Black Folks Instant Pot Smoked Turkey Legs

Black folks Instant Pot smoked turkey legs – The perfect Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Turkey legs are a popular entrée to make for a Southern soul food Thanksgiving menu. And smoked turkey legs have an extra level of flavor that you just can’t get with a traditional roast turkey!

What are smoked turkey legs?

Next time you think, “What am I going to do with all that turkey that I have to defrost before Christmas?” 

Instead of the whole turkey, try just a portion – the turkey legs!

Black folks smoked turkey legs are boiled in a salt and vinegar brine, then cooked in the Instant Pot for a roasted, smokey flavor…Don’t knock it ’til you try it!

Why use the Instant Pot for smoked turkey legs?

Juicy smoked turkey legs with lots of authentic soul food flavor are faster and easier to cook in the Instant Pot. 

So how do you cook smoked turkey legs in a pressure cooker?

Although pressure cooking is often quicker, this recipe still delivers by using the sauté setting for turkey meat that’s tender on the inside and air-fried into crispy goodness on the outside.

It’s like having your holiday feast without all the fuss of the whole bird! Your family will never tire of eating this Thanksgiving favorite. 

How do you make turkey legs in the Instant Pot?

Want to learn how to prepare Black folks smoked turkey legs? 

You can buy this part of the turkey already cut and pre-packaged from your local butcher or grocery store. Then all you need is a simple salt brine and a couple of seasonings to make this super flavorful recipe by sautéing and air frying with Instant Pot!

Read on to find more! This blog post will go over the preparation process and give some helpful tips on making smoked turkey legs like a pro! 

Kitchen equipment for Instant Pot smoked turkey legs

• Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
• Instant Pot Omni Plus air fryer oven 

Shop my kitchenware HERE!

Ingredients for Black folks Instant Pot turkey legs brine

• 4 turkey legs
• 3 quarts of water
• 2 tablespoons of salt
• 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

Ingredients for the Black folks smoked turkey legs in the air fryer

• 1 tablespoon of smoked sea salt (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken/Poultry Seasoning (or similar – This seasoning contains soulful flavors such as salt, black pepper, paprika, mustard seed, garlic powder, onion powder, bell pepper, and lemon zest all in one!)
• 2 tablespoons of Weber Seasoning, Roasted Garlic & Herb (or similar)

Instructions for Instant Pot smoked turkey legs

1. Open the Instant Pot lid and pour the water, salt, and vinegar into the stainless-steel inner pot.
2. Add the turkey legs to the salt brine inside the inner pot.
3. Turn on the Instant Pot sauté setting for 30 minutes. (This is because the max amount of time using the sauté setting is 30 minutes.) you’ll need to add 10 minutes immediately when the first 30 minutes finishes for a total of 40 minutes on sauté.
4. With the Instant Pot lid off, allow the turkey legs to come to a boil on the sauté setting. (It will take approx. 18-20 minutes for the pot with the turkey legs to get to a state of slow boil/slow simmer.)
5. When the cooking time is finished (after 40 minutes), drain the water by gently sliding the turkey legs from the inner pot into a colander. 
6. Set the turkey legs aside and allow them to cool.

Instructions for Black folks smoked turkey legs in the air fryer

1. Mix the poultry seasoning, roasted garlic & herb spice, and the smoked salt in a small bowl to create a Southern spice rub for the turkey legs.
2. Rub on and coat the turkey legs with the seasoning mixture.
3. Spray the air fryer basket or tray with olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. 
4. Place the seasoned turkey legs in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray (Instant Pot Omni Plus air fryer).
5. Make sure the turkey legs are skin-side up, careful not to overcrowd the legs.
6. Air fry at 360 degrees F for 15-18 minutes.
7. Halfway through, after about 8 minutes have passed, flip the turkey legs over in the air fryer and return to cooking.
8. Serve Black folks Instant Pot smoked turkey legs right away, and enjoy!

What do you serve with Black folks Instant Pot smoked turkey legs?

This recipe only takes one hour from prep time to finish with an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Then you can quickly enjoy juicy, tender smoked meat right off the bone with plenty of time to prepare the best Thanksgiving sides and Christmas holiday appetizers like these:

Southern air fryer turkey legs taste delicious, but adding extra flavors complements your meal. If you’re craving these tasty turkey legs, try serving them with finger-licking soul food sides. 

Some of the best options are soul food collard greens, Southern black-eyed peas, Southern creamy mashed potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce, Southern cornbread dressing, and homemade cornbread.

You can also serve turkey legs with condiments like hot sauce and turkey gravy.

Instant Pot smoked turkey legs FAQs

Can you cook turkey legs in an Instant Pot?

Yes, of course! Instant pots are trendy and perfect for cooking a whole chicken, turkey breasts, turkey wings, turkey thighs, and turkey legs. And even preparing specialty brines for your Thanksgiving turkey recipes!

This is especially important on Thanksgiving Day when ovens will be overcrowded with other family-favorite dishes of the big day. You can count on Instant Pot for faster cooking times and counter space. I call this Magical Meals In Minutes!

How long do you cook smoked turkey legs in the Instant Pot?

Asked another way, how long do you cook turkey drumsticks in a pressure cooker?

You’ll need to brine the turkey legs in the Instant Pot for 40 minutes. Then air fry for about 15-18 minutes. Remember to flip each smoked turkey drumstick halfway through (after 8-minutes) for even cooking and a crispy texture on both sides.

How can you remove the meat from a smoked turkey leg?

The turkey meat will be so tender and juicy because these smoked turkey legs are boiled in a salt brine first. So you won’t need any specialty knives or kitchen equipment to remove the meat from the bones.

Are turkey drumsticks the same as turkey legs?

When you think of turkey, what word comes to mind?

Drumsticks! 

But when it comes to turkey meat on a bone, are drumsticks and legs the same thing? 

The short answer is yes. Drumsticks and legs both come from a whole turkey that has been cut in half lengthwise.

Both drumsticks and legs are the lower portions of a turkey that extend from where it is cut or halved. The leg portion consists of two parts: thigh (thicker) and drumstick (longer). 

Can you cook turkey legs from frozen?

Instant Pot is perfect for preparing meats from the frozen state!

To use frozen turkey legs, boil them in the vinegar brine first to thaw and tenderize. Then continue in the air fryer for a delicious outer skin crisp!

Can you freeze these Instant Pot smoked turkey legs for later?

Yes, I often make an extra turkey leg to freeze for when I make black eyed peas, green beans or collard greens later! Store in an air-tight container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

The turkey leg is also much healthier than using a ham hock for flavor in your soul food collard greens recipe.

What do you think about this recipe?

Ready to make Black folks Instant Pot smoked turkey legs? 

The meat is so tender, juicy, and full of delicious soul food flavors because of the pressure cook method.

Watch me whip and do the turkey leg!

Smoked turkey legs are not only for the holidays, though. They are also a favorite at fairs, amusement parks, and theme parks worldwide.

Now you can have that festive carnival feeling at home with a delicious homemade turkey leg paired with a refreshing Dole Whip – just like at Disney!

We used to smoked turkey legs outside on the grill for hours before they were done. But with Instant Pot, you don’t even need a grill, oven, or a stovetop! 

Did you enjoy this Black folks Instant Pot smoked turkey legs recipe?

It’s easy to make this recipe using the Instant Pot with a salt and vinegar brine to tenderize the meat. Then, you’ll only need to air fry the turkey legs to get that crispy skin and smoked flavor!

Have you had it?

Would you make it? 

Comment below and lemme know. 

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