Rewarm Turkey Legs

[jiju1943]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on how to rewarm smoked turkey legs.
I put the legs in the fridge to thaw and it has taken a few days but they are now at 32.3 degrees. It is still 2 1/2 days until we will eat them. I am afraid to wait until Thursday morning to smoke them. The lower part of our fridge is colder than most, if we put anything in the crisper, it will freeze.

Can I go ahead and smoke the legs, wrap in foil and reheat them Thursday morning? If so any suggestions? I have 11 legs to smoke, I don't want to make anyone sick by waiting 2 1/2 days to smoke them.

 

[angryengineer]

I always vacuum seal after smoking and then freeze or refrigerate. Then to reheat I place the bagged legs in a pot of 140deg water for an hour or so. As long as the water is ~140deg you cannot over cook. The legs will be as good, if not better, than the day you smoked them. The same technique works for everything from steak to pork chops...just adjust the water temp as needed.

 

[browneyesvictim]

Need more info. How are they packaged? Are they still in the same package? Were they frozen when you bought them and this is the first they are thawed out? If so, only 2-1/2 days is no sweat to wait. In fact if it were me, that timing sounds perfect for brining them now. But that's just what I would do.

 

[jiju1943]

Thanks angry and brown, I really do appreciate your information.

Brown, the legs were frozen three to a pack. They are still in their orignal packing and this is the first time thawing them. That is a load off my mind. I sure don't want to make anyone sick. Thanks again to both of you, you have made and old man happy.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

You'll be fine. As Brownie said above, brine them legs. MMMMMM!!!

 

[zwiller]

Need more info. How are they packaged? Are they still in the same package? Were they frozen when you bought them and this is the first they are thawed out? If so, only 2-1/2 days is no sweat to wait. In fact if it were me, that timing sounds perfect for brining them now. But that's just what I would do.

+1; Once smoked let them cool before covering or skin will shrivel. I never smoke anything I eat the same day... I would go as far as 5 days if taken to proper IT.

 

[angryengineer]

Jiju, I just put 9 legs packaged 3/pack into a brine today. Will smoke them tomorrow, cool, and then vacuum seal. I’ll warm them in a pot of 140 water Thursday morning and no one will know I did not make them the same day.

Also, I would not worry if you need to wait. The legs are probably injected with a 7% brine - that coupled with the vacuum packaging will keep them fresh for a week after thawing.

 

[jiju1943]

Thank all of you so much, I am a happy camper now.

I just opened the packs of legs and what I thought were three per pack were two. I have never seen a turkey leg that big. Those turkeys had to weigh 50 pounds each. I had two legs from a 22 pound bird and they were every bit 1/3 the size of these.

They are in the brine as I type. I was also happy to see ice fall off the legs so I am confident they will be ok now. Here is a picture of one of the legs.

Thanks you all very much again.

 

[jiju1943]

Man if it isn't one thing, it is another. I just read that the larger the turkey legs the tougher they are. If that is the case these are going to be like whit leather. Any suggestions how to tenderize them? Maybe foil wrap half way through cooking? I know ribs will be super falling off the bone tender if wrapped half way through smoking them.

 

[desertlites]

Don't believe everything you read. Brine your legs and no worries .

 

[jiju1943]

Desertlites, you are a ray of sunshine, thank you for the encouragement. I hope to smoke them tomorrow along with the two large turkey breasts. I will let you know how they turn out.

This morning, I am warming up 5 large butts I have already processed and vacuum packed for one of our grandson's wedding reception. I still can't believe he is getting married two days before Thanksgiving. Thank you again, you are much appreciated.

Jim

 

[jiju1943]

The legs turned out great, I just had to sample one and they are great, not tough and tastes really good. Thanks for all the help, I will file all this information for next year if there is one.

 

[jiju1943]

Fixing to warm the legs up for Thanksgiving Dinner. I could not have done it without the help from all you really nice guys, thanks you all so very much. I hope each and everyone of you and your families have one fantastic day.