These Disney copycat smoked turkey legs have become a tradition in many of our readers’ households around the holidays since we published this recipe in July 2015.
Originally developed by our aunt (my dad’s older sister), we’ve since updated it with more details on pressing questions ya’ll have asked over the years:
We have answers to all these questions, as well as instructions for making these turkey legs indoors in an oven and in a charcoal grill or smoker outdoors. Enjoy!
Note: This post was originally published in July 2015. It has since been updated with more detail, oven-baking instructions, and an FAQ section! The recipe itself has not been changed. Enjoy!
Smoked turkey legs are a delicious, fun meal that can be enjoyed year-round While you can often buy pre-cooked smoked turkey legs, learning how to cook them yourself at home is surprisingly easy With just a few simple steps, you’ll have juicy, tender turkey legs with wonderful smoky flavor ready to devour.
Why Cook Smoked Turkey Legs in the Oven?
There are a few advantages to cooking smoked turkey legs in the oven rather than on the grill or stovetop
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The oven provides a consistent source of gentle heat that thoroughly cooks the turkey legs without drying them out.
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You don’t have to constantly monitor and rotate the turkey legs like you would on the grill. Just pop them in the oven and let them bake undisturbed.
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Oven cooking allows the smoked turkey legs to reheat evenly and absorb any flavors from glazes or rubs you add.
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Clean up is easier since everything is contained in the oven. No need to clean a grill or scrub pans.
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Oven cooking gives great results regardless of the weather outside, making it reliable year-round.
Step-by-Step Oven Cooking Directions
Follow these simple steps for perfect smoked turkey legs every time:
Ingredients
- Smoked turkey legs, thawed if previously frozen
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Your favorite seasoning rub or glaze
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 300°F to ensure even heating. Be sure to give your oven plenty of time to fully preheat before cooking.
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Prep the turkey legs by rinsing under cold water and patting dry with paper towels. This removes any excess salt from the smoking process.
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Coat with olive oil. Rub a thin layer of olive oil over the turkey legs or lightly spray with cooking spray. This helps the seasonings stick and keeps the turkey moist.
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Apply your favorite rub or glaze. Get creative with Cajun seasoning, dried herbs, brown sugar, citrus, or barbecue sauce. Apply the seasoning generously, coating the entire turkey leg.
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Place legs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Arrange the legs so they aren’t touching and have space around each one.
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Bake for 60-90 minutes. Check for doneness after 60 minutes. Turkey legs are fully cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Baste and rotate halfway through. Baste the legs with any accumulated juices or glaze about halfway through baking. Rotate the pan for even cooking.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Once turkey legs are cooked through, remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes so juices can absorb.
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Dig in! Serve your smoked turkey legs with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
There are lots of possibilities when cooking smoked turkey legs in the oven:
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For crispy skin, broil the turkey legs for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
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Glaze with your favorite barbecue sauce or make a simple brown sugar glaze. Apply the glaze during the last 15-30 minutes of baking.
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For extra flavor, stuff herbs under the skin before cooking. Rosemary, sage, and thyme pair nicely with poultry.
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Slice cooked turkey legs and add to salads, sandwiches, beans, soups, and more. The possibilities are endless!
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For a change of pace, use chicken legs, duck legs, or ham hocks in place of the turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about oven-cooked smoked turkey legs? Here are some common FAQs:
Can I cook frozen smoked turkey legs in the oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen smoked legs without thawing first. Just add 15-30 minutes to the cook time. Check temperature to confirm doneness.
Do I need to brine or marinate turkey legs before cooking?
Brining or marinating is not necessary since the turkey legs are already smoked for flavor and tenderness. Simply seasoning and baking is all you need.
What temperature should I cook smoked turkey legs?
Cook at 300°F for best results. The low oven temperature gently reheats the turkey while keeping it moist. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer for doneness.
Can I finish legs on the grill for flavor?
Absolutely! After baking, you can throw legs on a hot grill just long enough to char and caramelize the skin without overcooking the meat.
How long does it take to cook a smoked turkey leg?
Cook times range from 60-90 minutes based on size. Turkey legs are fully cooked once internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What are the best wood chips for smoking turkey?
Hickory, apple, cherry, pecan, and mesquite woods all pair well with poultry. Use your favorite for the smoke flavor desired.
What sides go well with smoked turkey legs?
Almost anything goes! Classic pairings include mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, cornbread, cranberry sauce, and salad.
With this easy oven method, you can enjoy incredible smoked turkey legs any time. Experiment with different rubs and glazes until you find your favorite flavors. Enjoy this savory, succulent dish on its own or as the star of a hearty meal. Happy cooking!
*The* Disney turkey leg
When we were young, trips to Disney World were met with much fanfare:
- The time off from school! (I’ll skip your multiplication tables and coloring workbooks, thank you very much!)
- The rides! (This is the year I ride Thunder Mountain and actually put my hands in the air!)*
- The characters! (Mickey Mouse! Goofy! Mustn’t forget my autograph book!)
While the food prices at Disney World were enough to make my parents’ eyes pop with every glance at a menu board, they made an exception for just one food item in particular: The Smoked Turkey Legs. (Because that definitely deserves some capitalization.)
Ahhh smoked turkey legs. That deliciously salty, slightly hammy meat, smoked to a dark and glossy perfection…
We’d pay the astronomical (in the mid-90s) $8 to $10 for one and pass it around like a meaty peace pipe, tearing off hunks of turkey like the ravenous tourists that we were so okay with being at that moment.
Not one for rides or theme parks, this turkey leg was THE main attraction for my mom. Perhaps it was even the reason we got her to walk through those park gates in the first place!
*Of course this never actually happened, because when Sarah and I were young, we were weak-kneed scaredy-cats, and by the time we were old enough to not be weak-kneed scaredy-cats, Thunder Mountain was such a snooze fest that it felt like more of a scenic trolley ride than anything else.
A homemade, backyard smoked turkey leg recipe
So imagine our excitement when a couple years ago, my aunt started making smoked turkey legs in a charcoal grill in her backyard! The taste is almost exactly the same, and you can make them in a big batch with relative ease.
We headed over to their house in Western New York for the July 4th weekend, and absolutely INSISTED that we eat these and document the process.
There are some tastes that make such an indelible mark on your memory that you become a tiny bit obsessed, and this is one of them. If you share my crazed ardor for this form of smoked poultry, read on!
