugar.
- Submerge turkey legs and brine overnight.
- Rinse legs and pat dry before smoking.
Prepare the Grill
- Fill hopper with preferred smoking wood pellets.
- Heat grill to 225-250°F with lid closed until stabilized.
- Maintain temperature throughout cooking.
Smoke the Legs
- Apply dry rub if desired.
- Insert food thermometer into thickest part of leg.
- Place legs directly on grill grates.
- Close lid and smoke until 165°F internally (about 15-20 min per lb).
Rest and Serve
- Remove legs when done and let rest 10-15 minutes.
- Slice into legs to check for doneness.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Results
- Choose larger, meatier legs for more flavor and juiciness.
- Inject with broth or marinate overnight to infuse extra moisture.
- Apply rub right before smoking so crust develops.
- Use a water pan for extra moisture.
- Spritz with apple juice or broth if legs start drying out.
- Pull legs at 160°F and wrap in foil if you want fall-off-the-bone tender.
Smoking turkey legs on a pellet grill leads to finger-licking goodness when you nail the cook time. Follow this guide for perfectly textured meat every time. Now grab a cold beer and start grillin’!
How to Cook Smoked Turkey Legs
Smoking these turkey legs involves a 2-step process (3 if you count devouring these bad boys!):
- Brine. First up, prepare the brine and add the turkey legs. Place in the fridge and allow the legs to cure for 24 hours. I like to cure my turkey legs in a gallon zip-top bag to make sure they’re fully submerged.
- Smoke. After your turkey legs have been curing for an entire day, remove them from the brine, rinse them with cool water, and pat dry. With your smoker preheated to 225 degrees F, you’re ready to place your turkey legs directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke for approximately 1.5 hours with your favorite wood. Pull the legs off the smoker when the internal temperature has reached 175 degrees F.
Give the turkey legs a moment to rest and come down in temperature before eating. Oh, and don’t even think about pulling out any silverware. This food should be attacked by hands and teeth only. I like to wrap mine in my Hey Grill Hey butcher paper for looks AND to have the paper as a nice handle to keep your hands clean.
How Long to Smoke Turkey Legs
It takes approximately an hour and a half to make these smoked turkey legs.
Most poultry needs to be cooked to a final internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Turkey legs are dark meat, so they’re fattier. You want these to fall off the bone without resistance. Smoking them to 175 degrees F will get you that super tender fall-off-the-bone bite. Keep a reliable meat thermometer handy to keep track of the temperature as you’re smoking.
Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe – Pellet Smoker Turkey Legs
FAQ
How long do you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Put the turkey legs on your pellet grill and let them smoke at 180F with the smoldering smoke tube for one hour.Nov 22, 2022
How to cook turkey legs on the Traeger grill?
When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 250℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grate. Smoke for 4-5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ on an instant-read meat thermometer. Make sure the probe doesn’t touch bone or you’ll get a false reading.
How long does it take to cook turkey on a pellet grill?
Put the turkey on the bottom rack of the pellet grill for about 3 – 5 hours.
Is it better to smoke turkey at 225 or 325?
325-350. It’s not a low and slow like a brisket or pork shoulder. Poultry soaks up the smoke flavor so you run the risk of having way too much smoke flavor if you go 225. Also 225 will never give you crispy skin.
How do you cook turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Spritz with apple juice or broth if legs start drying out. Pull legs at 160°F and wrap in foil if you want fall-off-the-bone tender. Smoking turkey legs on a pellet grill leads to finger-licking goodness when you nail the cook time. Follow this guide for perfectly textured meat every time.
Can you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Smoking turkey legs on a pellet grill results in finger-licking flavorful meat with a crispy exterior and moist tender interior. But nailing the cook time is key to achieving the ideal texture and prevent dried out turkey. So how long should you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
How long do you cook turkey legs on a grill?
Place the turkey legs on the grill and cook for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the turkey legs rest for 10 minutes before serving. For a more flavorful brine, use a combination of apple juice and apple cider vinegar.
What temperature do you cook a Turkey in a pellet grill?
Cook time at 225°F is 30 minutes per pound, or when the temperature internally reaches 165°F. What temperature do you cook a turkey at in a pellet grill? If you smoke a turkey, cooking at 225 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit for the start of the cook will deliver the best results.
How do you cook a turkey breast on a pellet grill?
Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Place the pan with the pellet grill turkey on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for 2 1/2-3 hours. Increase the grill temperature to 350℉ and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F, 3 1/2-4 hours more.
How do you cook a smoked turkey leg?
Make a simple brine of 1 gallon water, 1⁄2 cup salt, 1⁄2 cup brown sugar. Submerge turkey legs and brine overnight. Rinse legs and pat dry before smoking. Fill hopper with preferred smoking wood pellets. Heat grill to 225-250°F with lid closed until stabilized. Maintain temperature throughout cooking. Apply dry rub if desired.