Best Wood To Smoke Turkey Legs

To that end it is worth the time and effort to select the best wood for smoking turkey.

Best wood to smoke turkey legs. Alder is known for being one of the milder smoking woods and it is therefore terrific for turkey. More wood chips makes more smoke increasing the smoked flavor of the turkey legs. The target temperature for cooking turkey legs is around 215 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the best wood to use to smoke turkey legs. Just remember to try and find the perfect balance between the richness of the wood chunks you are using and the natural flavor of the turkey. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 and the turkey legs are deeply browned 4-5 hours.

Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates. Smoke the turkey leg or legs low and slow until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F use a meat thermometer like this 1 Amazon best seller. Hickory is a classic hard wood choice for smoking turkey for several reasons.

I dont use wood smoke but do like a hint of fragrant smoke just before I take the bird off the grill so I toss a nice handful of fresh rosemary into the fire during the last 15 minutes of the cook. Apple pear or cherry are good choices for a mellow smokey flavor. Place the turkey legs on the rack leaving as much space between each leg as possible and not touching the sides.

Maple apple or even oak any of the choices can be the best wood for smoking turkey as long as you find it to be tasty. Turkey and all poultry for that matter is a smoke sponge in that it picks up both flavor and color very readily. Place the drumsticks in a large container cover with ice add peppercorns mustard seeds cloves bay leaf etc.

You dont have to wake up and take care of them overnight. Thats a chemical reaction from the cure and the smoke. Put them into the smoker at 225 degrees Fahrenheit using a light flavored wood.