A smoked turkey leg is the worlds heartiest finger food. You can hold them in one hand and refuel while you walk — which is why theyre such a staple at fairs and festivals. Smoked turkey legs taste just as good in your backyard, and are a good smoking project for beginners and experts alike. With a home-smoked turkey leg in your hand, youll feel like a smoking expert and a true carnivore.
Turkey legs are an iconic, mouthwatering treat that never go out of style. Their rich, savory flavor and juicy tenderness make them a go-to choice for hearty appetites. But where can you find and buy high-quality turkey legs?
This guide covers the best places to buy fresh or smoked turkey legs for your next meal, party, or backyard cookout Keep reading for tips on selecting the finest turkey drumsticks and info on how to store them
Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
The meat department of your local grocery store or supermarket is a convenient spot to purchase turkey legs and drumsticks. Brands like Honeysuckle White, Butterball and Shady Brook Farms typically offer high-quality options.
When buying from a grocer, look for:
- Legs with smooth, unblemished skin
- Meat that looks moist with no dry spots
- Clear sell-by date for freshness
- Legs sold in sealed packaging
For the freshest taste, prepare turkey legs within 2 days of purchasing. Place in a sealed container in the fridge.
Butcher Shops and Meat Markets
For premium, custom-cut turkey legs, head to a local butcher shop or meat market. Skilled butchers can provide special requests like deboning legs or cutting them into smaller portions.
When buying turkey legs from a butcher, ask questions about:
- Source and quality of the turkey
- If it’s locally raised or shipped from afar
- If the turkey is free-range, organic, etc.
- How recently the turkey arrived at the shop
This info helps you select the freshest, highest-quality turkey legs for your meal. Store in the fridge just like grocery store turkey.
Big Box Stores
Major retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Restaurant Depot offer large packs of turkey legs at wallet-friendly prices. Just take care to use or freeze legs promptly for best quality.
Pro tips for buying turkey legs in bulk:
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Estimate how much you need. Bulk packs can contain 10+ pounds of legs.
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Inspect legs for ice crystals or frost, indicating improper storage. Avoid these packs.
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Buy fresh, never frozen. Legs will have superior texture and flavor.
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Cook within 2 days or portion and freeze legs right away.
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Look for bulk specials like $.99/lb for added savings.
Online Stores and Delivery
Ordering turkey legs online through grocery or big box store websites is handy for quick home delivery. Or use a service like Instacart or Amazon Fresh.
When ordering turkey legs for delivery:
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Choose expedited 1-2 day shipping for optimal freshness.
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Inspect legs immediately upon receipt before freezing or cooking.
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Look for promotions like free shipping or discounts for first-time users.
Farmer’s Markets and Local Farms
For the absolute freshest turkey legs, shop at a local farmer’s market or turkey farm. Ask questions about the source, what the turkeys are fed, if growth hormones are used, etc.
Tips for buying direct from the source:
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Inquire about availability before going if possible. Supplies may be limited.
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Go early in the day for the best selection. Legs sell out fast!
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Know the safe handling steps like keeping 40°F or below during transport.
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Prepare within 2 days for peak quality and flavor.
Finding high-quality, delicious turkey legs comes down to selecting a trusted, reliable source. With so many excellent options available locally and online, you can easily purchase premium turkey legs for any occasion.
How to Store Turkey Legs After Buying
Proper storage preserves freshness and quality of purchased turkey legs:
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Refrigerate legs in a sealed container or resealable bag.
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Place on a plate to catch any drips or leaks.
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Use within 2 days for raw legs, 4-5 days for cooked.
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For longer storage, wrap drumsticks tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags.
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Remove all air and seal bags. Freeze for 2-3 months.
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Thaw frozen legs for 1-2 days in the refrigerator before cooking.
Follow these storage tips and your turkey legs will retain their just-purchased freshness.
Cooking and Serving Turkey Legs
Turkey legs can be prepared in endless delicious ways. Here are some top cooking methods:
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Grill over direct high heat for 25-35 minutes until crispy.
