Smoked Turkey Legs with Maple-Chipotle Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy smoked turkey legs coated with a sweet and smoky maple-chipotle glaze, perfect for backyard grilling or camping. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 195 minutes, pairs turkey legs, maple syrup, chipotle chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4, about 1 lb each turkey legs
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tsp chipotle chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat smoker or grill to 275°F with indirect heat. Pat 4 turkey legs dry and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup maple syrup, 2 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
Step 3: Brush half of the maple-chipotle glaze evenly over the turkey legs.
Step 4: Place the turkey legs on the smoker/grill grate away from direct heat and smoke for 2.5 to 3 hours, maintaining 275°F, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5: Every 30 minutes, brush the turkey legs with remaining glaze to build a sticky, flavorful coating.
Step 6: Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.