Smokey & Saucy Turkey Drumsticks with a Grilled Peach BBQ Sauce 

Smokey & Saucy Turkey Drumsticks with a Grilled Peach BBQ Sauce 

Serves 6 

Grilled Turkey Drumsticks 

8 cups water 

½ cup sea salt 

½ cup + ½ tablespoon packed brown sugar, divided 

6 turkey drumsticks 

3 fresh thyme sprigs 

3 fresh rosemary sprigs 

1 head garlic, halved 

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil 

2 tablespoons your favorite bbq spice-rub mixture 

Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper 

Grilled Peach BBQ sauce 

6 large ripe peaches, halved 

2 tablespoons butter

1 large white onion, diced 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced 

½ cup chicken stock 

1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika 

2 cups ketchup 

3 tablespoons honey 

2 tablespoons soy sauce 

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper

First, brine your turkey. 

Combine the water, ½ cup sea salt, and ½ cup brown sugar in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. When the salt and sugar have dissolved, remove from the heat, add your thyme, rosemary, and garlic, and cool to room temperature. Add your turkey drumsticks, making sure that they’re completely submerged, then cover and chill in the fridge for 12 hours (or overnight). 

Preheat a grill to 375 degrees F. 

Pat your turkey drumsticks completely dry with paper towels, then coat in olive oil, your spice rub of choice, and season with a pinch or two of sea salt. Place directly on the grill grates and cook until the skin is golden and crispy, and the turkey is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (about 1 ½ hours, but remember – we’re cooking to temperature and not time. The size of your drumsticks and consistent temperature of your grill will ultimately determine cooking time, so an instant-read thermometer is essential here). 

Meanwhile, halve the peaches, remove the pit, and place directly on the grill grates to char, about 8 – 10 minutes. Slice and dice the grilled peaches into small pieces. Heat a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat and melt your butter. When melted, add the onion, season with a pinch of salt, and cook until softened and translucent, about 6 – 8 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno, and cook for 1 minute, keeping a close watch that the garlic doesn’t burn. Add all of your remaining bbq sauce ingredients, diced grilled peaches, season with salt and pepper, then bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 25 – 30 minutes, until thickened. Puree with an immersion blender, then seat aside. Note! This recipe makes extra bbq sauce – perfect for your next turkey grilling adventure. 

When there is about 30 minutes remaining in your turkey cooking time, coat the drumsticks completely in bbq sauce. Cook until the sauce tightens. 

Serve your beautiful grilled turkey drumsticks with extra bbq sauce, and your favorite summer side dishes. Delicious!