Smoked turkey legs are a classic carnival and fair food that many of us look forward to every year. As soon as you get a whiff of that smoky, salty aroma, your mouth starts watering in anticipation of sinking your teeth into the tender, flavorful meat. But given the giant size of these turkey legs, you may be wondering just how many calories are packed into this appetizing snack. Let’s take a closer look at the calorie count so you can enjoy your smoked turkey leg without guilt!
Serving Size Makes a Big Difference
To determine calories in a smoked turkey leg, the first thing to consider is serving size Unlike a delicately roasted turkey breast at home, smoked legs at fairs and theme parks are the entire leg of the turkey. These likely come from very large commercial turkeys weighing 40-50 pounds. A typical smoked turkey leg serving is around 1 pound or 16 ounces
That’s quite a bit bigger than the recommended 2-3 ounce serving size for poultry! Eating a whole leg means you’ll be consuming many more calories than a reasonably sized portion
Calories in a 1 Pound Smoked Turkey Leg
According to nutritional data, a 1 pound smoked turkey leg with the skin on contains about 1,135 calories. To put this into perspective, that’s over half the 2,000 daily calories recommended for an average moderately active woman, and nearly half the 2,500 calories recommended for an average moderately active man.
Clearly, eating a whole 1 pound smoked turkey leg would blow a huge hole in your daily calorie allowance. Even just half a leg would provide over 25% of your calories for the day.
Where the Calories Come From
Of the 1,135 calories in a 1 pound smoked turkey leg with skin, a whopping 486 calories come from fat. That makes the fat content a hefty 42% of the total calories!
The remaining 649 calories come from protein. There are 0 grams of carbs in a smoked turkey leg.
With 54 grams of total fat and 48 grams saturated fat, a full leg also provides over 80% of the daily limit for saturated fat for most adults.
Removing the Skin Cuts Calories Significantly
One of the best ways to reduce calories in smoked turkey legs is to remove the skin before eating. The skin is where most of the fat and therefore calories are concentrated.
According to calorie data, a 3.5 ounce serving of smoked turkey leg without the skin contains only 130 calories. The same portion with the skin has 208 calories. Removing the skin cuts about 40% of the calories!
Other Ways to Lower Calories
Here are some other tips for enjoying smoked turkey legs without excessive calories:
-
Share the turkey leg with 1-2 other people so you don’t overeat.
-
Pair it with lower calorie side dishes like a salad instead of french fries.
-
Drink water instead of sugary sodas which add extra calories.
-
Walk around the fair/park rather than sitting and snacking all day.
-
Eat slowly and mindfully, stopping when satisfied rather than overstuffing yourself.
-
Consider it an occasional treat rather than an everyday indulgence.
Nutritional Benefits
While their high calorie and fat content necessitates caution, smoked turkey legs do offer some nutritional pros:
-
They provide lots of protein with over 150 grams in a 1 pound leg. Protein is filling and helps curb overeating.
-
You get a hefty dose of B vitamins like niacin, folate and thiamin which support energy and metabolism.
-
Smoked turkey legs are a great source of potassium, an important nutrient many people lack. One leg provides 44% of the RDA.
-
You’ll also get a mega dose of the antioxidant mineral selenium. A full leg provides over 100% of the RDA.
The Bottom Line
A typical 1 pound smoked turkey leg contains over 1,100 calories and 54 grams of fat. Removing the skin cuts about 40% of the calories. Enjoy smoked turkey legs in moderation as an occasional treat. Pair with lower calorie sides, share with others, and practice mindful eating habits. While high in calories, smoked turkey legs can offer tasty protein, B vitamins, potassium and other nutrients. Savor your smoked turkey leg at the fair, but keep portions in check!
A delicious meal is just moments away when you serve Villari Smoked Turkey Drumsticks.
The delicious, hickory hardwood flavor enhances the tenderness of the meat for a mouth-watering treat. Enjoy these Smoked Turkey Drumsticks with your favorite side dishes like baked beans or rice for a hearty meal. It’s a popular choice to cook on the grill. Stock up on several packages of smoked drumsticks to have plenty on hand for everyone to savor. Villari carries a wide selection of additional meats, including sausages and organic products from animals raised without any hormones or antibiotics.
Weight loss Meals Ep.3 KALE & SMOKED TURKEY
FAQ
How many calories are in one turkey leg?
1 leg, bone removed of turkey leg (Fryer-roasters, meat and skin, cooked, roasted) contains 417 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 0% carbs, 30% fat, and 70% protein. This is a good source of protein (125% of your Daily Value), potassium (13% of your Daily Value), and iron (79% of your Daily Value).
How many calories are in a smoked drumstick?
| 165 | Calories |
|---|---|
| 9g | Fat |
| 1g | Carbs |
| 20g | Protein |
How many calories are in a state fair turkey leg?
1 serving of smoked turkey legs with skin barbeque (Average Fair & Carnival Foods) contains 1135 Calories.
How many calories are in a Ren fair turkey leg?
Turkey Legs: The turkey leg is a Renaissance Festival staple. Fryer-roasted, it’s one of the least horrible things you can eat from a health standpoint at the fair. A turkey leg contains about 417 calories – or two thirds of what you’d find in a Burger King Whopper without cheese.
How many calories are in a smoked turkey leg?
A leg that big has 1,136 calories per serving and 54 grams of fat. If you’re following a low-carb diet, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are no carbohydrates in a smoked turkey leg. However, you’ll more than meet your protein requirement for the next several days, as this theme-park treat serves up 152 grams of protein per 1-pound serving.
How many calories are in a turkey leg?
A turkey leg contains 108 calories. Chicken and turkey breasts are both low in calories, with 110 and 111 calories respectively, and very low in fat, supplying 1 to 2 percent of the daily value. Chicken and turkey legs have slightly higher fat content and provide less protein, which is 40 percent of the daily value.
Is a smoked turkey leg healthy?
The nutrition of a smoked turkey leg depends on how it’s prepared. When you spend the day at the county fair or a local theme park, part of your day may include a treat that’s tough to find anywhere else: a giant smoked turkey leg. It seems like a pretty good option, after all, turkey is a lean protein and it’s smoked, not fried.
How many legs does a smoked turkey have?
A dissection of a six-legged turkey shows that two legs are attached by bones and skin. The four other legs are fastened with – gasp! – 3-inch wood skewers. The smoked turkey is more of an artistic overstatement than an abomination of nature. But that has not stopped critics of the six-legged turkey from calling Fox Sports to complain.
How many calories are in a slice of smoked turkey?
There are 29 calories in 1 thin slice of Smoked Light or Dark Turkey Meat. Calorie breakdown: 44% fat, 0% carbs, 56% protein. Please note that some foods may not be suitable for some people and you are urged to seek the advice of a physician before beginning any weight loss effort or diet regimen.
Should you eat a giant smoked turkey leg?
When you spend the day at the county fair or a local theme park, part of your day may include a treat that’s tough to find anywhere else: a giant smoked turkey leg. It seems like a pretty good option, after all, turkey is a lean protein and it’s smoked, not fried. But the nutrition data suggests that this might be a great treat to share.