Description
Tender and juicy slow cooker turkey legs simmered in a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika. This easy and hands-off recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (loosely packed)
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Turkey Legs
- 6 turkey legs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the barbecue sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, water, brown sugar, yellow mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a smooth sauce.
- Season the turkey legs: Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels, then season them generously with salt and black pepper on all sides to enhance their flavor.
- Place turkey legs in slow cooker: Arrange the seasoned turkey legs in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer, making sure they are spaced evenly.
- Pour sauce over turkey: Evenly pour the prepared barbecue sauce over the turkey legs, ensuring they are well coated for maximum flavor infusion during cooking.
- Cook the turkey legs: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook the turkey legs on low heat for 5 to 6 hours, or alternatively on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. The turkey is done when it is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve and enjoy: Carefully remove the turkey legs from the slow cooker once cooked. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes and enjoy a deliciously flavorful meal.
Notes
- This slow cooker method yields tender, juicy turkey drumsticks with a rich and tangy barbecue flavor.
- The homemade barbecue sauce is easily customizable—adjust the sweetness or tanginess by varying the brown sugar or vinegar amounts.
- For crispier skin, you can broil the turkey legs in the oven for 3-5 minutes after slow cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 turkey leg with sauce
- Calories: 1057
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 923 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 133 g
- Cholesterol: 481 mg
