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. However, since making them from scratch can be messy and time-consuming, I tested four different methods for reheating store-bought smoked turkey legs to see which worked best and why.
In this blog post, I’ll go over and evaluate the four methods I used: oven baking, air frying, smoking, and grilling. I will also explore some frequently asked questions about store bought smoked turkey legs.
This guide will provide you with the knowledge and tips you need to serve a delicious and flavorful smoked turkey, ensuring a memorable dining experience for you and your guests.
Preparation: Setting the Stage for a Delicious Smoked Turkey
Preheating the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) to ensure even heating and prevent drying out the turkey.
Removing the Turkey from the Packaging:
- Carefully remove the smoked turkey from its packaging and discard any excess juices.
Covering the Pan with Foil:
- Cover the pan with foil to trap moisture and prevent the turkey from drying out during the reheating process.
Inserting a Meat Thermometer:
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bone. This will help you monitor the internal temperature accurately.
Reheating the Smoked Turkey: Achieving Perfect Tenderness
Placing the Turkey in the Oven:
- Place the covered turkey in the preheated oven and begin the reheating process.
Reheating Time and Temperature:
- Reheat the turkey for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) in the thigh.
Checking for Doneness:
- Start checking the turkey for doneness about 30 minutes before the recommended cook time. Use the meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
Removing from the Oven and Serving:
- Once the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Carving and Serving:
- Carve the turkey as desired and serve immediately with your favorite sides and a glass of local wine or Wurst Haus beer!
Additional Tips for Serving a Smoked Turkey:
- Accompaniments: Consider serving the smoked turkey with classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.
- Beverages: Pair the turkey with a glass of local wine or a refreshing Wurst Haus beer for a perfect complement to the smoky flavor.
- Leftovers: Leftover smoked turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Enjoying Your Smoked Turkey: A Culinary Delight
You can serve a tasty and flavorful smoked turkey to your guests and create a memorable dining experience by following these easy steps. Prioritize high-quality ingredients, appropriate reheating methods, and a dash of imagination to turn your smoked turkey into a gourmet dish.
Can I use a crock pot to cook turkey legs?
This is a method that I do not prefer. The turkey legs dried out and became mushy after being in a crock pot for the entire day. The turkey leg’s simultaneous softness and dryness is a little strange, but the slow cooker was the reason for it.
The texture was not favorable and it was one of my least favorite methods. If you wanted to shred the turkey meat off the bone for sandwiches or another purpose, this is the only technique I would recommend.
How long does it take to reheat turkey legs?
Like any other protein, the size of the leg and the cooking temperature will determine how long it takes to preheat the turkey legs. It is always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure food is cooked to the proper internal temperature. Never rely on time alone. Trust me I’m speaking from experience and heart-ache!.
To start, remove the turkey leg from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Although cleaning the turkey leg is not necessary, you are welcome to give it a quick rinse in cold water.
These turkey legs can taste bland, so I like to season them lightly with either poultry seasoning or an all-purpose low-sodium barbecue rub. Place the turkey leg on a baking sheet covered with a wire rack and cook it at 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This took me about 35 minutes.
Although the precooked turkey legs are already safe to consume, a temperature of 165°F ensures that they are cooked through 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.
Remove the turkey leg from its packaging, pat dry with paper towels, brush with olive oil, and season with poultry or barbecue powder before air-frying it. 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.
To make sure the leg is cooked through on both sides, you should flip it a few times during this process. This is one of my favorite methods—it takes about 20 minutes to make a hot, tender, crispy-skinned turkey leg!
Even though turkey legs come pre smoked, smoking them again really wakes up the smoke flavor. After giving the turkey an all-purpose barbeque rub, 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.
I also brushed on some barbecue sauce toward the end of the cook and turned up the smoker’s temperature to 275°F to help the sauce stick to the meat before removing it. This method really created something you’d find at Disney World or a state fair.
The grilled turkey legs were equally delicious because the grill adds a delicious char to the outside of the meat. 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.
How to Heat and Serve – Smoked and Fully Cooked Turkey
FAQ
Do you serve smoked turkey hot or cold?
How do you cook a turkey that is already smoked?
How do you reheat a smoked turkey without drying it out?
Is a smoked turkey ready to eat?