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 drafted and published.

Juicy smoked turkey legs coated with a sweet and smoky maple-chipotle glaze, perfect for backyard grilling or camping. This American barbecue recipe, ready in about 195 minutes, pairs turkey legs, maple syrup, and 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 "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.

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

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Ingredients

4 turkey legs, about 1 lb each
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.