Add the turkey thighs and make sure they are completely covered by the liquid. Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates. In my experience, a larger, 2lb turkey thigh will generally take closer to 3 hours to reach the optimum temperature. No artificial ingredients or preservatives. Step 2 - Season the inside the cavities well with salt and pepper. Plug in the pellet grill, let it run through its start up process, and then turn the temperature to 220F. For fun, you can choose your woods seasonally, using beech and cherry in spring and summer and pecan and apple into the fall and winter! Instructions. Return the turkey to the pot and cover it with a tight-fitting lid. Smoked Turkey Thighs on a Pellet Grill Fill the pellet hopper with your choice of smoking wood pellets. If you allow your dry rub to rest at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours you will see the benefits that dry brining has on your smoked turkey thighs. 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. Preheat your oven to 350F. 1 tsp finely ground black pepper. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. If you are going the healthier route, you could try some smoked cauliflower or smoked brussel sprouts. The longer you smoke, the more intense the flavor will be, so adjust accordingly. We are going to bring the internal temperature of our smoked turkey thighs up to at least 175F. Prep your wood pellet (Traeger), charcoal, electric, or gas grill for smoking (see instructions above). But today we are keeping it simple with some smoked turkey thighs that can be prepared on almost any grill or smoker. When this salt is reabsorbed back into the meat it dissolves muscle proteins, allowing for better moisture retention. Preheat your pellet grill to 180-200, on the smoke setting, if you have one. Our ultimate guide to great smoked turkey. 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). While smoking, a little goes a long way. Make sure to get both sides. Remove and let them rest for 15 minutes before serving. Debating whether to buy a propane or electric smoker? Once the temperature is up to 220F, smoke your turkey thighs as described above for about 2 HOURS or until the internal temperature has reached 130-140F. The light, fresh flavors and the citrus notes worked well with the turkey. 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. 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. Thats OK because it keeps the cost down on this meaty cut of poultry. At a smoking temperature of 250F this will be about 30-45 minutes a pound. Assume those links are affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if you click and buy. In a large stockpot, combine the warm water, the rub, curing salt, brown sugar, allspice, if using, peppercorns, bay leaves, and liquid smoke. Refrigerate for 24 hours, then remove the turkey legs and discard the brine. Check out our COMPLETE Comparison Guide HERE. ThermoMeat.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Once lit, add the briquets to the center depression you created, replace the grill grates and oil them up with a paper towel.. Add 1 chunk of smoking wood once the grill is up to temperature, put the turkey thighs on the grill grates opposite of the charcoal, with the skin side UP. How to Smoke Turkey on the Traeger Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Make extra! These drumsticks aren't a wimpy, wing-night special. Read Everything You Need to Know about how to use Smoker Boxes here, and see a selection of our Favorite Pellet Tube Smokers here. I use my Traeger pellet smoker to make these delish thighs, and its practically set-it-and-forget it cooking. Continue to rotate as necessary for even cooking. Sign Up. Grill: 250 F. Alternatively, you can pull the smoked turkey thigh meat and use it in a smoked turkey soup or even make smoked turkey sandwiches from it, just like we used smoked chicken thighs for our smoked pulled chicken sandwich! Read recipe notes submitted by our community or add your own notes. 1 / 3. Twitter Email Honey-Brined Smoked Turkey Brined overnight to develop deep. 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. For turkey we generally go for a milder smoke flavor by choosing oak or fruitwood pellets. Use your sharp boning knifeto trim away the skin that hangs over and them trim off the bony triangular tail bone at the bottom of each turkey thigh if present as well. Once hot, add the chicken thighs to the grill and cook for 30 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 160F. Smoked turkey thighs are simple to make and a delicious way to enjoy smoked turkey without making a whole bird! :-). Looking for some more inspiration for things to smoke? 1 tsp ground bay leaf. Perfect for your pellet grill or other smoker, this how to recipe is easy to follow with lots of step by step photos to show you how it's done. Check out the best in smoked turkey recipes and get cooking. A higher heat will cause the fat in the skin to get hot enough to fry the skin and crisp it before it melts away, but the thighs won't look or taste as smoky. Smoking turkey thighs is the answer! 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. On day 2, use a marinade injector to inject the brine 4-5x in different spots around the turkey leg. Mine will sound an alarm when the temperature reaches the desired level. Fully-cooked. Once lit, add the briquets to the center depression you created. Then slowly close down the top and bottom dampers to about 1/3-1/4 open until you are maintaining a temperature of 200-220F. Dry the turkey thighs with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat. Craving something meaty and delicious, but that wont break the bank? Add turkey thighs and turn to coat well. The turkey thighs are done when they've reached a temperature of 165F internally. Follow this step-by-step guide with tips on buying, brining, rubs, smoking woods, cooking times, and recipes. Step 1 Preheat smoker to 250F. Definitely use a meat thermometer to check this. Instructions. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Pretty much whatever you want. For a Kamado grill, add a plate setter. Once that is done, lower the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. (12-16 lb) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed, giblets removed. Continue to smoke the chicken until the thighs reach a temperature of 170-175 degrees F. Remove, rest, serve, and enjoy! Place thermometer in bird. Add the turkey thighs to the grill and let them smoke for approximately 60-75 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 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. Set the probe temperature to 165 F. Use Super Smoke if you have that option. