Memphis Style Turkey Legs Alton Brown

Transport your taste buds to the heart of barbecue country with Alton Brown's Memphis-Style Turkey Legs—a smoky, tender masterpiece perfect for any backyard cookout or family feast. These generously sized turkey legs are coated in a bold dry rub featuring paprika, garlic and onion powders, brown sugar, and a kick of cayenne, giving them just the right balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. A layer of yellow mustard ensures the seasoning clings tightly, while applewood or hickory chips infuse the meat with an irresistible smoky aroma as they slow-cook to perfection in a 275°F smoker. Moisture is preserved by placing a pan of apple cider vinegar and water in the smoker, resulting in juicy turkey legs with rich, deep flavors. Ready in just three hours, this recipe is an unforgettable showstopper that’s easy to prepare for any crowd. Perfect for outdoor grilling enthusiasts and BBQ lovers alike, these Memphis-style turkey legs deliver classic Southern charm with every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Turkey legs (large)
• 2 tablespoons Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons Yellow mustard
• 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups Wood chips (hickory or applewood)
• 4 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix the paprika, brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to create the dry rub.

Step 2

Pat the turkey legs dry with a paper towel, then coat each leg evenly with the yellow mustard to help the seasoning stick.

Step 3

Generously apply the dry rub to the turkey legs, making sure to cover all sides. Let the seasoned turkey legs rest for 20 minutes at room temperature while you prepare the smoker.

Step 4

Soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes to ensure they produce good smoke without burning too quickly.

Step 5

Set up your smoker or grill for indirect cooking and preheat it to 275°F (135°C). Add the soaked wood chips to the smoker box or directly to the charcoal for that smoky flavor.

Step 6

Place the turkey legs in the smoker, making sure they are not overlapping. Close the lid to maintain an even temperature.

Step 7

In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar and water. Place this pan in the smoker near the turkey legs to keep the environment moist.

Step 8

Smoke the turkey legs for approximately 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Step 9

Once cooked, remove the turkey legs from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy the smoky, tender goodness of Memphis-style turkey legs!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3808.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3826.8

Total Fat 166.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 48.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1440.0mg	0%
Sodium 3652.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.3g	0%
Total Sugars 21.2g
Protein 493.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 467.7mg	0%
Iron 33.5mg	0%
Potassium 5082.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.8%

Protein: 53.8%

Carbs: 5.4%