If you have ever been to a state fair, Renaissance fair, or festival, you have likely seen and tried a smoked turkey drumstick. These were the first fair food on a stick and they make a tasty addition to any meal or picnic. Instead of taking fried chicken on your next outdoor picnic, try these smoked turkey legs. They are easier to make than you might think. You can make them in your oven at home. These require marinating time of two to three days before cooking. You will need to plan ahead if you want to serve these on a specific day.
Instructions
1. Combine the curing salt, brown sugar, water and liquid smoke in the large bowl.
2. Add the turkey legs to the bowl.
3. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to marinate for 48 to 72 hours (2 to 3 days).
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Pull the turkey legs from the marinade and shake off excess marinade.
6. Place the turkey legs on a baking sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers done for poultry.
7. Turn the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and roast them for another 5 to 10 minutes, until they are deeply browned on the outside. Flip the drumsticks and move them around in the pan to ensure browning on all sides.
8. Remove them from the oven. Let the drumsticks rest on the baking pan for at least 15 minutes before removing them to a serving platter to serve.
Tags: turkey legs, degrees Fahrenheit, minutes until, oven degrees, oven degrees Fahrenheit, smoked turkey