Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
Cook turkey legs to a juicy golden brown by adding flavor at every step. Turkey legs, or drumsticks, have large pieces of dark rich meat centered on a large bone and covered in skin. Introduce your favorite flavors with a salty-sweet brine, spiced dry rub, seasoned baste and your choice of hardwood smoke. Grilling the drumsticks slowly with indirect heat will cook the meat through without burning the surface.
Bring filtered water to a rapid boil in a large stockpot on your stove before removing it from the heat.
Stir the salt and brown sugar into the hot water with a wooden spoon and let the mixture cool for 1 hour.
Pour the ice into a large food-safe plastic container and add the cooled brine and turkey legs.
Seal the lid of the container tightly and keep it in the refrigerator at least 6 hours or overnight.
Remove the drumsticks from the brine and pat them completely dry with paper towel.
Soak your favorite hardwood chunks in water in a shallow aluminum pan for at least 1 hour. Soaked wood chunks will smolder longer and produce thicker smoke.
Heat the grill so there is a cool section and a hot section. Separate the hot coals of charcoal grills so there is an empty space or leave one set of burners off on a gas grill.
Pour off the excess water and place the aluminum pan holding the hardwood chunks directly over the heat source in the hottest part of the grill.
Apply the dry seasoning rub to the entire surface of both turkey legs.
Set the drumsticks on the cool side of the grill and close the lid. Closed-lid grilling traps heat and steam for faster cooking and a moister product.
Turn the turkey legs with grill tongs every 10 minutes as you baste them with your favorite barbecue sauce or seasoned basting liquid.
Check the internal temperature of the turkey by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone.
Remove the turkey legs to a cutting board for a 5-minute rest when they have reached an internal temperature of 180 degrees F.
Related Articles
How to Bake Spare Ribs Before BBQing
The Best Way to Smoke Yellowtail
How to Use Wood Chips in a Smoker
How to Barbecue Ribs With a Gas Grill
How to BBQ Ribs on a Smoker
How to Roast a Split Turkey
How to Smoke a Ham Shank on a Charcoal ...
How to Deep-Fry Turkeys and Ducks
How to Smoke Ribs With a Gas Smoker
How to Marinate BBQ Chicken Thighs & ...
How to BBQ Salmon Fillets
How to Smoke a Whole Pig Leg
Shank Ham Cooking Directions
How to Quickly Cook Fork-Tender Ribs
How to Grill Ribs on a Charcoal Grill
Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe
How to Barbecue Turkey Legs in Foil
How to BBQ the Eye of Round Roast
How to Cook a Large Amount of Corned ...
How to Smoke Pork on a Gas Grill
References
Writer Bio
Jeffrey Brian Airman is a writer, musician and food blogger. A 15-year veteran of the restaurant industry, Airman has used his experience to cover food, restaurants, cooking and do-it-yourself projects. Airman also studied nursing at San Diego State University.
Photo Credits
Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images