Smoked Turkey Drumsticks

  • 20m Prep Time
  • 1h Cook Time
  • 1h Ready In

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  • Cuisine : American
  • Course : Dinner

Turkey drumsticks are brined for 24 hours, coated with a sweet and savory rub, then smoked until tender. Inspired by Disneyland-style turkey legs, they have a ham-like flavor.

Ingredients

Servings:

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

Estimated based off 4 of 9 identified ingredients (per 100 g food data, scaled by amount).

Energy
189 cal
Protein
0.04 g
Carbohydrate
18 g
Fiber
0.08 g
Sugars
17.6 g
Sodium
24.3 mg
Total fat
13.5 g
Saturated fat
1.87 g
Monounsaturated fat
9.85 g
Polyunsaturated fat
1.43 g
Vitamins & minerals
  • Calcium: 31.9 mg
  • Iron: 0.33 mg
  • Magnesium: 6.72 mg
  • Phosphorus: 1.06 mg
  • Potassium: 25.8 mg
  • Zinc: 0.06 mg

Let's Prepare

Collect

Gather these ingredients - no prep needed yet.

  • 946 ml cold water
  • 59.1 ml kosher salt
  • 59.1 ml brown sugar
  • 14.8 ml black peppercorns
  • 7.39 ml red chili pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 turkey drumsticks
  • 29.6 ml extra-virgin olive oil
  • 29.6 ml Sweet Rub

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    In a large bowl, combine 1 quart cold water, ¼ cup kosher salt, and ¼ cup brown sugar. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved.

  2. Step 2.

    Add 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, 1½ teaspoons red chili pepper flakes, and 1 bay leaf to the brine. Stir to combine.

  3. Step 3.

    Place 2 (1-pound) turkey drumsticks in a 1-gallon ziplock bag. Pour the brine into the bag, seal, and refrigerate for 10 to 24 hours.

  4. Step 4.

    Remove the drumsticks from the brine, rinse them under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels.

  5. Step 5.

    Rub each drumstick with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, then coat each with 1 tablespoon Sweet Rub, pressing the rub onto the surface.

  6. Step 6.

    Preheat the smoker to 275°F. Place the drumsticks in the smoker and cook for about 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

  7. Step 7.

    Remove the drumsticks from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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