Dry Brine the Chicken Legs to Smoke on the Traeger After rinsing and drying, simply coat the outside of your chicken legs with kosher salt, or your favorite BBQ rub that has already salt in it. All rights reserved. Continue to cook at this final temperature for the remaining time. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');If youve got turkey leg quarters like we did, we recommend separating them like this and smoking your turkey thighs and legs separate rather than smoking the entire turkey leg quarter as one peice. Preheat your grill or smoker to a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Close the lid, set a timer for one hour, and kick back and relax. On the page Traeger Smoked Turkey Thighs search results , in addition to suggestions for recipes, tips or cooking ideas, popular searches also provide everyone with detailed information about food service and latest news. greenhornbbqbeer.com, trend Enjoy! Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","ac30fb89b2322a433fc0610703864894");document.getElementById("a8e045800f").setAttribute("id","comment"); BBQBudgetHolidayHow toRecipesRubsSmokingThanksgivingTurkeySee morePrevious article How to Make a Smoked PizzaNext article How to Make Smoked CabbageYou May Also Likein Outdoor CookingHow to Make a Smoked Turkey SandwichRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Turkey TenderloinsRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Turkey WingsRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make a Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast on a Traeger Pellet GrillRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make a Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast on a Pit Boss Pellet GrillRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Smoke a Turkey in a Masterbuilt Electric SmokerRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Turkey SoupRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Mashed PotatoesRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Brussel SproutsRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Pit Boss Pellet GrillRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make a Smoked Sirloin Tip RoastRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked CarrotsRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Pot Roast on a Traeger Pellet GrillRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Smoke a Chuck Roast on a Pit Boss Pellet GrillRead Morein Outdoor CookingHow to Smoke a Chuck Roast on a Traeger Pellet GrillRead MoreMore From: Outdoor CookingHow to Make Smoked Pork Chops in an Electric SmokerRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Chicken TacosRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Chicken KabobsRead MoreHow to Make a Smoked Turkey SandwichRead MoreHow to Start a New Z Grills Pellet Grill for the First TimeRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Turkey SoupRead MoreZ Grills 700D3 Pellet Grill: A Complete Review 2022Read MoreHow to Make Smoked CornbreadRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Mashed PotatoesRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Turkey TenderloinsRead MoreHow to Make Smoked CabbageRead MoreHow to Make a Smoked PizzaRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Turkey WingsRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Chocolate Chip CookiesRead MoreHow to Make Smoked Chocolate ChipsRead More, Thanks for visiting Madbackyard.com! Give the turkey thighs a good rinse and pat them dry with a paper towel and place them on a cutting board. Make sure to get both sides. (12-16 lb) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed, giblets removed. They will still have the same smoky flavor and be delicious. If using a gas grill, make an aluminum foil packet of wood chips with holes punched in it and set them on top of one of the burners to smoke. Breaking down the collagen in a 4-month old turkey that weighs between 15 to 25lbs doesnt require as much time as is required of those much larger animals. Season turkey thighs with dry rub for 4 hours and up to 12 hours before smoking. This solution often contains sugar, and Ive even seen some with trace starches in them. A medium sized whole turkey smokes on the pellet grill in about 3.5-4 hours STEP 1 - at 275 degrees F (for the first 2 hours). The turkey thighs need to be cooked to 165 degrees F. Then you will know that they are done; for best results, use a digital thermometer. Use a fireplace poker to stir the charcoal around and get more oxygen flow to the briquets. Rub it generously on the outside skin. Smoked Turkey Thighs are so meaty and delicious, they're sure to become your new favorite! The Brown Sugar offsets the saltiness. As you apply the rub the skin will start to get more wet as the salt in the rub pulls the moisture up to the surface. Check it out here! Instead, look for a very light trickle of smoke. Return the turkey to the pot and cover it with a tight-fitting lid. Pecan, apple, beech and cherry