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Smoke low and slow for deep flavor – allow 1-2 hours.
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Braise in broth, beer or wine for falling-off-the-bone tenderness.
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Deep fry for crispy, golden brown skin and juicy meat.
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Roast in the oven at 350°F for about 1 hour until cooked through.
Delicious sauces and seasonings like barbecue, Cajun, jerk, garlic, lemon pepper, and more also pair fantastically with turkey legs.
Serve carved turkey legs alongside classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, rice pilaf, and biscuits.
With the wide variety of places to purchase them and cooking preparation methods, succulent turkey legs can be enjoyed any night of the week – not just holiday feasts!
How Do You Cook Turkey Legs That Are Already Smoked?
You can buy smoked turkey legs that have already been smoked. They will come either frozen or refrigerated. Frozen smoked legs must be fully thawed before preheating.
To reheat smoked turkey legs, preheat your Traeger to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Once that temperature is reached, place the legs on the grill grate and heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
What Is the Best Wood for Smoking Turkey Legs?
Pecan or hickory are excellent woods for smoking turkey legs. The woods have similar flavor profiles and are good for smoking poultry. They are stronger than fruit woods like apple and cherry, but not as strong as mesquite, which can overpower the flavor of turkey.
Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe
FAQ
Can you get just turkey legs?
Yes, you can. Depends on the store though – not all of them carry pre-carved portions of turkey like that. I Was at Market 32 (Price Chopper) this weekend though and they had a bundle that was a drumstick and breast meat or something similar.
Do supermarkets sell turkey legs?
Sainsbury’s Fresh British Turkey Drumstick 800g-1.2kg | Sainsbury’s.
Are turkey drumsticks the same as turkey legs?
- Turkey leg: The entire leg of a turkey, including the thigh and drumstick
- Turkey drumstick: The lower part of the turkey leg, from the knee joint to the foot
Where can I get turkey drumsticks from?
- Sobeys. Foodland. Co-op Stores.
- Metro. IGA. Super C.
- Food Basics. Freshco. Foodland. Metro.
Where can I buy turkey legs & Chicken online?
Get Wholesale Turkey Legs and Chicken Online at Farmer’s Fresh Meat! Watch family and friends flock to the table as you serve our delicious Jumbo Fresh Turkey Drumsticks Case (30lb). Sometimes referred to as “turkey legs,” each case contains 13-15 hearty drumsticks and weighs about 1.8-2lbs each.
Where can I find turkey legs near me?
Here are some places where you can find turkey legs near you: 1. **Grocery stores:** Most grocery stores carry a selection of fresh or frozen turkey legs. Check your local grocery store, such as Walmart, Safeway, or Kroger, and head to the meat or poultry section to find a packet of turkey legs. 2.
What is a whole turkey leg?
Whole turkey legs are made up of the thigh and drumstick, but many people use “turkey leg” to refer to just the drumstick. Drumsticks should be readily available in the meat section of your local grocery store. Though whole legs are harder to come by, you may be able to find them at a butcher.
Does Walmart sell turkey legs?
Yes, Walmart typically carries turkey legs in their meat section. Check the fresh or frozen poultry area of your local Walmart store. **2. Are turkey legs available at Whole Foods?** Yes, Whole Foods usually offers a selection of turkey legs. Visit the meat or poultry department of your nearest Whole Foods store. **3.
Why should you buy turkey legs online?
Online shopping lets you browse turkey legs and compare selections across retailers in one place. Search filters and tags make it easy to find antibiotic-free, organic, kosher, halal, or other specialty turkey legs. Build an entire meal by adding sides, seasonings, and other items to your virtual cart.
How much does a pound of turkey legs cost?
For fresh, high-quality turkey legs available year-round, check the poultry section at your local supermarket Brands like Honeysuckle White offer package sizes ranging from individual turkey legs to larger family packs You can expect to pay around $1.67 per pound.