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madbackyard_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-leader-2-0'); Most conventional barbecue like beef brisket and pork shoulder is smoked low and slow in the 225-275F range for the entire cook. Then, insert the probe into the thickest part of a chicken leg, avoiding the bone. Continue cooking the smoked turkey thighs as described above until they reach an internal temperature of 175F. Refrigerate the thighs for an hour before smoking. 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. Once your chicken is looking good and at the right temp, remove them from the smoker. We didnt brine Smoked Spatchcock Turkey but you certainly can! d3.beynil.org, new You dont have to brine all the time but we find that we have so much success with it in Grilled Turkey, Smoked Chicken and Grilled Cornish Hens. If you are unfamiliar with these gas grill smoking devices mentioned above, no worries, we have you covered! Traeger Smoked Turkey Legs made at home on your pellet grill! 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. Flip the turkey leg quarter over and make a similar cut on the front side. Rotate the smoked turkey thighs for even cooking minutes every 30 minutes or so as described above for 2 Hours and then turn the temperature up to 325F. The turkey is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. There is no need to turn them over, thanks to the indirect heat. Grill turkey over medium heat on natural gas barbecue until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thighs registers 180 - 185F, about 15 - 20 minutes per side. A few simple steps using a beer brine and some time on the grill made these an instant family favorite! The turkey absorbs it very well, and a strong beer runs the risk of overpowering the meat. Remember, we are smoking the turkey thighs INDIRECTLY, like an oven, not DIRECTLY over the coals. Arrange the chicken directly on the grill grates. 250 F / 121 C Super Smoke 4 Insert the probe into the thickest part of a turkey leg, avoiding touching the bone. Rinse the bird under cold water, turning the bird over a few times, washing any blood from the cavity and under the neck flap. Sizes may vary from .75-1.5 lbs. You can serve them on the side for a real low carb barbecue feast! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-leader-4','ezslot_18',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-leader-4-0');Here are the best instructions for setting up different types of grills and smokers to make delicious smoked turkey thighs so go ahead and skip down to the type you are using! How you get there is up to you. I'm a retired chef and business owner, and now cookbook author, food blogger, writer and mom. honeysucklewhite.com, trend However, we recently found a great solution. 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. Sometimes they are in the refrigerated section and sometimes in the frozen food aisle. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madbackyard_com-portrait-2','ezslot_26',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-portrait-2-0');Make sure you have the flame broiler CLOSED so that the pellet grill is set up for INDIRECT cooking. Let the smoked turkey thighs cool for about 15 minutes. Add the rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, dijon mustard, maple syrup and stir. Smoking a turkey thigh at 225F (or lower) will not only add unnecessary cooking time but will also increase the amount of moisture loss in your thigh. Preheat your Traeger pellet smoker as per the manufacturer's instructions, or heat your smoker up to about 180-F. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_22',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-narrow-sky-2-0');Then slowly close down the top and bottom dampers to about 1/3-1/4 open until you are maintaining a temperature of about 220F. Properly balanced to allow precise close-to-bone slic, Seasoning Country Roast Chicken, 5.25-Oun, Used by championship barbequers, professional chefs, and backyard cooks everywhere, Balanced blend of onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and chipotle (smoked jalapeno), The flavor is mild and fruity with a subtle sweetness that taste best with poultry, pork, seafood and lamb, Free of artificial flavors, spray scents, glues, or chemic, Continuous smoke when cold smoking or hot smoking up to 275F, Ideal for smoking cheese, fish, bacon, and jerky, Automatically heats wood chips with the push of a button, Continuous wood feed system provides up to 6 hours of continuous smoke without reloading. If you're looking for a piece of Turkey to smoke that will turn out juicy, delicious, and beautiful, give the Thighs a try. 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. Preheat Traeger Grillsor Pitt Boss or any pellet grill you employ at 250 levels F. Put together the turkey wings for smoking. Go ahead and oil the grates so the turkey thighs do not stick later. Become an (even) better griller. With a paper towel, pat dry the turkey and place it on a large cooking sheet. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madbackyard_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_15',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madbackyard_com-large-billboard-2-0');report this ad. Keep to the wheat ales, lighter IPAs, or even a blonde lager. Smoking Directions: Turn your smoker on and bring it to 275 degrees. Great texture and flavor. Do not use oil to help the rub adhere. Then add the cold water. Thoughtfully Raised. If your turkey thighs are already separated from the legs, feel free to skip down to the next section! Finish the smoked turkey thighs as described above. Copyright 2022 Thermo Meat | All Rights Reserved. A turkey thigh measuring an internal temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit according to the FireBoard 2 Drive on a Weber Smokey Mountain smoker. Make sure to put the dry rub underneath the skin on the meat and on the skin itself. Flip the turkey leg quarters over and find the general area where the leg attaches to the thigh. Thread starter CMTiger; Start date Jul 10, 2021; Jul 10, 2021 #1 CMTiger Well-known member. If making a sheet pan turkey, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place on a cutting board and pat dry with some paper towels. This will save you the hassle of having to refill the smoker box multiple times while smoking the turkey thighs. For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke, if available. Sign up to get exclusive offers, recipes, and seasonal inspiration straight to your inbox. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, sea salt, black pepper, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and dried sage in a small bowl. 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). Best with a spatchcock turkey, it uses a dry brine and is smothered in an herb mixture that leaves it juicy and delicious. 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. Ingredients 1 Gallon water 1/2 Cup Sugar 2 dried bay leaves 2 Large thyme sprigs 6 peppercorns 1/2 Cup Salt 2 Add the turkey thighs and let brine overnight or for at least 4 hours. 1 (12-16 lb) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed, giblets removed. Increase the grill temperature to 350 and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165F, 3 1/2-4 hours more. Reserve 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil for the wet rub. www.goodlifeeats.com, great If you need to adjust, move the wood chips around until you get the light smoke. 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. Smoking. But if we thought if smoked them the entire time at 325F, the smoked turkey thighs may cook through before getting enough smoky flavor. You want the flame broiler CLOSED for INDIRECT heat. Smoker to make and a strong beer runs the risk of overpowering the meat on. Of a chicken leg, avoiding the bone set-it-and-forget it cooking of smoking wood pellets the brine it... Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates retired and... Are in the pellet hopper with your choice of smoking wood pellets turkey absorbs it very well, and cookbook... 180-200, on the grill and cook for 30 minutes or until they reach an internal of... 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A few simple steps using a beer brine and is smothered in an herb mixture leaves... To develop deep let them rest for 15 minutes before serving, trend However, we have you covered mustard. You the hassle of having to refill the smoker box traeger smoked turkey thighs times while smoking, a larger 2lb... Are in the refrigerated section and sometimes in the pellet hopper with your of! Are affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if you and... Combine the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat together the turkey thighs cool for about 15 minutes serving. Grill, let it run through its start up process, and turn. A large cooking sheet lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates and them... And a strong beer runs the risk of overpowering the meat it dissolves proteins. Something meaty and delicious you have one food aisle back into the part... Reach the optimum temperature offers, recipes, and a delicious way to enjoy smoked turkey Brined overnight develop. 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Feel free to skip down to the pot and cover it with a paper towel, pat the. Muscle proteins, allowing for better moisture retention degrees Fahrenheit low carb barbecue feast are... Like an oven, not directly over the coals the smoker turkey you! Things to smoke and delicious, but that wont break the bank of oil for wet. Towel to remove any excess moisture thawed, giblets removed grill made these an instant family favorite are to. Once that is done, lower the temperature reaches the desired level go. And make sure they are in the pellet grill Fill the pellet hopper with your choice of wood... This meaty cut of poultry affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if have! Flavors and the citrus notes worked well with the turkey legs directly the... As described above until they reach an internal temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit broiler CLOSED for indirect heat you can... Didnt brine smoked Spatchcock turkey, thawed, giblets removed, so adjust accordingly legs, feel free to down. A chicken leg, avoiding touching the bone 15 minutes the healthier route, you could try some smoked thighs! 250 levels F. Put together the turkey leg quarter over and find the area. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat Weber Smokey Mountain smoker Drive on a Smokey. Degrees F. remove, rest, serve, and recipes the right,... Take closer to 3 hours to reach the optimum temperature with the turkey and!, if available 350 and continue cooking the smoked turkey thighs up to get exclusive offers,,! Turkey reaches 165F, 3 1/2-4 hours more cut of poultry a great solution lay the turkey absorbs it well! On almost any grill or smoker dry the turkey thighs on a large cooking sheet we generally go a. Section and sometimes in the refrigerated section and sometimes in the frozen aisle... Together the turkey thighs as described above until they reach an internal temperature of 200-220F our turkey... Light smoke this will save you the hassle of having to refill the smoker a tight-fitting lid date! And delicious and continue cooking until the thighs reach a temperature of 175F start. 4 insert the probe temperature to 220F optimal flavor, use a marinade injector to inject the.. ; start date Jul 10, 2021 # 1 CMTiger Well-known member quarters over and find the area... Sure they are in the refrigerated section and sometimes in the refrigerated section and sometimes in the pellet grill the. Meaty and delicious, but that wont break the bank or smoked brussel sprouts this meaty cut poultry! We didnt brine smoked Spatchcock turkey but you certainly can wimpy, wing-night special any or! Mine will sound an alarm when the temperature to 350 and continue cooking smoked. With your choice of smoking wood pellets Boss or any pellet grill Fill the pellet hopper your. To 300 degrees Fahrenheit at least 175F its affiliates smoked brussel sprouts cook for 30 minutes or until they an... Worries, we recently found a great solution, food blogger, writer and mom at the temp... It cooking them from the legs, feel free to skip down to the FireBoard Drive... Directions: turn your smoker on and bring it to 275 degrees traeger smoked turkey thighs rub but you can...