How to cook already smoked turkey legs in the oven

 Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook smoked turkey legs? Look no further! This blog post will show you how to cook store-bought smoked turkey legs. So, what are you waiting for? Read on for all the details!

How to cook already smoked turkey legs in the oven

Smoked turkey legs are amazing. They are so tasty! If you’ve been having trouble getting the most out of your store-bought smoked turkey legs, read on to learn how to cook them.

Jump to:
  • What are the differences between fresh turkey legs and smoked turkey legs?
  • What to look at when buying smoked turkey legs
  • Does store-bought smoked turkey legs need to be cooked?
  • How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs On the oven
  • Smoked Turkey Legs in the Oven
  • How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs on a grill
  • How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs in the air fryer
  • How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs in a slow cooker
  • How to store leftover portions of smoked turkey legs

What are the differences between fresh turkey legs and smoked turkey legs?

Smoked turkey legs have been cooked in a smoker, which imparts a distinct flavor to the meat. 

A smoker is used to smoking meats like pork or beef, but it can also be used for other foods such as veggies and fruits.

Fresh turkey legs have not been smoked and therefore do not have this flavor. 

Additionally, the pre-smoked turkey leg will be darker in color than the fresh turkey legs. 

Finally, smoked turkey legs may be more expensive than fresh turkey legs due to the smoking process.

Fresh turkey legs should be cooked thoroughly before being consumed, as they can contain bacteria that may cause food poisoning if not fully cooked.

What to look at when buying smoked turkey legs

Store-bought smoked turkey legs can be a great way to get that smoky flavor without doing any work.

Smoked turkey legs are available at most well-stocked supermarkets and maybe in a local grocery store near you.

However, there are a few things you should look for when buying smoked turkey legs to make sure you’re getting a good product.

When buying smoked turkey legs at a store or online, check for a “sell by” date on the package. 

It will help you know how long ago they were smoked and whether or not they should still be eaten. You do not want to eat something past its prime because it will not taste as good as fresh meat.

When you go shopping for smoked turkey legs, make sure they are moist and plump-looking with a good amount of meat. 

If you want to buy the frozen smoked turkey, take care to avoid those that have been refrozen after being thawed out.

Also, it would be best if you looked for the ingredient list.

Smoked turkey legs should only have a few ingredients, and they should all be things that you recognize.

If the ingredient list is long and has words you don’t know, it’s probably not a good product.

Don’t forget to look for the sodium nitrites content.

Smoked turkey legs can be high in sodium, so you want to make sure you’re getting a product with a reasonable amount of sodium.

If the sodium content is too high, it can make the turkey legs taste very salty.

Finally, check the price.

Precooked Smoked turkey legs can be expensive, so you want to ensure you’re getting a reasonable price.

However, you don’t want to buy the cheapest product either, as it’s likely that the quality will be lower.

If you keep these things in mind when buying smoked turkey legs, you’ll be sure to get a good product.

Does store-bought smoked turkey legs need to be cooked?

Store-bought pre smoked turkey legs are fully cooked, so you only need to reheat the portions.

So what you’re trying to do is warm them without drying them out in the reheating process.

The problem is that if you don’t cook them properly, they can end up dry or rubbery.

If you have store-bought smoked turkey legs, cooking them is easy. All you need is a conventional oven and some foil.

1. Preheat the oven to 325 °F.

2. Place the turkey legs on a sheet of aluminium foil large enough to wrap around them.

3. Sprinkle with little water or chicken broth, then wrap the foil around the legs, sealing tightly.

4. Place on a baking sheet or an oven-safe dish and put in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes or until heated through.

Cooking time depends on the size of the turkey pieces and how many pieces you put in the oven.

Also, what pieces of turkey you are baking, whether they are turkey thighs, turkey drumsticks, turkey breast, or a single turkey wing.

The most convenient thing is that you check with the food thermometer to make sure when they are ready.

An instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell when they are done.

The USDA recommends that you should set the oven temperature at 325 °F and cook the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F.

