I tested 4 ways to cook store bought smoked turkey legs and the results were surprising!
With the holidays approaching, turkey legs are in high demand and quite popular. But how should they be prepared and cooked? Since making them from scratch can be messy and time-consuming, I tested four different ways to reheat smoked turkey legs from the store and determined which worked best and why.
I’ll discuss and assess the four techniques I used in this blog post: oven baking, air frying, smoking, and grilling. I will also explore some frequently asked questions about store bought smoked turkey legs.
Pre-smoked turkey wings are a convenient and flavorful option for a quick and easy meal. Whether you’re craving a juicy snack or a satisfying main course, these versatile wings can be cooked in various ways to suit your taste and cooking preferences.
Preparing Pre-Smoked Turkey Wings:
1. Preheat your oven or grill:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. Seasoning:
- Oven: Season the wings with your favorite spices and herbs. You can use a dry rub, marinade, or simply salt and pepper.
- Grill: Brush the wings with olive oil or melted butter and season with your desired spices.
3, Cooking:
Oven:
- Place the seasoned wings on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to help retain moisture and prevent drying.
- Bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the wings are crispy and golden brown.
Grill:
- Place the seasoned wings on the preheated grill.
- Cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, flipping the wings occasionally, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For a smoky flavor, add a few wood chips to the grill during the cooking process.
4. Resting:
- Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the oven or grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful wing.
5. Serving:
- Serve the pre-smoked turkey wings hot with your favorite dipping sauces, sides, or as part of a main course.
Additional Tips:
- For extra crispy skin: Broil the wings for a few minutes after baking or grilling.
- For a sweeter flavor: Glaze the wings with a honey-based sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
- For a spicier kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend.
- Leftovers: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I cook pre-smoked turkey wings in the air fryer?
Yes, you can definitely cook pre-smoked turkey wings in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the wings for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
What are some good dipping sauces for pre-smoked turkey wings?
- Barbecue sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard
- Buffalo sauce
- Blue cheese dip
What are some good side dishes to serve with pre-smoked turkey wings?
- Mashed potatoes
- Green beans
- Corn on the cob
- Cole slaw
- Mac and cheese
How long do pre-smoked turkey wings last in the refrigerator?
Leftover pre-smoked turkey wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Additional Resources:
- Recipes.net: How To Cook Pre Smoked Turkey Wings In The Oven
- The Ninja Cue: How to cook store bought smoked turkey legs
Enjoy your delicious pre-smoked turkey wings!
Where can you buy pre-smoked turkey legs?
Pre-smoked turkey legs are readily available at most grocery stores, especially around the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was able to find these turkey legs at Walmart for about $7 each. You can also find them at Costco, Kroger’s, Publix and major food chains. You can order from a variety of online retailers and have them shipped right to your front door.
How long does it take to reheat turkey legs?
The size of the leg and the cooking temperature will affect how long it takes to preheat the turkey legs, just like with any other protein. To ensure that food is cooked to the right internal temperature, it is always best to use a meat thermometer. Never rely on time alone. Trust me I’m speaking from experience and heart-ache!.
To begin using this method, take the turkey leg out of its packaging and use paper towels to pat it dry. The turkey leg doesn’t need to be cleaned, but if you’d like, you can give it a quick rinse in cold water.
I like to lightly season these turkey legs, which can often taste bland, with either poultry seasoning or an all-purpose low-sodium barbecue rub. After positioning the turkey leg on a wire rack set atop a baking sheet, cook it at 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This took me about 35 minutes.
The precooked turkey legs are already safe to eat, but cooking them to 165°F guarantees that they are thoroughly cooked and served hot. To keep the turkey leg moist, place a foil pan underneath with some chicken broth. As the chicken broth warms and starts to create steam, it will help the turkey from drying out.
The result of this method was what I expected. The turkey leg was nice and baked, had a smoky flavor and was warm throughout.
To air fry, take the turkey leg out of the packaging, pat dry with paper towels, coat with olive oil, and sprinkle with poultry or barbecue seasoning. You will need to find an air fryer that’s large enough to hold the turkey leg. Cook your turkey at 375 °F until the internal temp is 165°F.
Throughout this process, you should flip the leg a few times to ensure that it is cooked through on both sides. This is one of my favorite ways, and the result is a crispy-skinned, hot, and tender turkey leg in about 20 minutes!
Even though turkey legs come pre smoked, smoking them again really wakes up the smoke flavor. Apply an all-purpose barbecue rub to the turkey and smoke it at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. I used my pellet smoker with apple wood pellets.
Fruit woods like apple and cherry are delicate and are great smoking woods for turkey. For a stronger smoke flavor, try hickory or mesquite.
In order to allow the barbecue sauce to adhere to the meat before removing it, I also brushed on some barbecue sauce toward the end of the cook and increased the smoker’s temperature to 275°F. This method really created something you’d find at Disney World or a state fair.
Because the grill adds a delicious char to the outside of the meat, the grilled turkey legs were also excellent. The turkey also had a great texture.
Coat the turkey legs in olive oil and season them with a bbq rub. Cook the legs on medium heat, turning them over a few times until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
