We love the flavor of pre-cooked smoked turkey legs, but they're very tough with lots of tendons in there ~ unless you reheat them SLOWLY (to dissolve the tendons). This is a very easy way to reheat them ~ and then you can eat them as-is or use the meat in soups, pot pies or whatever else you want. I'll sometimes add carrots while I'm slow-baking them, so I have an easy no-brainer dinner (with a carton of fresh mashed potatoes from the refrigerated section at the grocery store ~ just reheat those in a casserole dish with lots of extra butter in the microwave). SMOKED TURKEY LEGS I buy pre-cooked, smoked turkey at the grocery store. But, they still need to be slow-baked to tenderize the tendons and make them meatier and easy to eat. Preheat oven to 250. While the oven heats, put the turkey legs into a baking pan or large covered casserole dish (not touching). Pour in about 2-3 cups water per 2 drumsticks (or enough to completely cover the legs ~ the bigger the pan, the more water you'll need). Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. or lid (Make sure the foil is tight and there aren’t any leaks or vents to the air). Stick the pan in the oven and slow-bake for about 2 hours ~ turn the legs over after 2 hours, and then let them slow-bake for ANOTHER 2 hours ~ the longer they slow-bake, the more tender they'll be. (If you want, you can throw in a few peeled carrots too, so you have a vegetable with dinner.) The legs will now be fall-off-the-bone tender and the tendons inside should have dissolved.OPTIONAL: I’ll usually put in a sprig of fresh rosemary (since I have 2 giant bushes) or crumbled sage too. You can now serve the turkey legs as-is, or pull off the meat to use in soups, stews or pot pies NOTE: I've never tried this in my crockpot, but they should be just fine in there. Cook on low for about 5-6 hours (longer is even better). You'll probably need more water to cover them in the crockpot. BONUS! You now have some fresh turkey stock to refrigerate and use in recipes **
 You don't need to fully cook smoked turkey drumsticks, but the best way to reheat them is in the oven. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages In This Article
Smoked turkey drumsticks make a wonderfully nutritious addition to any meal. Technically, the smoking process fully cooks the meat, so while you don't have to cook it yourself, you'll need to know how to properly reheat them. Reheating turkey drumsticks is pretty simple, and the best way to do it is in the oven at a roasting temperature. You want to be careful not to use high heat, or your turkey legs will come out tough and dry. Fortunately, cooking smoked turkey legs to tender, juicy perfect isn't difficult — it just involves a little patience and a few simple rules. TipTurkey, whether you're cooking it at home or it comes pre-cooked and smoked, is safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, per the USDA. You can reheat smoked turkey legs in your oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6 to 8 minutes per pound for a tender, juicy result. Are Pre-Smoked Turkey Legs Fully Cooked?It's important to eat meat that is cooked thoroughly to lessen the chance of getting a foodborne illness. Virtually all pre-smoked turkey legs are fully cooked, so it's almost certain you'll only need to reheat them before eating, not cook them from scratch, as you would with fresh turkey. Smoked turkey legs are pre-cooked in a smoker, which gives the meat a distinctly smokey flavor and darker color compared to fresh turkey legs. Smoked turkey is typically more expensive, too, because it's pre-cooked. That said, it's still vital to check the label on the smoked turkey legs you buy, as there may be some exceptions to this rule. TipEven though smoked turkey meat looks pink, it's still safe to eat, according to the USDA. The color is from the nitrites found in cured and smoked meats, so you should judge the safety of the meat by internal temperature rather than color. What to Look for When Buying Smoked Turkey DrumsticksSmoked turkey drumsticks are sold at most grocery stores. When you're shopping for smoked turkey legs, there are a few things you should look for: The MeatHow the meat looks may give you an idea of the quality. Look for turkey legs that are plump with a good amount of meat on the bones and have a red or brown color. The PriceBuying precooked smoked turkey legs isn't the cheapest option, as you're paying more for the pre-cooking process. Check the prices for a few different products and select once you're comfortable with. Just take note, cheaper products may not always be the best as they may compromise on meat quality. Expiration or 'Sell-By' DateMake sure to look for an expiration or "sell-by" date on the packaging of smoked turkey legs. This will help you determine if it will last until you plan to prepare it. Keep in mind that the sell-by date doesn't indicate that the meat has gone bad, but it may help you determine whether it's fresh enough for your liking. Other IngredientsBefore you buy smoked turkey legs, check the ingredients list and make sure it's short. A product listing a ton of ingredients likely has artificial ingredients and preservatives that are probably best avoided. SodiumSmoked meat products can be high in sodium, which is not only bad for your heart, but also gives the meat a very salty taste. Look for smoked turkey drumsticks that have 500 milligrams or less of sodium, such as these from Diestel Family Ranch ($13.95, Diestel). How to Cook Smoked Turkey Legs in the OvenThe best way to prepare pre-cooked smoked turkey legs is to put them in the oven to roast at a low temperature. According to the USDA, here's how to reheat cooked turkey legs:
Avoiding Tough Turkey Legs You don't want your smoked turkey legs to come out tough and dry. To avoid it, sprinkle them with a liquid like water or broth before wrapping them in foil and cooking them in the oven. Other Ways to Cook Smoked Turkey DrumsticksAir-FryerIt doesn't get much more convenient than putting your cooked smoked turkey drumsticks in the air fryer for a perfectly crispy outside and wonderfully tender inside. Here's how to use your air fryer to cook smoked turkey legs:
Slow CookerAnother way you can heat up smoked turkey drumsticks is putting them in the slow cooker with some liquid, which will help the meat come out tender and juicy. Here's how:
Storing Leftover Smoked Turkey LegsIf you have leftover turkey, you'll want to make sure to store it in a way that preserves the flavor without drying out the meat. To store them in the fridge or freezer, wrap your smoked turkey drumsticks in plastic wrap or foil and put them in an airtight container. they'll last three to four days in the fridge and 3 to 6 months in the freezer if stored correctly. TipMake sure to check the expiration date on the packaging for your smoked turkey legs. Are Smoked Turkey Drumsticks Healthy?Cooking smoked turkey legs make delicious dinner with some impressive nutritional benefits. There are about 170 calories in a turkey leg, according to the USDA. They're also low in saturated fat, and offer 32.6 micrograms of selenium, which is 59 percent of the daily value (DV). Selenium is an important mineral for thyroid function and imme health, according to the ODS. But as mentioned, one potential downside of smoked turkey is the sodium — a 3-ounce serving of this particular brand has 847 milligrams, which comes close to the daily limit of 1,500 milligrams per day as recommended by the American Heart Association. How do you cook already smoked turkey legs?Place in a 350°F oven and warm for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until heated through. Turkey legs are cooked when an instant read thermometer registers to 165°F.
How do you cook a precooked smoked turkey?To warm a smoked or precooked turkey, place it in a preheated oven and heat it until the internal temperature registers at around 150-160 degrees on a probe thermometer.
How long do you smoke precooked turkey legs?A turkey leg will take 2 to 3 hours to smoke at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to make sure you don't overcook is to use a probe thermometer like the one on a Traeger. The turkey leg is ready to eat when the internal temperature, as measured by your Traeger probe, reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperature do I cook prePre-heat – Pre-smoke the smoker to 250-275 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the temperature, the faster the turkey would cook. Start Smoking – Place the turkey in the smoker and brush every 1-2 hours. Smoke until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the leg reaches 165 – 170 degrees F.
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