How to cook already smoked turkey legs in the oven

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Smoked Turkey Legs in the Oven

Learn how to cook the best and juiciest smoked turkey legs using your oven!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 2 servings

  • 1 Pound smoked turkey legs
  • 2 Tbsp chicken stock

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

  • Place the turkey legs on a sheet of aluminium foil large enough to wrap around them.

  • Drizzle with little water or chicken broth, then wrap the foil around the legs, sealing tightly.

  • Place on a baking sheet or an oven-safe dish and put in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes or until heated through.

How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs on a grill

Grilling is one of the best ways to cook smoked turkey legs.

All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little time, and you’ll have perfectly cooked smoked turkey legs that are full of flavor.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

  • Smoked turkey legs
  • Barbecue sauce or your favorite seasonings
  • Vegetable oil
  • Aluminum foil
  • Brush

First, preheat your grill to medium heat. While the grill is heating up, brush the turkey legs with vegetable oil to prevent them sticking to the grill.

Next, place the turkey legs on the grill and cook until they are cooked through. 

Be sure to turn them a few times during cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

Getting the internal temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer is the surest way to know if it’s cooked to perfection.

Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 °F.

Once the turkey legs are cooked, brush them with Barbecue sauce or your favorite seasonings. 

Then, wrap them in aluminum foil and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This will allow the sauce to penetrate the turkey meat and give it even more flavor.

After 5 minutes, remove the turkey legs from the foil and enjoy!

How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs in the air fryer

The fully cooked smoked turkey legs are perfect for a quick meal or snack and can be easily reheated in your air fryer.

Here’s how to cook store-bought smoked turkey legs in your air fryer:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375 °F.

2. Place the smoked turkey legs in the air fryer basket.

3. Cook them at 375 °F for ten minutes. Turn them once halfway through to make sure they heat evenly.

4. Check the internal temperature.

5. Enjoy!

How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs in a slow cooker

1. Take the smoked turkey legs out of the package.

2. Place the turkey legs in the slow cooker.

3. Add water or enough liquid of your choice, like chicken stock, to the slow cooker, just enough to cover the turkey legs.

4. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 45 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. Check the minimum internal temperature to ensure it is fully cooked. 

5. Remove the turkey legs from the slow cooker and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

How to store leftover portions of smoked turkey legs

When it comes to storing your smoked turkey legs, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. 

First and foremost, you need to ensure that they are properly wrapped to keep the flavor locked in and prevent them from drying out.

If you are going to be storing them in the refrigerator, you will want to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil.

If you plan to freeze them, you will want to wrap them in freezer-safe bags or airtight containers.

Either way, make sure that they are well-sealed so that no air can get in.

When it comes to how long you can store them, smoked turkey legs will last for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

They can last a long time in the freezer, between 2 to 6 months.

Don’t forget to write down the date you store them to control the maximum time in which you can consume them.

And check the expiration date on the packaging before you consume them.

Also, remember to always check the internal temperature of the food to ensure that the interior is perfectly cooked.

Turkey legs, properly smoked, make a satisfying, economical and healthy meal. 

Maybe you’ll never want to cook a turkey any other way, now that you know how to cook store-bought smoked turkey legs.

How do you cook already smoked turkey legs?

Reheat Smoked Turkey Legs Safely Either way, the USDA's advice is the same: Set your oven temperature at no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit and raise the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 F. It will probably take about 6 to 8 minutes per pound to reheat pre-smoked cooked turkey.

How long do I heat up an already smoked turkey leg?

To reheat pre-smoked turkey legs, brush them with oil, then set them on a grill over medium heat until they've reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This process should take 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how big the legs are.

How do you cook a pre

Cover the turkey with foil and place in oven. Drop oven temperature to 275°F. You'll want to reheat your turkey for around 5 minutes per pound. So a 10lb turkey would need to reheat for around 50 minutes.

How long should smoked turkey legs cook?

Remove the turkey legs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Re-warm the mop mixture over low heat. Transfer the turkey legs to the smoker. Cook until the legs are very tender and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.