Smoked turkey legs are so incredible to eat. They’re incredibly juicy and tasty, and, when cooked just right, the meat seems to simply fall off the bone, making them so easy and delectable to eat!
Smoked turkey legs are most often cooked up during the warmer months, alongside a larger feast or barbecue.
Because of this, it is very common to have numerous smoked turkey legs left over after an event wraps up, and it would be a total shame to simply throw these away, right?
That’s probably why you are here now. Have you got a number of leftover smoked turkey legs that you now want to reheat?
Don’t worry, because today we are going to show you numerous ways that you can go about reheating your turkey legs, and how you can store them in between smoking and reheating!
Let’s dive in now and give your smoked turkey legs a whole new lease of life!
A Grill
Let’s say you want to host numerous barbecues and outdoor events in a short space of time, by using your grill, you can easily make the most of one set of smoked turkey legs over the course of two events!
All you need to do is set your grill to a low temperature, around 225 degrees, and then heat the turkey legs for around 30 minutes.
This will help to warm up every inch of the meat, bringing it back to its best while also helping to crisp up the outer skin of the meat, making it more succulent on a textural basis!
This is a great way to breathe all new life into smoked turkey legs, making them perfect to serve up at an outdoor dinner event!
A Smoker
Of course, another great way to reheat smoked turkey legs could be to use the very implement that brought them to fruition in the first place!
Using a smoker to reheat smoked turkey legs is great because it can help to bring back some of the amazing smoked flavors, making the turkey legs taste brand new.
In order to reheat smoked turkey legs in the smoker, you should try to set the smoker to a low temperature, which can be a little harder to do than with a more conventional grill.
Once the smoker reaches the right temperature, simply place the legs to reheat there, and allow them around 30 minutes to reheat. Make sure to check them periodically as you go so that they do not risk burning!
A Conventional Oven
If you have some smoked turkey legs from an event that you simply want to reheat to serve at dinner, then using your conventional oven can be a great option.
This method can allow you to easily heat a massive number of turkey legs with minimal effort, as you can simply leave the legs to roast and reheat in the oven.
To access the convenience of your oven for reheating turkey legs, simply heat the oven to around 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and then place the turkey legs in for around 45 minutes.
We recommend covering the legs in a glaze of your own choice, which will help the outer skin of the legs to crisp up and help the meat to moisten up.
An Air Fryer
You’re probably scratching your head reading this right now, but it’s true, you can easily reheat your smoked turkey legs in an air fryer, which is incredibly convenient, especially if you are short on time.
Using an airfryer is a great option if you really want to bring back the crispiness of the skin. Also, despite being a dry cooking method, the meat is able to stay incredibly moist and succulent.
To reheat with an air fryer, you will want to set it to around 400 degrees, and then place the turkey legs in to cook for around 10 minutes. This should be plenty of time to achieve the right temperature.
A Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker can be a great way to reheat smoked turkey legs because it helps to really preserve the original flavors while also helping the meat to become even more moist and succulent.
This method is also great because it is very low maintenance. All you need to do is set the slow cooker to a low heat, and place the turkey legs into the cooker with around half a cup of water. This will allow the water to slowly evaporate, which allows it to absorb into the meat.
You can always glaze the turkey legs towards the last few minutes of the cooking process in order to add some unique flavor and to help the skin of the legs to crisp up.
On The Stove
This method can achieve results similar to that of a slow cooker, but if you need your smoked turkey legs to be ready to eat much sooner, then this is the one for you!
In order to use your stovetop to reheat smoked turkey legs, grab a large pot, and add around half a cup of water and the turkey legs. From here, set the stove to a medium heat, and allow the water to come to a boil.
Allow it to simmer for some time before reducing the heat to low, and then allow the legs to cook for around 30 minutes.
You will want to make sure to monitor the legs the entire time as they cook, because there is a risk that they may burn if left unattended!
The Microwave
And of course, a list of options for reheating food would not be complete without a mention of the humble microwave!
