Enjoy a Minimalist Thanksgiving Dinner

As the nation gears up for its most cherished holiday, we’re holding off on decking out our homes with Christmas decor here at AEI Corporation – not until Thanksgiving has been thoroughly enjoyed and savored. Gratitude is a tradition that runs deep through generations. It’s a time to express love and appreciation for those who matter most, to teach children the values we hold dear, and to gain wisdom through reflection.

That’s precisely why we’ve poured so much heart and effort into ensuring our PGS A Series grills are robust, dependable, and stunning. Whether you opt for a model fueled by liquid propane or natural gas, you can be confident that you’re acquiring a grill made in the USA, one built to last, and the perfect outdoor tool to enhance your Thanksgiving celebrations.

PGS A Series grills are perfect for grilling throughout the year. With high-quality, weather-resistant components and various storage solutions, you’ll be able to use your grill even in harsh weather conditions, provided you have a covered patio. Plus, there are multiple mounting, installation, and storage options along with OEM parts to make upkeep simple and straightforward.

Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey Leg Recipe with PGS A Series Grills

Taking all that into account, we thought it’d be delightful to share our favorite smoked turkey leg recipe to make this year’s celebration extra special. Thanksgiving is a time for friends, food, and family – but we’d be remiss to overlook how stressful it can sometimes be. Much of that tension comes from overcrowding in kitchens with limited space. By incorporating a PGS A Series grill into your setup, you’ll increase your cooking capacity and the variety of dishes you can offer.

This smoked turkey leg recipe from TasteOfHome.com has been tweaked slightly to match our grilling preferences. Over time, you’ll be able to adapt such recipes to suit your palate and bring a homemade touch to your Thanksgiving grilling. Here’s the original recipe* for reference.

Thanksgiving Smoked Legs

Ingredients

• ½ cup of melted butter
• 2 teaspoons of sea salt
• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons of seasoned salt
• 1 and ¼ teaspoons of paprika
• 1 and ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of crushed pepper
• ½ teaspoon of dried basil
• ½ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper
• 1 turkey leg (1 & ½ pounds each)
• 3 cups of soaked applewood** chips

Seasoning & Smoking Notes

* Our recipe is expected to be about twice as spicy as the original Taste of Home recipe. We doubled the pepper and used ground pepper for a richer flavor. We also increased the Cayenne pepper by 25%. If you prefer a milder recipe, stick with the original, though we still recommend using crushed peppercorns rather than ordinary pepper. (It makes a significant difference.) For a medium level of spiciness, find a balance between these two recipes.

** Applewood smoke chips, as specified in both the Taste of Home version and ours, provide a light, delicate, and fruity smokiness to the meat. It’s a great choice for the season, but feel free to experiment with other smoke-flavoring chips to suit your taste. Consider the following;

• Cherry: for a mild, sweet flavor
• Peach: a mild, sweet flavor, and a southern favorite
• Maple: mild and sweet, with a robust touch
• Pecan: another holiday favorite, slightly spicy and bold
• Ash: a sweet and nutty flavor that fits the holiday theme

For a more traditional (but less seasonal) BBQ flavor, try;

• Alder: gives a subtle, musky character to the meat
• Mesquite: a strong flavor that’s always a hit
• Hickory: a BBQ classic that won’t disappoint
• Oak: a medium to heavy flavor that’s both comforting and rich

Directions

1. Mix the first nine ingredients in a small bowl and add melted butter. Brush your turkey legs with the mixture and let it rest for four minutes.
 
2. Add your chosen wood chips to the grill (See Make a Smoking Packet below). Place your turkey on the grill rack. Grill the turkey over indirect medium heat, covered, for 40 to 45 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and remove when the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn your turkey legs every four to six minutes during the cooking time.

Make a SMOKING PACKET

Take a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and place a handful of soaked wood chips in the center. Fold the foil around the chips and poke a few holes in the top with a knife or fork to let the smoke escape the packet. Place the packet over direct heat.

No turkey feast is complete without cranberry sauce.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

• 1 lb fresh cranberries
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 3 whole star anise

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat on your PGS Grill Side Burner. Simmer 10 minutes uncovered. Discard the star anise. Cool and serve.

PGS A Series Grills: A Grill That Lasts

All A Series grills are designed to look fantastic, perform superbly, and endure for years with proper care. With optional mounting, covering, and storage solutions, protecting your PGS grill from the elements is effortless. Moreover, the corrosion-resistant construction ensures your grill remains protected even in salty-air environments.

PGS grills feature an innovative modular design. This means if any part needs replacing, you can simply remove the faulty part, order a replacement from our online catalog, and install it with ease.

PGS grills also come equipped with several valuable safety and theft-deterrent features, making them some of the most sought-after outdoor residential and commercial grills in the market. These include an automatic shutoff timer, which is particularly useful for public installations.

It’s not too late to turn this Thanksgiving into a world-class grilling family event with these award-winning grills. Get in touch today to learn more and order yours!