all give great results. Sprinkle poultry or BBQ seasoning over wings to coat. There are too many variables from fuel source to type of smoker to the size of meat to make a definitive declaration of cooking time on any piece of meat. Fortunately, there were several turkey cuts available for a very reasonable price and a few of them ended up in the shopping cart! Flip over the turkey thighs and continue to cook. This will only take a minute. Let that bird smoke its way to deliciousness while catching up with relatives on Thanksgiving. Hardwood or a hardwood blend is my choice of pellet for this recipe. www.tfrecipes.com, hot Turkey thighs, considered the dark meat part of the turkey, have a lot of collagen and connective tissue that need to break down so that the meat becomes tender. www.cookcraftcultivate.com, More Info At www.cookcraftcultivate.com , great Read recipe notes submitted by our community or add your own notes. Best with a spatchcock turkey, it uses a dry brine and is smothered in an herb mixture that leaves it juicy and delicious. While smoking, a little goes a long way. Turkey Thighs in Brown Sauce View Recipe Minnesota Mama "Turkey thighs are pan seared and then cooked in a sauce of canned soup and broth with onions, mushrooms, garlic and a little sherry wine," according to recipe creator Elizabeth . Brine the turkey legs, fully submerged, for 24 hours. Watch as Chef Jason, Ace's Grilling Expert, shows you how to prepare and smoke chicken thighs on your Traeger.Products Featured:Traeger Pellet Smokerhttps://. Poultry Turkey Thighs. The turkey thighs are done when they've reached a temperature of 165F internally. The turkey will be finished when the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees f and the internal temperature is 175 . Cherry is a mild wood that is great for poultry, but you dont want (or need) huge puffy, billowing smoke. 4 turkey legs 3 When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 250 and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. A turkey thigh measuring an internal temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit according to the FireBoard 2 Drive on a Weber Smokey Mountain smoker. When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 400 and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Fill your firebox or lower charcoal basin with about two chimneys worth of unlit charcoal and create a small hollowed out depression in the center where you can add your lit briquets. You will need to refill the wood chips every 30 minutes or so as they smolder out in the chip loader. Id pair it with a colorful Mexican Street Corn Salad, refreshing Shirazi Salad, or this Creamy Orzo with Tomatoes and Spinach. Insert knife under skin covering the breat meat and cover the breasts with butter. Step Five: Remove the thighs from the fresh water and pat it dry with a paper towel. Don't be alarmed if the meat under the skin is pinkish; that's a chemical reaction from the cure and the smoke. As outdoor living enthusiasts, we love to mention and link to various products we have used or researched. How to Make Smoked Pork Chops in an Electric Smoker, How to Start a New Z Grills Pellet Grill for the First Time, Cajun Butter Injected Smoked Turkey Breast, Boning Knife, imarku German High Carbon Stainless Steel, smoked turkey aside to pull for smoked turkey soup, Famous Daves Country Roast Chicken Seasoning 5.25 oz., 2 Pack, Pit Boss 20 lb Apple Blend Hardwood Pellets, ThermoPro TP19H Waterproof Digital Meat Thermometer, the easiest smokers for beginners to start with, Complete Guide to How to Use a Propane Smoker HERE, Masterbuilt Automatic Slow Smoker Attachment, Masterbuilt Slow Smoker Accessory Attachment, When the pellet grill has come up to temperature, Read Everything You Need to Know about how to use Smoker Boxes here, see a selection of our Favorite Pellet Tube Smokers here, comparison between smoker boxes and pellet tube smokers, LIZZQ Premium Pellet Smoker Tube 12 inches 5 Hours of Billowing Smoke for Any Grill or Smoker, How to Make a Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast on a Traeger Pellet Grill, How to Make a Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill, How to Smoke a Turkey in a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill, How to Make Smoked Pot Roast on a Traeger Pellet Grill, How to Smoke a Chuck Roast on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill, How to Smoke a Chuck Roast on a Traeger Pellet Grill, Z Grills 700D3 Pellet Grill: A Complete Review 2022, How to Make Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookies. In a bowl mix together your turkey dry rub ingredients. If making a sheet pan turkey, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place on a cutting board and pat dry with some paper towels. Simple Brine: This easy brine will make your chicken so tender and juicy, you will reach for this one all the time. The smoked flavor will be worth getting scrappy over. (Updated October 9, 2021). Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 and the turkey legs are deeply browned, 4-5 hours. The magic happens with the preparation. Preheat your Traeger pellet smoker as per the manufacturer's instructions, or heat your smoker up to about 180-F. Plug your electric smoker in, open the vents, and turn the temperature to 275 F. While it comes up to temperature, add smoking wood chips, not pellets, to the smoking wood tray. Cook them until the internal temperature reaches 160F. Whether you love a bowl full of fresh veggies or a simple, pizza poque poque with bagnet as topping, at Bistro Candon Siling duwag: I thought that, Tis the season for freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies and red- and green-frosted cupcakes and. 1 Tablespooncrushed allspice berries (optional). Sprinkle the thighs liberally with salt and the chicken rub. ** Set the smoker temperature to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Thread starter CMTiger; Start date Jul 10, 2021; Jul 10, 2021 #1 CMTiger Well-known member. Continue to baste and flip every 30 minutes until the turkey thighs reach a minimum internal temperature of 185F (approximately 3 hours), making sure to insert the thermometer in the thickest portion near the bone. Adjust the propane valve to continue maintaining a temperature of about 220F. Make the brine: Pour the water into a 5 gallon non-metal bucket. . When smoking, Turkey thighs, considered the "dark meat" part of the, Keep dinner light and cozy with these top-rated brothy soups. This post may contain affiliate link(s). So westarted them Low and Slow at 220F for about 2 Hours before bumping up the heat up to 325F to finish them off for the last hour or so. Brine them, smoke them, and enjoy one of the best bites that BBQ can produce. Cut the lemon and orange and add all ingredients to a large bowl. Store the rub in a small mason jar or container for up to a year or until it . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-banner-1-0');Pull the leg away from the thigh and move back and forth to feel where the joint is. Close the grill lid and allow the turkey to cook for 30 minutes per pound. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_19',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); For the first 2 hours at 220F, check the smoked turkey thighs every 30 minutes or so to make sure they are cooking evenly on the smoker and rotate as necessary if you see certain sides getting darker or looking more done. Turkeys stronger flavor can take a more aggressive smoke flavor. The turkey legs I usually see in the regular grocery stores are small, almost like chicken legs. Season the thighs. Baste the turkey with the butter and drippings periodically. This smoked turkey thigh recipe couldnt be any easier! Full of amazing flavor, one good size turkey thigh is enough for 2-3 people, and its so easy to create this flavorful dish! Remove the turkey thighs their packaging and rinse under cold running water. Take the fresh turkey and remove it from its package in a large sink. This meaty turkey thigh recipe can hold up to some equally flavorful side dishes. If you like the skin to be more crispy, then go with a higher heat of 300 up to around 400. 1 tsp finely ground black pepper. Mix the turkey dry rub ingredients in a small bowl (brown sugar, smoked paprika, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, crushed rosemary, poultry seasoning, and ground thyme). Remove the neck, gizzards and liver, setting aside (for stock or gravy). Oil the grates well with canola or vegetable oil using a paper towel. Prep your wood pellet (Traeger), charcoal, electric, or gas grill for smoking (see instructions above). tip Dry brining is essentially allowing your dry rub (that includes salt) some time to rest on your food before cooking it. Prepare this turkey outside on the Traeger to free up oven space for all the sides. Common poultry spice rub ingredients such as kosher salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. Beer Brine Kosher Salt and Brown Sugar are the working agents of the brine. Rotate the smoked turkey thighs as needed and cook at this temperature for about another hour, or until the internal temperature has reached 175F. Step Two: Add the Cherry Wood to the grill to create a light smoke. 