These are a fantastic Disney ripoff that taste exactly like the ones at the theme park: smoked turkey legs. They are large and in charge, coming ‘atcha with tons of smoky flavor. So go ahead and skip the theme park, and make your very own smoked turkey legs at home!.
Craving those iconic, juicy, smoky turkey legs from your favorite theme park? Well, hold onto your hats, folks, because I’m about to share the secrets to recreating that magic right in your own backyard! This recipe isn’t just a copycat – it’s an epic adventure in smoky flavor that will have you licking your fingers and begging for more.
So. grab your smoker. fire up the grill and let’s get ready to make some Disney-worthy turkey legs!
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients:
- 4 turkey legs (around 1-2 pounds each)
- Brine:
- 4 cups cool water
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon Prague powder #1 (curing salt)
- Seasoning:
- Your favorite BBQ rub (or try my homemade Smoked Turkey Rub for an extra kick!)
Equipment:
- Smoker
- Meat thermometer
- Gallon zip-top bag
- Paper towels
- Butcher paper (optional)
Step 1: Brining for Flavor and Tenderness
The secret to juicy, flavorful turkey legs lies in the brine. This magical liquid not only tenderizes the meat but also infuses it with a delicious, even saltiness that’s reminiscent of the iconic Disney turkey legs.
Here’s how to make the brine:
- In a large bowl or container, dissolve the salt, brown sugar, and curing salt in cool water.
- Stir in the black peppercorns and bay leaves.
- Place the turkey legs in a gallon zip-top bag and pour the brine over them, ensuring they’re fully submerged.
- Seal the bag, place it on a plate, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Tip: Brining can be done up to 2 days in advance. Just make sure to keep the turkey legs refrigerated during this time.
Step 2: Smoking for That Authentic Flavor
Now comes the fun part – smoking the turkey legs! This is where the magic happens, infusing the meat with that irresistible smoky flavor that will transport you straight to your happy place.
Here’s how to smoke the turkey legs:
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (or 275°F if using larger turkey legs).
- Remove the turkey legs from the brine, rinse them with cool water, and pat them dry with paper towels.
- If desired, season the turkey legs with your favorite BBQ rub.
- Place the turkey legs directly on the smoker grates, close the lid, and smoke for approximately 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
Tip: Use your favorite wood chips for smoking, such as hickory, apple, or pecan.
Step 3: Rest and Enjoy!
Once the turkey legs are done smoking, let them rest for a few minutes before digging in. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in even more tender and flavorful meat.
Now, grab your favorite dipping sauce (BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or even plain old ketchup) and get ready to devour these delicious, smoky turkey legs! You can enjoy them with your hands, wrap them in butcher paper for a more elegant presentation, or even slice them up for sandwiches.
Additional Tips for Smoking Turkey Legs:
- For larger turkey legs (around 2 pounds each), increase the smoking time to 2-2.5 hours.
- If you don’t have a smoker, you can smoke the turkey legs on a grill using the indirect heat method.
- To add an extra layer of flavor, baste the turkey legs with BBQ sauce during the last 30 minutes of smoking.
- Serve the turkey legs with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or mac and cheese.
Making your own smoked turkey legs is a fun and rewarding experience. Not only will you save money compared to buying them at the park, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you created something truly delicious. So, fire up your smoker, follow these simple steps, and get ready to enjoy some Disney-worthy turkey legs in the comfort of your own home!
Smoked Turkey Leg Brine
The magic step to making these smoked turkey legs comes from the brine. This magically wet curing liquid does 3 things to the turkey legs:
- It helps tenderize the meat.
- The brine gives the turkey that gorgeous signature pink color.
- It imparts a consistent saltiness throughout; wow, what a flavor!
This brine combined with the smoke makes for a flavor explosion, with tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
Where to Buy Turkey Legs
Now that you’re all set to start cooking the ultimate turkey smoke, where are those enormous turkey legs that you see at Disneyland? They’re male tom turkey legs. These guys can easily feed two people and range in weight from 1 ½ to 2 pounds each, making them a great choice when you’re in the park and in need of a serious protein boost.
But if you go to your neighborhood grocery store, you’ll discover that the majority of the turkey legs there are actually hen legs. These are smaller than those sold in Disneyland and are approximately 3/4 -1 pound a piece. For today’s recipe, we’re going with these hen legs. They are more widely available and taste just as good even though they aren’t as large as the tom turkey legs. I prefer to cook hen legs because they are quicker to prepare and make a more sensible serving size per person.
Sometimes you can get your butcher to get tom turkey legs if you’re really set on smoking the big tom legs. This same recipe works for these giant turkey legs, just keep in mind you’ll have to increase the cooking time to get them up to a safe consumable temperature. It takes a little more time and preparation, but if you can get your hands on some of these, I say go for it!
Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe
FAQ
At what temp are turkey legs done?
How long to smoke turkey at 225?
How do you smoke fall off the bone turkey legs?
Why are my smoked turkey legs tough?
What temperature should turkey legs be smoked?
Safe internal temperature of turkey is 165°. Although, through personal experience has showed me that at 165° internal temperature leg meat in not quite as done as it should be. That’s why I smoke my turkey legs until they reach 170°. How many turkey legs per person?
How long do you smoke turkey legs?
Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ and the turkey legs are deeply browned, 4-5 hours. Don’t be alarmed if the meat under the skin is pinkish; that’s a chemical reaction from the cure and the smoke. Serve immediately.
How do you cook smoked turkey legs for Thanksgiving?
About 3 hours before you’re ready to serve your smoked turkey legs for Thanksgiving dinner, pull them out of the brine. Discard the liquid. Place the legs on a sheet pan and pat the legs completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle my BBQ rub generously over the turkey legs. Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F, cooking indirectly.
Should you smoke turkey legs before smoking?
Turkey meat is notoriously dry, and the smoking process will cause significant moisture loss. Soaking the legs in brine for 24 hours before smoking adds additional moisture and makes the final product more tender. Because you’re starting with more moisture, you can smoke the legs for longer. More smoke means more flavor, and drier, crispier skin.