Instant Pot Smoked Turkey Legs The Soul Food Way
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When you cook turkey legs the soul food way, you’re not just making dinner… You’re stirring up memories, music, and magic in one pot. These Instant Pot turkey legs bring all the slow-simmered, fall-off-the-bone goodness our mamas and grandmamas perfected, but with a modern twist that gets dinner on the table in record time. Every bit of that Southern comfort. Tender, juicy, and dripping with flava!
The Soul Food Pot® Instant Pot turkey legs are your trusted, modern soul food shortcut. Deep Southern flavor, fall-off-the-bone tenderness, and cultural legacy in every bite.
Easy turkey legs in the Instant Pot
My Instant Pot turkey legs prove that a soulful Thanksgiving, or any comfort-food dinner, doesn’t have to be complicated, pricey, or take all day. Instead of wrestling with a whole bird, go straight for the good part!
And let’s talk flavor! Smoked turkey legs bring a depth you simply can’t get from a traditional roast. These smoked turkey legs are pressure-cooked for that roasted, smoky essence that hits different. It’s soul food magic made easy. You know what we say: “Don’t knock it ’til you try it!”
How long does it take to make turkey legs in the Instant Pot
These drop-in-the-pot turkey legs cook up tender and juicy in under 30 minutes… a far cry from my full Southern turkey recipe that takes a good hour and a half!
What you need
You can grab turkey legs already cut and pre-packaged from your local butcher or grocery store. No fuss, no feathers, just the good part ready to go!
From there, all you need are the right soulful seasonings to turn this simple cut into a super-flavorful, fall-off-the-bone masterpiece. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, infusing every bite with that deep, Southern comfort we love.
🥄 Shaunda says: No fancy Instant Pot accessories required for this easy recipe—just your pot, your seasonings, and your appetite. But when it’s time to lift those turkey legs out, use tongs and take your time, honey… they’re fall-apart tender in the best way!
How to make smoked turkey legs in the Instant Pot
- Season the turkey legs with a quick Southern spice rub made from chicken seasoning and garlic & herb.
- Add broth to the Instant Pot and place the seasoned legs inside, bone-side up.
- Pressure cook, then carefully lift out the fall-apart tender turkey legs with tongs. For an optional crispy finish, pop the cooked turkey legs into the air fryer.
✨ Shaunda’s Soul Food Sense: tips, truths & traditions
A few lessons, memories, and must-knows from my kitchen to yours.
Strain the cooking liquid through a fat separator, let the richness rise to the top, and pour off the de-fatted goodness. Serve that silky, seasoned sauce at the table so everyone can drizzle a little extra Southern love over their turkey legs!
❤️ Serve it like a Southerner… What to serve with Instant Pot smoked turkey legs
These tender, smoky turkey legs shine even brighter alongside classic soul food sides. Candied yams for sweetness, collard greens for that savory, simmered richness, and fried cabbage for a buttery, Southern bite. Together, they make what Black folks endearingly call “a plate”—the kind that tastes just like home!
🤖❤️ Ask your favorite AI assistant to summarize this recipe & save it!
Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 4 turkey legs
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked sea salt
- 2 tablespoons seasoning Famous Dave’s Chicken Rub (or similar poultry seasoning)
- 2 tablespoons seasoning Weber Seasoning Roasted Garlic & Herb (or similar)
Instructions
- Mix the chicken rub and garlic & herb seasonings in a small bowl to create a Southern spice rub for the turkey.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the turkey legs to coat them evenly.
- Next, remove the lid from the Instant Pot and pour chicken stock (or broth) into the stainless steel inner pot.
- Place the seasoned turkey legs inside the inner pot, bone-side up.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring that the valve is set to the sealing position. Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to the venting position and manually release any remaining pressure, if necessary.
- Carefully remove the turkey legs from the inner pot using tongs, as they will be very tender.
- Optional: For a little extra crunch, pop the cooked turkey legs into the air fryer at 360 degrees F for 8–10 minutes to give the outside a beautiful, crispy finish.
- Transfer the smoked-flavored turkey legs to a serving platter, then serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
❤️ Why trust this recipe?
Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.
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I never eaten a Turkey. Does this taste like chicken too?
That’s a great question, and you’re not alone!
Turkey and chicken are similar, but turkey has its own personality. Turkey meat is a little richer and meatier than chicken, with a deeper, more savory flavor, especially when it’s seasoned and cooked the soul food way. Think of it like this: if chicken is mild and familiar, turkey is its grown-up cousin with more depth and heartiness.
In recipes like these turkey legs, the seasoning, smoky flavor, and tender texture make them incredibly comforting and easy to love, even for first-timers. If you enjoy well-seasoned chicken, there’s a very good chance you’ll enjoy turkey too!