4. Look for turkey thighs that are unseasoned. Often, chicken and turkey is injected with a brine solution to a) keep the meat tender and juicy and b) to pump up the weight so they can sell it for more money. If you are tired of having to reload fresh wood chips into your electric smoker, especially on longer cooks like pork butt and brisket, then check out this Masterbuilt Automatic Slow Smoker Attachment. Add the rest of the butter to a small bowl, cover it with a paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. I hate to use time as a guide for cooking or smoking anything. If you are looking to use an easy off the shelf barbecue rub with NO SUGAR, wed recommend Bad Byrons Butt Rub. For turkey we generally go for a milder smoke flavor by choosing oak or fruitwood pellets. Add the rubs generously on the outside and the inner cavity of the turkey. This will remove any excess salts from the skin. Poultry Seasoning After the thighs were removed from the brine, rinsed and patted dry, I used the poultry seasoning from Penzeys. Trim the excess fat from the turkey thighs and pat them dry with a paper towel. Add the rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, dijon mustard, maple syrup and stir. Set aside while the smoker heats up to allow the rub to melt in. Log In to your account to view and add notes to this recipe.Don't have an account? Serve with smoky cheddar mashed potatoes and . Flexible: Use the brine for chicken thighs, breasts, legs or even wings. I use my Traeger pellet smoker to make these delish thighs, and its practically set-it-and-forget it cooking. It may take 10-15 minutes for the pellet grill to rise in temperature this much. Great smoked food can be made right on your current gas grill. Rinse turkey under cold running water and pat dry. It ADDS GREAT FLAVOR for your meat or fish and exposes them to a tasteful smoke of smoldering wood. Our Sticky Smoked Sweet Potatoes go GREAT with Smoked Turkey Thighs! the thighs should be around 180 degrees. Remove from the smoker and let rest for 30 minutes before carving. Follow this step-by-step guide with tips on buying, brining, rubs, smoking woods, cooking times, and recipes. Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates. Pat turkey dry. Smoked Turkey by Rob Cooks Recipe | Traeger Grills best www. I used Deschutes Lil Squeezy Juicy Ale for the beer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. 1 tsp ground thyme. After 20 minutes of cook time, brush half the BBQ glaze on the tops of chicken thighs in the smoker (you don't need to flip them). Although there is more collagen and connective tissue in a turkey thigh than in a turkey breast, it isnt the same as the collagen found in a beef brisket or a pork shoulder. Smoked Turkey Legs are delicious too, and you can find our recipe for them HERE. . Rub the turkey thighs with your favorite spice rub, then place in the smoker, skin side up. When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 225F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Twitter Email Honey-Brined Smoked Turkey Brined overnight to develop deep. Traeger Pellets Sure Shot Sid's Gunpowder Seasoning Grill Tongs Ingredients 2 lbs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs 3 tbsp bbq seasoning rub Instructions Preheat your smoker to 275 degrees F. Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with a paper towel. I was looking for some turkey in the grocery store, but now that we are empty-nesters, I found it hard to justify buying a large bird just for the two of us. We would recommend using no more than 2-3 loads of wood chips in total, otherwise you may end up oversmoking the turkey thighs. honeysucklewhite.com, trend Step One: To prepare the brine, cut the lemon and orange into slices and add all of the remaining ingredients to the bowl. If they are connected to the legs as turkey leg quarters, separate the legs from the thighs using a sharp boning knife. The moisture in the skin should be more than enough to help any rub you use stick. Subscribe to get exclusive deals, tips, and the lastest info you need to step up your grilling game! Flip the turkey thighs skin side down and trim any excess skin hanging off the sides of each turkey thigh and also remove the small triangular tail bone at the bottom of each thigh if present. Instructions. We search and create information related to Traeger Smoked Turkey Thighs every day so there will be a lot of results displayed. Heat Traeger to 225 F. When the smoker is ready, place the turkey directly on the grill and stick the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Think you need a fancy smoker to smoke food at home? Then after that, turn up the currently lit far burner to HIGH and begin lighting and turning up additional burners as necessary to bring the temperature up to 325F. Combine sage, mustard, garlic powder, coriander, cumin and pepper; spread mixture over both sides of turkey thighs. Put it in your back pocket for a favorite. The salt from your dry rub pulls out the moisture of the turkey thigh, creating a concentrated brine that is then naturally absorbed back into the thigh over time. Or you can choose more traditional Thanksgiving flavors to pair them with some sweet potatoes or brussel sprouts. Season your turkey thighs with salt and pepper. 