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Grilled Turkey Drumsticks

Brined grilled turkey legs

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Ingredients
  

  • 6 Turkey legs

Brine

  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¾ cup salt
  • 2 sticks cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp crushed cayenne pepper
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion grossly chopped
  • 1 orange sliced in quarters
  • Italian parsley fresh
  • thyme fresh
  • rosemary fresh

Seasoning

  • ¼ cup olive oil to apply before the seasoning
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion flakes
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp rosemary fresh & crushed
  • 1 tsp thyme fresh & crushed
  • 1 tsp sage rubbed
  • 1 tsp celery salt

Sauce

  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp butter slated
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce, sriracha style

Instructions
 

Brine

  • In a large pot over high heat, bring water and all the other brine ingredients to a boil.
  • Stir to ensure that the salt and brown sugar have completely dissolved.
  • Remove from the heat source and let it cool completely. I like to refrigerate, so it cools down faster.
  • Pour the chilly brine into a Ziploc bag or a large container.
  • Immerse the turkey legs in the brine, and seal the bag. Refrigerate overnight or at least a minimum of 2 hours.

Seasoning application

  • In a small bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients alltogether.
  • Remove the turkey legs from the brine and pat them with paper towels. Discard the brine. 
  • Brush the legs all over with olive oil and rub with the seasoning blend.

Sauce

  • Mix all the sauce ingredients in a sauce pan.
  • Bring to a boil while stirring with a whisk.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for 2-4 minutes on low until thickened. Set aside.

Cooking

  • Preheat one zone of your grill to high heat for direct grilling and an other zone indirect.
  • Sear turkey legs on the grill for approximately 2 minutes each side.
  • Finish to cook them on indirect for another 30 minutes.
  • During the last 15 minutes of grilling, baste them a few times with warm sauce.
  • They are done once their internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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