Roasted Smoky Turkey Legs Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Rinse the turkey legs and pat dry.
• Stand the turkey legs upright (as if the turkey were standing). Press a knife downward into the deep tissue, creating 2 or 3 long pockets. Press a piece of celery into each opening. Pull back the skin on the legs, rub with butter, and season with a little salt. Put the skin back into place, rub with more butter, and season lightly with salt. Lay the legs in a roasting pan.
• Roast uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Add more water if needed while roasting, and baste occasionally with the juices or butter.

Steps:

• Mix the salt, brown sugar, liquid smoke and water together until all is dissolved and pour the briny mixture over the turkey legs.
• Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 24-hours to 72-hours.
• Rinse the brine off the turkey, pat dry with paper towels and roast at 350°F for about 45 minutes.
• By this time, the turkey will almost be done, but the skin will still have a pale color, so I crank the oven up to 500°F and roast the legs/wings until they are a rich mahogany color, then I flip them over and roast the other side until it is also deep brown.

Steps:

• Several hours before planning on barbecuing, loosen the skin on the turkey legs by running your fingers under it as far as possible without tearing the skin.
• Combine the Worcestershire sauce and the oil. Coat your fingers with the mixture and rub really well into the turkey legs, getting as much as you can under the skin. Sprinkle the Dry Rub over the skin, liberally rubbing into the turkey legs and under the skin. Place the legs in plastic bags and refrigerate.
• Prepare the smoker for barbecuing, bringing the temperature to 200 to 220 degrees F. Remove the turkey legs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Re-warm the mop mixture over low heat.
• Transfer the turkey legs to the smoker. Cook until the legs are very tender and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Mop the legs at 45-minute intervals in a wood-burning pit, or as appropriate for your style of smoker. Serve the legs hot, to be eaten with your fingers, with a side of barbecue sauce.
• Mix ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Combine the mop ingredients in a small saucepan and warm the mixture over low heat.