Pleasantly Surprised!!

[luvtohunt]

Well I was fortunate enough to kill two turkeys this year during what can only be called an odd and difficult season. One happened to be an 18 pound jake. I had never taken a jake before so decided since it was a younger bird I would try to eat the legs and not just breast it out. So breasted the bird like normal and then took the leg and thigh off together without messing with gutting the bird. So I ended up with skinless leg an thigh quarters. I decided yesterday to make some pinto beans and thought to myself this may be a good opportunity to use one of those leg/thigh combos so in it went. Cooked about 8-9 hours on low in the slow cooker. When I got home I just pulled the bone out of the pot along with all the cartilage pieces that are low in the leg bone and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. That meat was fantastic. It shredded very well in the beans and was tender. Reminded me of the real rich darker meat you find in pork with just a slight bit of game taste. It was a fantastic way to use a turkey leg and I will never skin another bird without taking them. Add in a big yellow onion, a pone of cornbread, some greens and kraut and you are set!!! Anyone else got any good ways to fix turkey legs????

 

[mudhole crossing]

Thst does sound good!!

 

[KY Swamp Beagler]

Well I was fortunate enough to kill two turkeys this year during what can only be called an odd and difficult season. One happened to be an 18 pound jake. I had never taken a jake before so decided since it was a younger bird I would try to eat the legs and not just breast it out. So breasted the bird like normal and then took the leg and thigh off together without messing with gutting the bird. So I ended up with skinless leg an thigh quarters. I decided yesterday to make some pinto beans and thought to myself this may be a good opportunity to use one of those leg/thigh combos so in it went. Cooked about 8-9 hours on low in the slow cooker. When I got home I just pulled the bone out of the pot along with all the cartilage pieces that are low in the leg bone and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. That meat was fantastic. It shredded very well in the beans and was tender. Reminded me of the real rich darker meat you find in pork with just a slight bit of game taste. It was a fantastic way to use a turkey leg and I will never skin another bird without taking them. Add in a big yellow onion, a pone of cornbread, some greens and kraut and you are set!!! Anyone else got any good ways to fix turkey legs????

How did you season the beans? I kept the legs off my birds, too. I was gonna go the slow cooker route and Cajun seasoning, but beans sound damn good.

 

[luvtohunt]

I stayed simple with salt and pepper because by the time I throw a little vinegar in the greens and the briny kraut, it can be too much. Of course I'm a mix it all together in one big bowl kinda guy when it comes to beans so if you don't plan on doing it that way, some additional seasoning may be necessary. I really enjoyed the rich game flavor the beans got from the meat though and believe too much seasoning may also cover that up a bit.

 

[KY Swamp Beagler]

I stayed simple with salt and pepper because by the time I throw a little vinegar in the greens and the briny kraut, it can be too much. Of course I'm a mix it all together in one big bowl kinda guy when it comes to beans so if you don't plan on doing it that way, some additional seasoning may be necessary. I really enjoyed the rich game flavor the beans got from the meat though and believe too much seasoning may also cover that up a bit.

I’m going to try it this weekend. Pinto beans and thunder chicken seems like good rainy day vittles.

 

[luvtohunt]

Well you let me know if my taste buds are out of whack then because I was surely surprised!! My old lady even said we aren't having beans any other way from now on and I said I only got one turkey leg left. She said get back out there

 

[ddwhitetails]

Thats a great idea for turkey legs!!

 

[KY Swamp Beagler]

Well you let me know if my taste buds are out of whack then because I was surely surprised!! My old lady even said we aren't having beans any other way from now on and I said I only got one turkey leg left. She said get back out there

I got home from a wet fruitless hunt. I pulled the turkey leg bone out, shredded the meat, dumped it back in, hit her with some salt, pepper and a little Slap Ya’ Mama Cajun seasoning for a kick. You’re right. That’s some good eating for sure.

 

[KY Swamp Beagler]

Well you let me know if my taste buds are out of whack then because I was surely surprised!! My old lady even said we aren't having beans any other way from now on and I said I only got one turkey leg left. She said get back out there

My little lady gave the turkey and beans a 9 out of 10. Thanks for the idea.

 

[carnivore]

Glad to see you found use for them. Im going to give it a try next year.

 

[KY Swamp Beagler]

I’m thawing out another leg and thigh now. I plan on cooking it down in the crock pot again, but this time in apple cider and Rotel. Then shredding it and making a pot of homemade chili.

I got the hankering for chili a few days ago.

 

[JR PORTER]

I’m thawing out another leg and thigh now. I plan on cooking it down in the crock pot again, but this time in apple cider and Rotel. Then shredding it and making a pot of homemade chili.

I got the hankering for chili a few days ago.

Turkey chili sounds good. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[luvtohunt]

That sounds excellent!! I promise you I will never toss another out again!!!!

 

[inchr48]

I bet a brine and smoke on the legs/thighs then into the beans would be great too!

 

[KY Swamp Beagler]

I bet a brine and smoke on the legs/thighs then into the beans would be great too!

I was out of liquid smoke, but I wanted to add a bit. Brining and smoking would be the way to go.

Alas, some degenerate stole my smoker off the porch. A special kind of scumbag steals a man’s smoker. That’s grounds for a horse whipping no doubt.