What to Do With Leftover Smoked Turkey Legs: 10+ Delicious Recipes

Smoked Turkey Legs: A Delicious and Festive Main Course

Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and festive main course for any occasion. They’re easy to cook, and they can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Plus, they make a great centerpiece for any holiday meal.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to smoke turkey legs, as well as some of the different ways to enjoy them. We’ll also provide some tips for making the most of your smoked turkey legs.

So whether you’re looking for a new way to cook turkey for Thanksgiving or you’re just looking for a delicious and easy meal, smoked turkey legs are a great option.

What To Do With Smoked Turkey Legs?	Ingredients	Instructions
Smoked Turkey Legs Tacos	Smoked turkey legs, corn tortillas, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, cheese	1. Shred the smoked turkey legs. 2. Warm the corn tortillas in a skillet over medium heat. 3. Fill each tortilla with shredded turkey legs, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese. 4. Serve immediately.
Smoked Turkey Legs with Sweet Potato Fries	Smoked turkey legs, sweet potato fries, barbecue sauce	1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil and salt. 3. Spread the sweet potato fries on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. 4. While the sweet potato fries are baking, shred the smoked turkey legs. 5. Serve the smoked turkey legs with sweet potato fries and barbecue sauce.
Smoked Turkey Legs with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy	Smoked turkey legs, mashed potatoes, gravy	1. Shred the smoked turkey legs. 2. Mash the potatoes. 3. Make the gravy according to the package directions. 4. Serve the smoked turkey legs with mashed potatoes and gravy.

How to Smoke Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and flavorful way to enjoy this holiday staple. They’re perfect for a special occasion or a simple weeknight meal.

To smoke turkey legs, you’ll need the following:

• A smoker or grill
• Wood chips (hickory, apple, or oak are all good options)
• Turkey legs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: Rub

Equipment and Ingredients

• Smoker or grill: You can use a charcoal smoker, a gas smoker, or a pellet smoker. If you’re using a charcoal smoker, you’ll need to build a fire and let it burn down to coals. If you’re using a gas smoker, you’ll need to preheat it to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using a pellet smoker, you’ll need to set the temperature to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wood chips: Wood chips add flavor to the smoked turkey legs. Hickory, apple, and oak are all good options.
• Turkey legs: You can use bone-in or boneless turkey legs. Bone-in turkey legs will take longer to cook, but they will also be more flavorful.
• Salt: Salt is essential for seasoning the turkey legs.
• Pepper: Pepper adds a bit of heat to the turkey legs.
• Optional: Rub: A rub is a mixture of spices that can be used to season the turkey legs. You can use a store-bought rub or make your own.

Steps

1. Prepare the turkey legs. Rinse the turkey legs under cold water and pat them dry. If you’re using bone-in turkey legs, remove the excess skin and fat.
2. Season the turkey legs. Rub the turkey legs with salt and pepper. You can also add a rub, if desired.
3. Smoke the turkey legs. Place the turkey legs in the smoker and smoke them for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Let the turkey legs rest. Remove the turkey legs from the smoker and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks

• To make sure the turkey legs are cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you’re using a charcoal smoker, you’ll need to add wood chips every hour or so to maintain the smoke.
• If you’re using a gas smoker, you can add wood chips to the smoker box or use a smoke tube.
• You can also smoke turkey legs in the oven. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the turkey legs for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Smoked turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Storing Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To store smoked turkey legs in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or bag. To store smoked turkey legs in the freezer, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

When you’re ready to eat the smoked turkey legs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave on the defrost setting.

You can also reheat smoked turkey legs in the oven or on the grill.

How long to store smoked turkey legs

Smoked turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store smoked turkey legs

To store smoked turkey legs in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or bag. To store smoked turkey legs in the freezer, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

3. Reheating Smoked Turkey Legs

How to Reheat Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and festive dish, but they can be tricky to reheat without drying them out. Here are a few tips for reheating smoked turkey legs so that they stay moist and flavorful:

1. Start with cold turkey legs. If you reheat smoked turkey legs that have been sitting out at room temperature for a long period of time, they will likely dry out. To avoid this, reheat the turkey legs from a cold start.
2. Use a low and slow heat source. The best way to reheat smoked turkey legs is to use a low and slow heat source, such as a slow cooker or oven. This will help to prevent the turkey legs from drying out.
3. Cover the turkey legs. When reheating smoked turkey legs, it is important to cover them with foil or a lid. This will help to keep the moisture in and prevent the turkey legs from drying out.
4. Don’t overcook the turkey legs. It is important to reheat smoked turkey legs until they are heated through, but not so much that they dry out. To test if the turkey legs are done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are some specific instructions for reheating smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker, oven, and microwave:

To reheat smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker:

1. Place the turkey legs in a slow cooker.
2. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
3. Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or until the turkey legs are heated through.

