Grilled Turkey Legs are a great alternative to a traditional roasted turkey for your holiday feast. Simple to make and so delicious too.
I love a good turkey leg. It comes from all my time spent at the state fair as a kid. Every year my family would spend days there at the end of the summer.
So, of course, I had to come up with a great recipe for my own grilled turkey leg. Picture this: Golden-brown turkey legs, grilled to perfection with crispy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside.
The mouthwatering aroma of smoked paprika and garlic powder wafts through the air as you take a bite of the succulent dark meat. If this sounds like a dream come true, then you’re in for a treat with my Grilled Turkey Legs recipe!
Grilled Turkey Legs are a sure-fire way to elevate your culinary game. They’re not just a theme park delicacy, but they can be the star of your dinner table!
Whether you’re reminiscing about that giant turkey leg you had at Disney World or simply craving some hearty dark meat, this recipe is a must-try.
Easy to prepare and even more delightful to eat, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again.
So the next time you spot turkey legs at your local grocery store, you know what to do. Happy grilling!
Common Questions About Grilled Turkey Legs
Can I Use a Gas Grill Instead of a Charcoal Grill?
Absolutely! Whether you have a gas grill or a charcoal grill, both work well for this recipe. The key is to maintain the right internal temperature and adjust between direct and indirect heat. If you’re great at grilling, you’ll know what to do!
How Do I Ensure the Crispy Skin?
For that enviable crispy skin, spray the turkey leg with cooking spray and sear over direct heat, rotating every 5 minutes. Trust your gut, as I like to say. If it looks good to you, then great! Just check the temp to be sure they’re done.
Why Bring the Turkey Legs to Room Temperature Before Grilling?
Bringing the turkey legs to room temperature ensures even cooking. It prevents the outside from cooking too quickly while the inside remains raw.
Storage
Although I love them the most when they’re fresh off the grill, it’s great to have leftover turkey as well. Here are a few pointers if you’re looking to store your turkey legs.
Refrigerator
Leftover grilled turkey legs should be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days.
Freezer
If you wish to freeze them, wrap each leg individually in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer bags. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Tips
The meat thermometer is key here. I find that when I don’t have one, I’m always second-guessing myself. “Is it done? Oh man, I’m not sure!” Take the guesswork out of it and get yourself a cheap thermometer.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the right internal temperature.
- Rotate the turkey legs regularly to achieve even cooking and a crispy skin.
- Try using wood chips (like cherry wood) for added smokiness if using a charcoal grill.
- For best results, allow the seasoned turkey legs to come to room temperature before grilling.
- Using cooking spray not only aids in achieving a crispy skin but also prevents sticking to the grill grates.
Ingredients
That smoked paprika really levels up your turkey legs. I really love the flavor and color that it brings.
- Turkey legs
- Unsalted butter
- Seasoned salt
- Coarse black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dried basil
- Cooking spray
How to Make Grilled Turkey Legs
It’s always a good idea to let your meat rest a bit before you enjoy it. Resting lets the juices distribute evenly throughout the meat. You’ll have the best flavor and experience that way, and you won’t burn your tongue, haha!
- Melt the butter and combine the seasonings with the melted butter in a small bowl.
- Brush the seasoning mixture onto the turkey legs and set aside and allow them to come to room temperature while you preheat the grill to 400° F.
- Spray the entire turkey leg with cooking spray and place turkey legs directly onto the grill over direct heat.
- Rotate the legs a quarter turn every 5 minutes to sear the outside of the legs.
- Turn the grill down to 300° F (indirect heat) and cook until the internal temperature is 165° F. Continue to rotate legs every 5 minutes while cooking.
- Remove from the grill and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Grilled Turkey Legs
A good basting brush is super handy with this. If you want, you can even baste it more while it’s grilling, along with using the cooking spray. More flavor is good, right?
- Small bowl (for butter and seasoning mix)
- Grill (gas grill or charcoal grill)
- Meat thermometer
- Grill brush or basting brush
What to Serve With Grilled Turkey Legs
I find that I like a good side salad to balance out the meatiness of the turkey legs. It’s always good to lighten things up a bit when you’re dealing with a big ‘old leg of meat!
- Lemon butter sauce for a zesty touch
- Homemade BBQ sauce for a classic pairing
- Your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes like mashed potatoes or green beans
- A simple brine or dry rub can elevate the flavors if prepared the night before.
Why You Should Make Grilled Turkey Legs
Just imagine a bunch of turkey legs on a platter as you serve your friends or family. What a power move! Ha!
- Festive Feel: Perfect for small Thanksgiving gatherings or any festive occasion.
- Flavorful: The combination of seasonings brings out the best in turkey meat.
- Variety: Step away from the traditional whole turkey or turkey breast and try something different.
- Satisfying: One leg is filling and makes for a hearty meal.
Variations and Add-Ins for Grilled Turkey Legs
Got an idea for changing things up a bit? Well, you don’t need my permission. Go for it! Turkey legs love seasoning just like the whole bird does. Experiment a little and you just might make the best turkey leg ever!
- BBQ Turkey Legs: Brush with barbecue sauce in the last 10 minutes of grilling.
- Lemon Pepper: Add lemon juice and lemon pepper for a tangy flavor.
- Chili Infusion: Sprinkle some chili powder for a mild kick.
- Spanish Twist: Experiment with Spanish recipe-inspired seasonings like saffron and cumin.
- Mexican Flair: Incorporate Mexican recipes-inspired spices such as ground cumin and coriander.
If you love this easy turkey leg recipe, you’re going to love these other turkey recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Grilled Holiday Recipes
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Grilled Turkey Legs
Ingredients
- 6 turkey legs
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 3 teaspoons black pepper coarse
- 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Melt the butter and combine the seasonings with the melted butter in a small bowl.
- Brush the seasoning mixture onto the turkey legs and set aside and allow them to come to room temperature while you preheat the grill to 400° F.
- Spray the entire turkey leg with cooking spray and place them directly onto the grill over direct heat.
- Rotate the legs a quarter turn every 5 minutes to sear the outside of the legs.
- Turn the grill down to 300° F (indirect heat) and cook until the internal temperature is 165° F. Continue to rotate legs every 5 minutes while cooking.
- Remove from the grill and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Equipment
- gas grill
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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