How Long to Smoke Turkey Legs to Perfection in an Electric Smoker

Smoking turkey legs in an electric smoker is a fantastic way to infuse them with rich, smoky flavor. When done right, you’ll end up with juicy, tender turkey legs that taste like they came straight from a Renaissance fair. The key is knowing exactly how long to smoke turkey legs to get the best results.

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about smoking turkey legs in an electric smoker. You’ll learn how long they need to smoke tips for preparing and seasoning, what internal temperature to aim for, and more. Follow these electric smoker turkey leg smoking times and tips, and you’ll be biting into finger-licking good smoked drumsticks in no time.

Why Smoke Turkey Legs?

There are a few reasons why smoking is one of the best cooking methods for turkey legs:

• Infuses flavor – The slow cooking process allows the wood smoke to thoroughly permeate the meat, giving it a delicious smoky flavor. Spices and aromatics in a brine also have more time to impart flavor.

• Makes the meat juicy – Low and slow cooking methods keep turkey legs from drying out. The collagen in the legs breaks down into gelatin, keeping the meat nice and moist.

• Tenderizes – Long smoking times transform tough cuts like legs and thighs into fork-tender meat. The collagen breaking down helps with this.

• It’s hands-off cooking – Once your turkey legs are situated in the smoker, there’s minimal hands-on time needed. You don’t have to hover over a grill.

Overall, smoking gives you the most flavorful, tender, and juicy turkey leg meat.

How Long to Smoke Turkey Legs

The exact timing for smoking turkey legs can vary a bit depending on a few factors, but in general you will want to smoke them for:

3-4 hours at 225°F – 250°F.

To ensure food safety and fully cooked meat, you’ll want the internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey legs to reach 165°F. For even doneness, rotate the legs at the halfway point.

Here’s a general timeline for smoking turkey legs in an electric smoker:

• 30-60 mins: Allow smoker to preheat to 225°F – 250°F

• 10 mins: Prepare and add wood chips/chunks

• 1.5-2 hours: First half of smoke time

• Flip/rotate legs

• 1.5-2 hours: Second half of smoke time

• 30 mins: Rest turkey legs before eating

So from start to finish, expect a total timeline of around 4-5 hours, with 3-4 hours of active smoke time.

If you want to intensify the flavor, smoke the turkey legs longer than 4 hours, but only add wood for the first 1-2 hours. Anything longer can make the smoke flavor too strong.

How to Know When Turkey Legs Are Done

Relying just on smoking times can lead to undercooked poultry. Use these visual and temperature cues to know when your smoked turkey legs are ready:

• Internal temperature reaches 165°F

• Meat has visibly shrunk back from the bones

• Deep brown, caramelized outside

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the legs, avoiding bone, to check the internal temp. Poultry needs to reach 165°F to be safe to eat.

Preparing and Seasoning Turkey Legs

Proper preparation and seasoning is key for flavorful smoked turkey legs:

• Brine the legs – Brining adds moisture and flavor. Make a simple brine with water, salt, sugar and aromatics.

• Remove skin – This allows the smoke to penetrate the meat better.

• Use a rub – Coat legs with a dry rub of spices like paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and more.

• Consider marinating – A wet marinade of oil, herbs, and acidic ingredients will also infuse flavor.

Take the time to brine and season for the best results. The smoke will really amplify the flavors.

Resting and Serving Smoked Turkey Legs

Once your turkey legs are smoked, be sure to let them rest:

• Rest for 20-30 minutes before serving

• Tent loosely with foil to keep warm

Resting allows the juices to redistribute for a juicier finished product. The meat will continue to cook and rise in temperature as it rests.

For serving, smoked turkey legs are fantastic finger food. Offer plenty of napkins and serve with classic barbecue sides like beans, slaw, potatoes, and cornbread.

Turkey Leg Smoking Tips

• For smoke flavor, use wood chips/chunks like hickory, apple, cherry, pecan, or mesquite. Soak chips in water first.

• Cut smoking time down to 2-3 hours for chicken drumsticks since they cook faster.

• Use a lower smoke temp like 180°F if smoking for 4+ hours. Keeps meat moist.

• Spray legs with apple juice or oil if they appear dry during smoking.

• If legs start to darken too fast, wrap in foil or use lower rack.

• Rest legs for only 10-15 minutes if eating right away.

• Carve off meat rather than eating directly off the bone if serving a crowd.

Common Smoking Mistakes

It’s easy to mess up your smoked turkey legs if you aren’t careful:

• Not brining/seasoning – Leads to bland, dry meat.

• Bad prep – Don’t smoke frozen legs or with skin on.

• Bad wood chips – Avoid strong woods like mesquite for the full smoke time.

• Too low temp – Legs need to reach 165°F. May require higher heat.

• No thermometer – Eyeballing doneness can lead to undercooked meat.

• No resting period – Causes juices to spill out and dry meat.

With the proper technique, an electric smoker takes the guesswork out of smoking juicy, flavorful turkey legs.

Smoked Turkey Leg Recipe

To experience perfect smoked turkey legs for yourself, follow this straightforward electric smoker recipe:

Brine

• 1 gallon water

• 1⁄2 cup kosher salt

• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar

• 3 cloves garlic, smashed

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 Tbsp peppercorns

Rub

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp chili powder

• 1 Tbsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Whisk together brine ingredients until salt and sugar dissolve. Add turkey legs and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.

2. Combine rub ingredients. Remove legs from brine and pat dry. Coat with rub.

3. Smoke legs at 225°F for 3-4 hours until 165°F internal temp.

4. Rest for 20 minutes before serving.

Get Perfectly Smoked Turkey Legs Off Your Bucket List

Learning how long to smoke turkey legs is the first step to crossing juicy, flavorful smoked drumsticks off your barbecue bucket list. With the right electric smoker tips and techniques, you’ll be hosts the most mouthwatering Renaissance fair-worthy feast!