Stuffed Turkey Legs: Slow-cooked, smoked turkey legs are stuffed with luscious mac and cheese and fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. This is comfort food magic, right in your oven! Savory roast turkey meets creamy mac and cheese. If you’re searching for a fresh take on a traditional dish, these stuffed turkey legs are perfect.
You can now customize turkey legs for quick weeknight dinners, so Thanksgiving with all the fixings is no longer just for Thanksgiving. And the first time my boys bit into these stuffed turkey legs, the recipe became an enormous hit. .
You can serve stuffed turkey legs as a hearty snack by themselves or along with all the traditional fixings for a classic family feast. Best of all, this creative take on the traditional roast turkey doesn’t require difficult carving!.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary masterpiece that combines the succulent comfort of roast turkey with the creamy indulgence of mac and cheese. This recipe for Stuffed Turkey Legs takes inspiration from the popular Turkey Leg Hut creations, elevating the humble drumstick into a gourmet experience
What are Stuffed Turkey Legs?
Imagine tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey legs, previously smoked for an extra layer of flavor then generously stuffed with a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. This dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, marrying the savory richness of the turkey with the velvety smoothness of the mac and cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of smoked turkey and mac and cheese creates a unique and irresistible flavor profile.
- Tenderness: The slow-cooking process ensures the turkey legs are fall-off-the-bone tender, making them a delight to eat.
- Versatility: Feel free to customize the stuffing with your favorite ingredients, like Spanish rice, creamy shrimp sauce, or even a classic stuffing recipe.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive presentation, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Smoked Turkey Legs: The star of the show, these provide the base for the dish.
- Chicken Broth: Adds flavor and keeps the meat moist during cooking.
- Butter: Enhances the flavor and helps the seasonings adhere to the turkey.
- Seasonings: Creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (optional) add a kick of flavor.
- Mac and Cheese: Choose your favorite recipe, whether it’s a classic Southern style or something more adventurous.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melted over the top for an extra cheesy goodness.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Cook the Turkey Legs: Rinse the turkey legs and place them in a slow cooker. Add chicken broth and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours, until the meat is tender and juicy.
- Prepare the Rub: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Remove and Season: Carefully remove the turkey legs from the slow cooker and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush generously with the butter mixture.
- Stuff and Bake: Stuff each turkey leg with mac and cheese, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with additional cheese sauce, parsley, or your favorite mac and cheese toppings.
Tips and Tricks:
- For maximum flavor, rub the seasonings under the skin of the turkey leg as well.
- If using fresh turkey legs, season them with your favorite turkey seasoning and cook in the slow cooker with broth until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the turkey legs rest for 10-15 minutes after removing them from the slow cooker to allow the juices to redistribute for extra tenderness.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions:
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, you can prepare the mac and cheese ahead of time. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven. For longer storage, freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How can I tell if the turkey legs are cooked? Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey legs should reach 165°F when they’re done.
- Can I cook the turkey legs in the oven? Absolutely! If you don’t have a slow cooker, coat the turkey legs with the rub and place them skin-side down on a greased baking sheet. Cook at 350°F for 30 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Why are the turkey legs tough? Tough turkey legs usually indicate undercooked meat. Slow cooking at low temperatures helps tenderize the muscle fibers, resulting in a more succulent and enjoyable experience.
Additional Resources:
- Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe: https://www.staysnatched.com/cajun-spiced-roasted-turkey/
- Spiced Roast Turkey Recipe: https://www.africanbites.com/spiced-roast-turkey/
- Turkey Breakfast Sausage Recipe: https://www.africanbites.com/turkey-breakfast-sausage/
- Baked Turkey Wings Recipe: https://www.staysnatched.com/air-fryer-turkey-wings/
- Collard Greens With Smoked Turkey Recipe: https://www.africanbites.com/collard-greens-with-smoked-turkey/
Stuffed Turkey Legs are a culinary masterpiece that combines the comfort of roast turkey with the indulgence of mac and cheese. This recipe is easy to follow, versatile, and sure to impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the slow cooker, and get ready to experience a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more.
What Are Stuffed Turkey Legs?
These guys are incredibly delicious. Cook smoked (or plain) turkey drumsticks and slow cook them until the meat almost falls off the bone. Then gently slice the meat down to the bone and stuff it with mac and cheese. Of course, you can stuff it with Spanish rice, creamy shrimp sauce, etc. , etc. , etc. The flavor fusion will delight your taste buds!.
- Turkey Legs: The primary component, tender, juicy, and flavorful smoked turkey legs They also work well with simple turkey legs if that’s your preference.
- Chicken broth has an enticing flavor that keeps the meat juicy and moist.
- Butter enhances the flavor of the seasonings and gives the turkey a gorgeously rich flavor.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and creole seasoning give the turkey legs a great flavor; red pepper flakes are optional, but I love the little burst of heat they provide!
- Mac
- Turkey legs are elevated to a whole new level by the melt-in-your-mouth cheddar cheese!
Serving and Storage Instructions
Turkey legs leftovers keep well in the refrigerator and freezer. Tightly covered, they keep for four days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet that has been greased and loosely cover with foil. Bake at 300°F/150°C for 20 to 30 minutes.
Or freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months, thawing overnight before reheating.
The best way to tell if they’re cooked is by using a meat thermometer. Turkey legs should reach an internal temperature of 165℉/75℃ when they’re done. To release the juices from a leg pierced mid-thigh without a meat thermometer, pierce it; if the juices run clear, the meat is done. But if the juices are still pink, the turkey needs to cook longer.
No slow cooker? No problem. Coat the turkey legs with the rub and place them on a greased baking sheet, skin-side down. Cook for 30 minutes at 350℉/177℃. Flip them and cook for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉/75℃.
Turkey legs can be tough if they don’t cook long enough. Slow cooking at low temperatures tenderized the muscle fibers, producing more tender meat. But don’t worry, once you taste the flavorful, succulent meat, the extra wait time will be well worth it!