How to Cook Perfectly Juicy Turkey Legs on the Grill
How to Cook Turkey Legs on the Grill
Turkey legs are a delicious and impressive main course for any cookout or holiday gathering. They’re also relatively easy to cook, as long as you know a few key tips.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of grilling turkey legs, from start to finish. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right turkey legs to preparing them for the grill. We’ll also give you some tips on how to cook them so that they’re juicy and flavorful.
So whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a novice, read on for all the information you need to know about grilling turkey legs.
| Step | Instructions | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat your grill to medium heat. | If using a charcoal grill, build a medium-hot fire. If using a gas grill, set the heat to medium. |
| 2 | Rub the turkey legs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. | You can also use your favorite dry rub or marinade. |
| 3 | Place the turkey legs on the grill, skin side up. | Close the grill lid and cook for 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. |
| 4 | Flip the turkey legs and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. | The internal temperature of the turkey legs should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| 5 | Let the turkey legs rest for 5 minutes before serving. | Serve with your favorite sides, such as grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice. |
How Do You Cook Turkey Legs On The Grill?
Grilled turkey legs are a delicious and impressive way to cook a turkey for a crowd. They’re easy to cook, and they come out with a delicious, smoky flavor.
Choosing the Right Turkey Legs
When choosing turkey legs for grilling, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Size: Turkey legs come in a variety of sizes. The size you choose will depend on how many people you’re feeding and how much meat you want per person. For a large group, you’ll want to choose larger legs. For a smaller group, you can get away with smaller legs.
- Type of meat: Turkey legs come in two types of meat: dark meat and white meat. Dark meat is the meat from the legs and thighs, and it’s typically darker and more flavorful than white meat. White meat is the meat from the breast, and it’s lighter and more delicate in flavor.
- Marinade: Marinating your turkey legs before grilling is a great way to add flavor and moisture. You can use any type of marinade you like, but some popular options include:
- A simple salt and pepper rub
- A marinade made with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs
- A marinade made with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger
Preparing the Turkey Legs
Before grilling your turkey legs, you’ll need to prepare them.
- Thawing: If your turkey legs are frozen, you’ll need to thaw them before grilling. You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, or you can thaw them in a sink full of cold water.
- Brining: Brining your turkey legs is an optional step, but it can help to make them more flavorful and juicy. To brine your turkey legs, you’ll need to:
- Place the turkey legs in a large container.
- Add enough water to cover the turkey legs.
- Add 1 cup of salt for every gallon of water.
- Stir to dissolve the salt.
- Cover the container and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.
- Seasoning: Once your turkey legs are thawed and brined (if desired), you’ll need to season them. You can use any type of seasoning you like, but some popular options include:
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
Grilling the Turkey Legs
Grilling turkey legs is a relatively simple process.
1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. Oil the grill grates.
3. Place the turkey legs on the grill.
4. Grill the turkey legs for 30-40 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Baste the turkey legs with your favorite barbecue sauce every 10 minutes or so.
6. Remove the turkey legs from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Grilled turkey legs are a delicious and impressive way to cook a turkey for a crowd. They’re easy to cook, and they come out with a delicious, smoky flavor. So next time you’re looking for a way to cook a turkey, give grilled turkey legs a try!
How Do You Cook Turkey Legs On The Grill?
Grilling turkey legs is a great way to cook them for a summer barbecue or picnic. The high heat of the grill caramelizes the skin and creates a delicious smoky flavor. Turkey legs are also a relatively inexpensive cut of meat, so they’re a great option for a budget-friendly meal.
To cook turkey legs on the grill, you will need:
- 2-4 turkey legs
- 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush the turkey legs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the turkey legs for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the skin is browned and the meat is cooked through.
4. Baste the turkey legs with barbecue sauce and continue to grill for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is heated through.
5. Remove the turkey legs from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Cooking the Turkey Legs
When cooking turkey legs on the grill, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Grilling temperature: The ideal grilling temperature for turkey legs is medium-high heat. This will help to caramelize the skin and create a delicious smoky flavor.
- Grilling time: Turkey legs will take about 3-4 minutes per side to cook through. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the legs and the heat of your grill.
- Basting: Baste the turkey legs with barbecue sauce or your favorite marinade every few minutes to keep them moist and flavorful.
Caring for Leftover Turkey Legs
Once you’ve cooked your turkey legs, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also reheat them on the grill for a few minutes to give them a crispy skin.
Storing Leftover Turkey Legs
To store leftover turkey legs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe bag and seal it tightly. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them according to the directions above.
Reheating Leftover Turkey Legs
To reheat leftover turkey legs, you can either reheat them in the oven or on the grill. To reheat them in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the turkey legs in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the turkey legs are heated through. To reheat them on the grill, preheat your grill to medium heat and place the turkey legs on the grill grates. Grill for 5-10 minutes, or until the turkey legs are heated through.
How do I cook turkey legs on the grill?
To cook turkey legs on the grill, you will need:
- 2 turkey legs
- 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the turkey legs to the bowl and coat them evenly with the marinade.
4. Place the turkey legs on the grill and cook for 1 hour, or until the meat is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
5. Baste the turkey legs with the marinade every 15 minutes while they are cooking.
6. Remove the turkey legs from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What is the best way to grill turkey legs?
The best way to grill turkey legs is to cook them over indirect heat. This will help to prevent the meat from drying out. You can also baste the turkey legs with barbecue sauce or another type of marinade while they are cooking to add flavor and moisture.
How long do I cook turkey legs on the grill?
Turkey legs will take about 1 hour to cook on the grill, or until the meat is cooked through and the skin is crispy. You can check to see if the turkey legs are done by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
**What temperature should I grill turkey legs?
You should grill turkey legs over indirect heat at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help to prevent the meat from drying out.
What can I serve with turkey legs?
There are many different side dishes that you can serve with turkey legs. Some popular options include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked beans
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw
- Salad
- Rolls
How do I store leftover turkey legs?
Leftover turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, you can either place them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or microwave them on high for 2-3 minutes.
Can I freeze turkey legs?
Yes, you can freeze turkey legs. To freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw them, place them in the refrigerator overnight.
grilling turkey legs is a great way to cook them for a delicious and flavorful meal. By following the tips in this article, you can ensure that your turkey legs come out perfectly cooked every time. So what are you waiting for? Fire up the grill and get cooking!
Here are some key takeaways from the article:
- Marinating your turkey legs before grilling will help to add flavor and moisture.
- Be sure to cook your turkey legs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grilling turkey legs over indirect heat will help to prevent them from burning.
- Baste your turkey legs with your favorite barbecue sauce or marinade while they are grilling to add even more flavor.
With a little bit of planning and effort, you can easily grill up some delicious and juicy turkey legs for your next cookout. So what are you waiting for? Get grilling!
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With over 30 years experience, Lucks Caterers is a second generation family owned and operated business. We are committed to maintaining our family tradition of outstanding quality, excellence and reliability.
Our European trained head chef develops beautiful and delicious foods to catch the eye and satisfy the palate. Lucks provides you with imaginative and affordable menu selections.
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