Let's Talk BBQ

Recipes => Recipes => Poultry => Topic started by: TentHunteR on September 22, 2012, 10:37:08 PM

Title: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: TentHunteR on September 22, 2012, 10:37:08 PM: I haven't been able to smoke anything for a few weeks so I am itching to do something. How about some turkey legs, you know the kind you get at the county fair that have been brined & cured like ham.

Here we go...

Six turkey Legs - about 5 pounds in all.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-motJk7TAeCM/UF5qd4LuMnI/AAAAAAAADOA/2EzWtwkF-vk/s640/TRKYLGS1.JPG)

Mix up some of my basic lower sodium brown sugar ham brine (see recipe below) and inject.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ybTJSjHaFi8/UF5qd_AApJI/AAAAAAAADN8/jhcCO4mblfA/s740/TRKYLGS2.JPG)

Pour rest of brine over top, cover and into the fridge to brine/cure for 24 hours (they will get flipped/rotated before going to bed).
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MbmF7mvLj5Q/UF5qd-fPgPI/AAAAAAAADOE/g12d15saDpk/s640/TRKYLGS3.JPG)

Recipe:
3 Quarts Cold filtered (or distilled) Water .
6 1/2 TBS Pickling Salt
2 tsp. Curing Salt #1 (also know as Prague Powder #1 - contains 6.25% Sodium Nitrite)
2/3 Cup Brown Sugar

Inject each turkey leg with 3 liq. oz of the brine. Immerse turkey legs in the rest of the brine and soak overnight in the fridge.

The next day, remove from brine and pat dry. Smoke at a low temp (165° - 185°) for about 45 minutes, then raise temp to 350° - 400° and cook until an internal temperature of 165° is reached.

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Stay tuned...
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: teesquare on September 22, 2012, 10:50:35 PM: Man...I am salivatin' already Cliff!
T
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: muebe on September 22, 2012, 11:40:50 PM: Those are gonna be good Cliff ;)
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: sparky on September 23, 2012, 12:13:49 AM: looking forward to this one TH.
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: squirtthecat on September 23, 2012, 08:15:12 AM: Oh yeah, caveman snacks!
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: smokeasaurus on September 23, 2012, 09:01:02 AM: Watchin this one!!!!
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: TentHunteR on September 23, 2012, 11:15:36 AM: Quote from: squirtthecat on September 23, 2012, 08:15:12 AM

Oh yeah, caveman snacks!

LOL! ;D
Title: County Fair Style Turkey legs - Done!
Post by: TentHunteR on September 24, 2012, 12:35:15 AM: Turkey legs are done!

After a 24 hour brine cure they were taken out of the brine and patted dry.

I thought long and hard about what kind of rub/seasoning to apply. I finally settled on a light coating of fresh cracked black pepper only. Onto the MAK in smoke mode for about 45 minutes, then crank the heat up to 400°.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9QksN29Zc_Y/UF_NiApX0LI/AAAAAAAADPc/M-xj_xmX25w/s640/TRKYLGS4.JPG)

Almost done...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n1TT5pxC7jE/UF_NiAhzN7I/AAAAAAAADPc/Dpx18X2Nd1Y/s740/TRKYLGS5.JPG)

Time to add some Apple Crisp for dessert & some Pierogi Casserole (mashed potatoes, onion & chives layered between lasagna noodles & topped with some cheddar - YUM!).
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJJnG7TCGKw/UF_NifzG9DI/AAAAAAAADPc/im9TQcrWXN8/s640/TRKYLGS6.JPG)

Since these were dark meat I let them ride and pulled them at an I.T. of 185°
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DC2CyDFw6KQ/UF_Ni0c3M6I/AAAAAAAADPc/bGYnkKvZFCA/s739/TRKYLGS7.JPG)

Ooh La La were these good. The Black Pepper only as a rub was the right choice. The meat had that smoky, hammy quality I was after and was super moist & tender. The salt level was just right with just a hint of molasses & sweetness from the brown sugar. Even the skin was great and not leathery. These will definitely be a repeat performance.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-89sfll6Lslo/UF_bGlxDU2I/AAAAAAAADSQ/28sQhZlhJU4/s720/TRKYLGS9.JPG)

Desert was some Apple Crisp with a glass of cold cider to wash it down.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yHyEY6xSxEM/UF_Oc10PtRI/AAAAAAAADQw/DyQ60gK_JdM/s720/AppleCrisp2.JPG)

Craving satisfied, Thanks for looking! :)
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: muebe on September 24, 2012, 12:45:36 AM: Great job Cliff!

I gotta try making these ;)
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: Keymaster on September 24, 2012, 07:01:24 AM: Nice Job, Them turkey legs look very good!!!
Title: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: mikecorn.1 on September 24, 2012, 08:15:45 AM: Nice looking spread! :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: smokeasaurus on September 24, 2012, 09:07:09 AM: Very nice...just black pepper...turned out to be a great call!!
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: teesquare on September 24, 2012, 09:35:41 AM: That was Thanksgiving came early at Tenhunter's!!! Looks like a great dinner Cliff.!
T
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: drholly on September 24, 2012, 11:58:19 AM: mmm mmmm they look good!

David
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: smoker pete on September 24, 2012, 02:35:34 PM: Great job ... definitely on my To-Do List ... :P :P

Mix up some of my basic lower sodium brown sugar ham brine (Water, Salt, Brown Sugar, Curing Salt) and inject

Would you please share the ingredient amounts since Curing Salt can be very tricky is improperly mixed. Thanks
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: Old Hickory on September 24, 2012, 03:13:02 PM: Good cook, and I love the apple crisp and Pirogi casserole idea.
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: Ron D on September 24, 2012, 04:25:56 PM: Great looking Legs and a great Pirogi casserole. Please tell us how you made that.
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: TentHunteR on September 24, 2012, 05:24:50 PM: Quote from: Ron D on September 24, 2012, 04:25:56 PM
Great looking Legs and a great Pirogi casserole. Please tell us how you made that.

Thanks Ron, Here you go: http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=1484.0;topicseen
Title: Re: County Fair Style Turkey legs
Post by: Savannahsmoker on September 24, 2012, 07:02:42 PM: Great looking Turkey Legs and tasty looking Apple Crisp for dessert & some Pierogi Casserole. Wait, Pierogi Casserole, ??? ??? I need more info about the Pierogi Casserole PLEASE.