Poultry · smoking times
How long to smoke Turkey legs
At 275°F, plan on 3 to 4 hours in total, whatever the weight. Pull it at 175 to 185°F.
Big turkey legs have a lot of tendon, which is why they are best cooked past the 165°F safe minimum.
Smoking time by smoker temperature
| Smoker temp | Total time |
|---|---|
| 250°F | 3.5 to 4.5 hours |
| 275°F | 3 to 4 hours |
| 300°F | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
These times do not scale with weight because doneness depends on the thickness of the meat.
Pull temperature, safe minimum and rest
| Target | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Pull from the smoker | 175 to 185°F |
| USDA safe minimum | 165°F |
| Suggested rest | 10 to 15 min |
Plan your start time
Tips for turkey legs
- USDA's minimum is 165°F; legs are noticeably more tender at 175 to 185°F, when the tendons soften.
- Brining or injecting helps keep them juicy during the long cook.
- Check the thickest part without touching the bone.
Best wood
Hickory, Apple, Cherry, Pecan. See the wood guide for how strong each one is.
Safe minimum temperatures: USDA FSIS Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. Smoker temperature guidance: USDA FSIS, Smoking Meat and Poultry. Smoking times vary with the smoker, the weather, how much the meat weighs, how thick it is and whether you wrap it. These are ranges based on common barbecue practice, not lab measurements. Always cook to the internal temperature, measured with a food thermometer.