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Test Kitchen Approved

Smoked Mutton Leg

Smoked Mutton Leg

Smoked Mutton Leg

Recipe By Savory Spice Test Kitchen

Yields

6 to 8 servings

Prep Time

10 Minutes

Cooking Time

6 Hours

Recipe By Savory Spice Test Kitchen

Smoked mutton is unique to Kentucky barbecue. The gaminess of this older sheep benefits from low-and-slow smoking. When you smoke the whole leg, you can pull the tender meat right off the bone and serve it shredded or chopped. Mix the smoked mutton edges with the smoked edges of pork and serve with our Black Dip Barbecue Sauce for “Chip & Dip,” a Kentucky barbecue original.

Serving Suggestions

Mix the smoked mutton edges with the smoked edges of pork and serve with our Black Dip Barbecue Sauce for “Chip & Dip,” a Kentucky barbecue original.

Recipe Notes

*Mutton is a mature sheep that’s more than 1 year old; whereas lamb is a young sheep less than 1 year old. Lamb can be substituted for mutton in this method if you can’t find mutton in your part of the country. We ordered ours online.

**Savory's 'Cue Glue helps the seasoning stick to your protein and seals in moisture. Simply slather on 2 to 3 tsp. per pound on all sides of the meat before applying the seasoning.

This recipe requires a smoker.

Ingredients

Savory Spice ingredients in this recipe

  • Cue Glue

    'Cue Glue is a meat binder that's exclusive to Savory Spice. This "BBQ glue" helps stick your spices & seasonings to your grilled meats. As a b...

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  • Salt & Pepper Tableside Seasoning

    Salt & Pepper Tableside Seasoning may seem like an obvious, simple one to always have on hand – but this salt and pepper mix is a Savory Spice ...

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  • Mt. Elbert All-Purpose Seasoning

    Mt. Elbert All-Purpose Seasoning is an all-purpose spice blend that, while simpler, still has tons of great flavor & can be used in most cookin...

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  • Midwestern Sweet Barbecue Sauce

    Get 10% off the purchase of any 3 Barbecue Sauces - mix & match your favorites! This Midwestern Sweet BBQ Sauce was inspired by visits to legen...

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Directions

Slather leg on all sides with 'Cue Glue (if using) before rubbing leg with seasoning. Rub leg generously with salt & pepper and BBQ seasoning to coat. Set rubbed leg aside while you get the smoker ready.

Use the 3-2-1 method to smoke-roast-grill the leg:

  • 3 hours in the smoker: Get smoker set up with wood of choice and heat to 250 to 275 degrees. Set shoulder in smoker and maintain temperature range while leg smokes for 3 hours.
  • 2 hours in the oven: Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Wrap leg in aluminum foil and add 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar to the wrap. Set foil packet on a baking sheet and roast leg for 2 hours.
  • 1 hour on the grill: About 30 min. before removing leg from oven, heat grill to 300 degrees, keeping heat all to one side. Remove leg from oven and remove the foil wrap. Place leg on grill on the opposite side of the heat. Close lid and check temperature every 15 min. or so, basting or saucing if desired each time you check. Leg is done when internal temperature reaches 190 degrees, which takes about an hour. Let rest for 15 to 20 min. before serving.
  • To serve: Shred or chop to serve. Serve with Midwestern Sweet Barbecue Sauce for drizzling or dunking.