First Time Smoking Turkey Legs

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tt ace

Smoke Blower
Original poster
SMF Premier Member
Jul 21, 2011
88
20
Vadito, NM
My mother in law put some turkey legs in my freezer and wanted me to try smoking them.  I told her I didn't have a lighter but maybe I could put them in my smoker and see what came out. 

On Wednesday morning I put them in a ziplock bag with a lemon pepper marinade.  About mid afternoon, I took them out of the bag, wiped the remaining marinade off, and applied my own Two Gray Hares New Mexico Green Chili Rub.  I put them on a plate uncovered in the refrigerator to help them dry out before smoking them.

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Yesterday afternoon I pulled them out of the refrigerator, patted whatever moisture accumulated off of them, and applied a little more rub.  Using an oak and mixed fruit smoke, I heated my Masterbuilt propane smoker to 250 and put the legs in.  I proceeded to raise the temp to about 300 for 15 minutes to help dry out the skin.  I then dropped the temp to 225.  I expected the legs to cook for about 3 1/2 hours but due to the small size of the legs they only took 2 hours.  There were two legs that were appreciably smaller than the others, so I did not put them in at the start but waited an hour.  I sprayed the legs with an apple cider/rum mixture twice.  I took the larger legs to 170 and took them out.  The smaller legs also were at the right temp so the timing worked well.

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We had a family dinner last night.  The legs were the hit of the evening.  I have never had legs that tasted as good or were as moist as these were.  The skin was not as crisp as I would like but was actually quite good eating (not rubbery).  My mother in law says she is going to sneak more of them into my freezer anytime she finds them! 

P.S.  She already has put some cornish game hens in the freezer.  Wonder what she wants me to do with them?
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Awesome Ace!

The legs look delicious and if you can make the Mother-in-law happy that's a real plus!!!!
 
Thanks Al!  I have a great mother in law.  Don't tell her I said so however!
 
ACE, I would love to hear more info on this, " Two Gray Hares New Mexico Green Chili Rub ", I'm always looking for Great New Ideas!...JJ
 
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Chef Jimmy J

Send me an e-mail at [email protected] with your address and I will send you some of my Two Gray Hares New Mexico Green Chili Rub and Two Gray Hares New Mexico Red Chili Rub.  I would like you to try them and let me know what you think.
 
Thanks to Chef Jimmy J for taking me up on my offer to try my New Mexico Chili Rubs.  Our relatives and friends tend to give us positive slanted opinions of things.  I appreciate Chef Jimmy taking the time to taste and review my rubs.  It is not often you can get someone with his expertise and status to give someone like me a chance.  Thank you, Chef Jimmy J!!!!
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