To reheat smoked turkey legs in the oven:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the turkey legs on a baking sheet.
3. Cover the baking sheet with foil.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the turkey legs are heated through.

To reheat smoked turkey legs in the microwave:

1. Place the turkey legs on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Cover the plate with a paper towel.
3. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the turkey legs are heated through.

Tips for Reheating Smoked Turkey Legs

• If you are reheating smoked turkey legs that have been frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• To add flavor to your reheated smoked turkey legs, you can brush them with a sauce or marinade before reheating.
• You can also shred the smoked turkey legs and use them in a variety of dishes, such as soups, salads, and sandwiches.

4. Using Smoked Turkey Legs

Ideas for Using Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey legs are a versatile and delicious meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are a few ideas for using smoked turkey legs:

• Serve them as a main course. Smoked turkey legs are a great way to feed a crowd. They can be served whole, or they can be shredded and used in a variety of dishes.
• Use them in soups and stews. Smoked turkey legs add a delicious flavor to soups and stews. They can be added to the pot whole, or they can be shredded and added to the soup or stew at the end of cooking.
• Make sandwiches with them. Smoked turkey legs are a great addition to sandwiches. They can be used as a main filling, or they can be added to a variety of sandwiches, such as BLTs, club sandwiches, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Use them in salads. Smoked turkey legs are a great addition to salads. They can be added to a variety of salads, such as chicken salad, taco salad, and Caesar salad.
• Make tacos or burritos with them. Smoked turkey legs are a great way to make tacos or burritos. They can be shredded and used as a filling, or they can be used as a taco or burrito shell.
• Use them in pasta dishes. Smoked turkey legs are a great addition to pasta dishes. They can be added to a variety of pasta dishes, such as spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli.

Recipes Using Smoked Turkey Legs

Here are a few recipes that use smoked turkey legs:

• [Smoked Turkey Legs with Barbecue Sauce](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/215465/smoked-turkey-legs-with-barbecue-sauce/)

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What are some ways to use smoked turkey legs?

• Serve them as an appetizer or main course. Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and versatile protein that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be served as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, or as a main course with sides like mashed potatoes, vegetables, and gravy.
• Use them in soups, stews, and chili. Smoked turkey legs can be added to soups, stews, and chili to add flavor and protein. They can also be shredded and used as a filling for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
• Braise them in a flavorful liquid. Braising smoked turkey legs in a flavorful liquid like wine, stock, or beer will create a tender and flavorful dish. The legs can be braised in the oven or on the stovetop.
• Smoke them again. If you have leftover smoked turkey legs, you can smoke them again to create a different flavor profile. This is a great way to use up leftover legs, and it’s a fun way to experiment with different flavors.

How do I store smoked turkey legs?

Smoked turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To store them in the refrigerator, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. To store them in the freezer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag.

How do I reheat smoked turkey legs?

There are a few different ways to reheat smoked turkey legs. You can reheat them in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.

• To reheat them in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the turkey legs in aluminum foil and place them in a baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
• To reheat them on the stovetop, heat some oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey legs and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until heated through.
• To reheat them in the microwave, place the turkey legs on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

What are some tips for smoking turkey legs?

• Choose a good quality turkey leg. Look for a turkey leg that is plump and meaty. The skin should be smooth and free of blemishes.
• Marinate the turkey legs before smoking them. Marinating the turkey legs will help to add flavor and moisture. You can use a variety of different marinades, such as a simple salt and pepper rub, a vinegar-based marinade, or a beer-based marinade.
• Smoke the turkey legs at a low temperature. Smoking the turkey legs at a low temperature will help to create a moist and flavorful dish. The ideal smoking temperature is between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Smoke the turkey legs for a long time. The longer you smoke the turkey legs, the more flavorful they will be. The minimum smoking time is 3 hours, but you can smoke them for up to 8 hours if you like.
• Rest the turkey legs before serving them. After you smoke the turkey legs, let them rest for at least 15 minutes before serving them. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to firm up.

  Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking for a simple appetizer or a hearty main course, smoked turkey legs are sure to please.

In this article, we discussed the different ways to smoke turkey legs, as well as some of the best sides and sauces to serve with them. We also provided tips on how to store and reheat smoked turkey legs so that you can enjoy them at your leisure.

We hope that this article has given you the information you need to smoke your own delicious turkey legs. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Here are some key takeaways from the article:

• Smoked turkey legs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
• The best wood for smoking turkey legs is hickory, oak, or applewood.
• To smoke turkey legs, you will need a smoker, wood chips, and turkey legs.
• The smoking process takes about 3-4 hours.
• You can serve smoked turkey legs with a variety of sides and sauces, such as mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, and barbecue sauce.
• Smoked turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• To reheat smoked turkey legs, you can bake them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until heated through.