Smoked Turkey Legs with Maple Chipotle Glaze

Why This Recipe Works

• Brined for Moisture & Flavor: The turkey legs are brined in a flavorful homemade brine for about 24 hours to infuse the meat with flavor, to tenderize it, and to keep it moist as it smokes.
• Lollipopped for Beautiful Presentation: I show you how to do the lollipop technique, which removes some of the connective tissue and pushes the meat to one end to create a bone “handle” for an impressive presentation.
• Skin Removed Before Seasoning: Removing the skin lets the seasoning contact the meat directly, which gives the meat itself a better flavor.
• Wrapped in Bacon: Wrapping each turkey leg in applewood smoked bacon really takes these turkey legs up a level. It creates a crispy layer around the meat and adds flavor.
• Finished with a Homemade Maple Chipotle Glaze: This homemade glaze has the perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and spice that coats the bacon and turkey legs with a sticky layer of caramelized goodness. Applying the glaze late gives it time to set without burning.

Key Ingredients

Gather these key ingredients, along with a few others, to make the brine and glaze for these smoked turkey legs.

• Turkey Drumsticks: You’ll need three large, uncooked turkey drumsticks, weighing about 3 pounds each (9 pounds for all 3 legs). Use un-brined turkey, as we’ll be brining it as part of this recipe.
• Regular-Cut Bacon: Applewood-smoked bacon complements the glaze and renders more easily than thick-cut bacon.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Use real maple syrup to bring sweetness to the glaze. It also will caramelize and make it sticky as it cooks on the meat.
• Apple Cider and Apple Cider Vinegar: Adding apple cider to the glaze brings a great apple flavor, while also adding apple cider vinegar balances the sweetness and adds a little tang.
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Finely chop a few chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and use the amount you like best based on your preferred spice level. They bring a smoky chili flavor that’s incredible with the maple and apple flavors!

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions or Additions

• Don’t Have Applewood Bacon? Regular-cut hickory-smoked bacon is a great option.
• Oil Options: Use your favorite neutral cooking oil to replace the avocado oil.
• Apple Cider Substitution: Use unsweetened apple juice instead.
• Don’t Have Fresh Herbs for the Brine? Substitute the fresh thyme with approximately 1 teaspoon dried thyme per gallon. Swap the fresh rosemary with approximately ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary per gallon.
• Orange Zest in the Brine: This can be omitted if you prefer.
• Less Spicy Glaze: Reduce the amount of chopped chipotle peppers for less heat. Omitting it changes the glaze's flavor; I wouldn’t recommend leaving it out entirely.
• Smoker Wood Options: I recommend using apple wood chunks, or apple with a small amount of hickory.

How to Smoke Turkey Legs with Maple Chipotle Glaze

1. Make the brine. Pour 1 quart of water into a saucepan and add the salt and brown sugar, stirring until it’s dissolved.
2. Add the garlic powder, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and orange zest. Remove from the heat and steep for 10-15 minutes.

3. Place the legs in a food-safe, nonreactive container or a brining bag inside a large pan. Let the brine cool to 40°F, then pour in enough brine to submerge them. Cover and refrigerate for approximately 24 hours.
4. Remove the legs from the brine, discard the brine, and pat the turkey dry.

5. Remove the skin, then use a sharp knife to carefully cut around the narrow end of each drumstick, severing the connective tissue and tendons without cutting through the bone. Scrape the exposed bone clean and gently push the meat toward the thick end to create the lollipop shape. Pat dry and season with the homemade spice rub.
6. Wrap each leg with about 4-6 slices of bacon, using enough to cover the meat in one layer with slight overlap. Secure the bacon ends against the turkey with the soaked toothpicks.

7. Arrange the legs on the smoker with space between them for airflow. Position a drip pan underneath and insert a temperature probe into the thickest meat, avoiding bone.
8. Smoke at 275°F, rotating the legs if needed for even color. When the turkey reaches approximately 170-175°F, check the bacon. If it’s pale or soft, increase the smoker to 350-375°F. Watch closely until the bacon browns and the fat renders. If the bacon is already browned, continue at 275°F.

9. Make the maple chipotle glaze. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
10. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze lightly coats a spoon.

11. Once the bacon is browned and the meat is approaching tenderness, brush on a thin coat of glaze. Let it set for 5-10 minutes, then apply a second thin coat. Watch closely and reduce the temperature if the glaze darkens too quickly.
12. Continue to smoke until each drumstick is between 180-190°F internally, checking multiple areas of each leg without touching bone. Remove each leg as it is ready, then let it rest uncovered or loosely tented, then remove all the toothpicks and carve. Enjoy.

Temperature Guide

• Base Smoker Temperature: 275°F.
• Check Bacon: When the turkey legs are around 170-175°F internally.
• Start Glazing: After the bacon browns and the turkey has about 20 minutes left.
• Goal Internal Temperature: The legs are done when they reach 180-190°F internally in several places away from the bone. Check each leg individually, as each one may cook at a different speed.
• Minimum Safe Poultry Temperature: 165°F internally.

Smoked Turkey Legs with Maple Chipotle Glaze FAQs

Serving Suggestions

Carve these oversized smoked turkey legs with maple chipotle glaze for easy serving. Then serve with your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. Some of my favorites to serve with this are loaded baked potatoes, accordion potatoes, the creamy mashed potatoes from my beef oxtail with creamy mashed potatoes recipe, or any roasted vegetables. Sweet potatoes and coleslaw are also great options.

Side Dish Recipes to Enjoy with Smoked Turkey

If you make this recipe, I want to hear about it! Please leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below. That helps everyone know the favorites! Also, please tag me on Facebook, so I can see your creations. Happy Grilling!