12 Cups Water. Pat the turkey thighs dry with paper towels, and place them on a cutting board. SMOKED TURKEY THIGHS with butter injection, on the Traeger pellet grill sound good to you? Use the 2-3 TBSP of olive oil and coat the entire exterior of the bird. You can prepare smoked turkey thighs with a smoker, charcoal grill, or even a gas grill. A few simple steps using a beer brine and some time on the grill made these an instant family favorite! Remove all of the contents from the inner cavity. Step 3 Approximately every 30 minutes, baste the turkey thighs with melted butter or olive oil that is mixed with some of the spice rub. Rinse the entire bird with water in your kitchen sink. Or check out this handy comparison between smoker boxes and pellet tube smokers if you cant decide which is right for you. Don't miss the information below because there will be a lot of useful information for you. You have a lot of great options when it comes to serving smoked turkey thighs! If your turkey thighs are already separated from the legs, feel free to skip down to the next section! Preheat your Traeger on High for 15 minutes to allow the grill to come up to temperature. We also like to always set some smoked turkey aside to pull for smoked turkey soup so keep that in mind when choosing your flavor profile! Yes. Watch as the temperature rises to around 300F and then start closing the vents down again back to 1/2 way open (or os open as needed) until maintaining a temperature of 325F in the grill. The turkey is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Fully-cooked. The solids can be discarded. Let cool to room temperature. Prepare Marinade & Inject Turkey. Add 1 chunk of smoking wood once the smoker is up to temperature, put the seasoned turkey thighs, skin side UP, on the oiled racks. Traeger Smoked Spatchcock Turkey Recipe Spatchcock Turkey is the best turkey! Traeger Smoked Turkey Legs made at home on your pellet grill! Great texture and flavor. Set the probe temperature to 165 F. Use Super Smoke if you have that option. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Smoking on a Gas Grill HERE. Want to see a list of our FAVORITE Vertical Smokers for 2022? Become an (even) better griller. Gluten Free. Check out some of our favorite Turkey and Side Dish recipes below that can easily be modified to be done on any grill or smoker. Cover the bucket and refrigerate overnight. Step 4 The brine needs a chance to work, so youll want to start the work on this about eight hours before you want to grill. Place apple halves and fresh herbs inside the cavities. Read Everything You Need to Know about how to use Smoker Boxes here, and see a selection of our Favorite Pellet Tube Smokers here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Rotate the turkey thighs as needed, maybe every 30 minutes for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thighs has reached 130-140F. . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madbackyard_com-sky-3','ezslot_27',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-sky-3-0');Cook at the 325F level for about another hour as described above, continuing to rotate the smoked turkey thighs as needed, until the internal temperature of each thighs has reached 175F. Keep the dampers about 1/2 way to 3/4 open until the temperature is in the 200F range. Close the lid and smoke thighs for 20 minutes (without sauce). When most people think about smoking turkey, but dont want to make a whole bird, they automatically think of making a smoked turkey breast. Smoke your turkey thighs at a smoking temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit until they reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit. RecipesChoice is a website that provides everything related to recipes and cooking tips to help people have great food and feel happier every time standing in their beloved kitchen. This smoked turkey thigh recipe couldn't be any easier! . Set up your charcoal grill for indirect cooking with a large mound of unlit briquets on one side and plan for your smoked turkey thighs to be on the other side. With all the extra juiciness added from the brine, you will have a little bit of play, and you shouldnt need to worry about it overcooking and becoming too dry. Remove the turkey from brine and pat dry. Mine usually take about 2 hours if Ive got the heat set to 180-F. Turkey thighs are delicious smoked, but they can also be baked in the oven, cooked in stews in the slow cooker, and even done in the air fryer. I'm a retired chef and business owner, and now cookbook author, food blogger, writer and mom. Bring to a boil then remove from heat. www.goodlifeeats.com, great Pour in the cooking liquid and stir the pot firmly with a wooden or plastic spoon to loosen any stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pot. Join us as we fire up the 30 years of backyard grill and smoker experience to create recipes for your family and friends where memories are made. Place the rubbed turkey directly on the rack in the smoker. These amazing Herb Infused Beer Brined Turkey Thighs are smoked with a very mild Cherry Wood for an amazing Juicy Meal! of about 175 or so. Step 1 - Remove any giblets and neck from the turkey's cavities. Perfect for smoke cheese. Refrigerate for 24 hours, then remove the turkey legs and discard the brine. Ingredients Directions Mix water, salt and sugar in a gallon bag. Smoke until the probe reaches 165 F.