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Instant Pot Smoked Turkey Legs The Soul Food Way

Instant Pot Smoked Turkey Legs The Soul Food Way

Soul food turkey legs made fast in the Instant Pot! Tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone turkey cooked in rich Southern seasoning for deep, comforting flavor in a fraction of the time. A modern twist on a soulful classic.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Pressure Release Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 4 turkey legs
Calories: 1036kcal
Author: Shaunda Necole • The Soul Food Pot®

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

Calories: 1036kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 135g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 483mg | Sodium: 1172mg | Potassium: 2098mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 353mg | Iron: 17mg

❤️ 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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