Turkey leg recipes

[ccfdmike]

   
Hi, everyone!
I'm brand new to this site and can't wait to take advantage of all the expertise here! I'm from Manhattan Beach, Ca. and just ordered my first smoker.  I've been grilling forever and decided to give smoking a whirl after having some unbelievable pulled pork and ribs out of a friends smoker. My wife's first request was for smoked turkey legs, so am trying to pull together some recipes.  Happy wife, happy life!

Thanks!

[Habanero Smoker]

Hi ccfdmike;

For turkey legs, are you just looking to smoke/cook them, or are you looking for the cured styled turkey legs you often find vendors selling at festivals.

There are a couple of pulled turkey leg recipes on the recipe site.

Turkey

[ccfdmike]

Thanks, HS.  I should have been more specific, but the festival types legs are the ones that I was shooting for.  Thanks for the link ;D

[Habanero Smoker]

The festival ones are generally wet brine, and often sodium nitrite has been added to the cure. If you want the ham like flavored turkey legs:

With cure (for ham like flavor):
1 gal. water
3/4 cup pickling/canning salt
3 oz. Cure #1
1 cup white sugar, or brown sugar
*Additional seasonings you may like.

Without Cure:
1 gal. water
1 cup pickling/canning salt
1 cup white sugar, or brown sugar
*Additional seasonings you may like.

With either brine solution; brine legs for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. I would not brine beyond 1.5 hours with this brine. Remove from brine and pat dry. Air dry uncovered in the refrigerator until skin is tacky, or over night. If you want to can add additional seasoning just before cooking, but be lite with any additional salt.

You can use the turkey leg recipe on the recipe site for the smoking/cooking method, but remove the legs early and finish on the grill or oven to crisp the skin.