However, you should beware that reheating your turkey legs in the microwave is one of the least preferred methods, because it can result in very rubbery meat, despite being so incredibly convenient (to learn more about reheating food in the microwave, read here).
Using a microwave can result in reheated smoked turkey legs in just 2 minutes, but those turkey legs will lose a lot of their texture and flavor.
However, if you are really pressed for time, all you need to do is place the turkey legs into a microwave-safe dish, alongside a quarter cup of water, and then cover them with a damp paper towel.
Allow the microwave to operate at a high temperature for around 2 minutes, and then remove them from the microwave!
What Is The Best Way To Reheat Smoked Turkey Legs?
Though each of these options can help you to reheat smoked turkey legs, only grilling and smoking can really bring back the perfect texture and taste from when the legs were first cooked.
Using your grill or smoker is great because it allows you to easily control the temperature, create a smokey flavor, and even create some perfect and satisfying crispness for the outer skin of the turkey legs!
However if you cannot regain access to these options, you can easily make use of other implements like your oven, but just be warned that the turkey legs may not taste exactly as they did when you first cooked them!
How Should You Store Smoked Turkey Legs?
Of course, before you can go about reheating smoked turkey legs, you are going to need to store them first.
Generally, you should try to store your smoked turkey legs in your fridge or freezer in order to best preserve the taste and texture.
You will also want to make sure that you move your smoked turkey legs to these two spaces within two hours of cooking, as turkey legs can very quickly spoil if left at room temperature.
How Long Do Smoked Turkey Legs Last In The Fridge?
Provided you place them into the fridge as soon as you can, your smoked turkey legs will easily be able to last for around 4 days. In order for them to last this long, you will need to make sure they are stored correctly.
A great way to store turkey legs in the fridge is to wrap them up in plastic wrap or foil, as this helps to keep them compact and helps to save space in your fridge.
You can also make use of other containers, but you should try to make sure that they are airtight so that the flavors of the turkey legs stay packed in.
It is possible for turkey legs to last as much as 5 days in the fridge, but you really should consume them before this amount of time has passed.
How Long Do Smoked Turkey Legs Last In The Freezer?
Smoked turkey legs can last much longer in the freezer, making this a great option for keeping them for later.
Simply wrap the turkey legs up, or put them in an airtight container, and then place them into the freezer. Within there, the turkey legs will be able to last between 3 to 6 months.
Try to consume them before the 6-month window has passed, as leaving them in the freezer for too long may result in freezer burn, which can destroy the taste and texture of the meat.
Can You Refreeze Smoked Turkey Legs?
Generally, you should avoid refreezing smoked turkey legs wherever possible, though it is not dangerous to do it.
The reason you should avoid refreezing smoked turkey legs after they have thawed is that refreezing can cause the texture of the meat to become rubbery and unpleasant.
The reason this happens is that the freezing process and the thawing process cause the cells in the meat to expand and condense, which stretches the bonds between them, thus leading to a change in texture.
However, refreezing just once will only have a small effect on the quality of the meat, so if you need to do it, try to only do it one time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Reheating Smoked Turkey Dry It Out?
Reheating smoked turkey doesn’t have to result in dry meat. Just make sure to monitor the turkey as it reheats on a grill, to ensure it does not overcook.
How Do You Keep Smoked Turkey Moist Overnight?
To keep your smoked turkey moist overnight, be sure to place it into an airtight container, or wrap it tightly!
What Is The Secret To Moist Smoked Turkey?
Many people choose to brine a turkey before smoking it, which helps to keep the meat incredibly moist even as it is smoked.
To Finish Up
There we have it! Reheating smoked turkey legs is incredibly easy, and can even be done by using a smoker and a grill, to achieve the perfect texture, and bring back a lot of the original flavor. But don’t worry, you can even reheat using something as simple as your oven!
Just make sure to store your turkey legs properly before reheating them, so that you can preserve their freshness.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
