Grilled Smoked Turkey Legs with Spiced BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

Juicy smoked turkey legs finished on the grill and glazed with a warm spiced BBQ sauce for a flavorful outdoor feast. This American barbecue recipe, ready in about 205 minutes, pairs turkey legs, olive oil, and paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey legs, about 1.5 lbs each
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create a dry rub.
2. Step 2: Rub 4 turkey legs generously with 2 tbsp olive oil, then coat evenly with the dry rub mixture.
3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker or grill to 275°F and smoke the turkey legs for 2 to 2.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp smoked paprika in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened into a glaze.
5. Step 5: Transfer the smoked turkey legs to a preheated grill set to medium-high heat. Brush the spiced BBQ glaze over the legs and grill for 5 minutes per side, basting frequently until caramelized.
6. Step 6: Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before serving with extra glaze on the side.