Find out how to cook smoked turkey necks on the stove until they are so tender that they fall off the bone! This recipe is perfect for the holidays or any night of the week because the turkey necks are already smoked. The combination of rich smoky flavor and tender melt-in-your-mouth meat is so good!.
Turkey is often served for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you might not want to cook a whole turkey this year. On days like these, I like to serve turkey necks, legs, wings, or other parts of the bird. These smaller portions are much simpler to prepare and they are more enjoyable for everyone.
Necks of turkey are a cheap cut of meat that tastes a lot like oxtails but doesn’t cost as much.
An easy way to prepare smoked turkey necks is on the stove. The necks taste even better when cooked with chicken broth, onions, and garlic, and the meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. This recipe takes a while to cook but its very hands-off and well worth the wait!.
Find out how to cook smoked turkey necks on the stove until they are so tender that they fall off the bone! This recipe is perfect for the holidays or any night of the week because the turkey necks are already smoked. The combination of rich smoky flavor and tender melt-in-your-mouth meat is so good!.
Leftovers: To store smoked turkey necks for up to three to four days, put them in a container that won’t let air in and put it in the fridge.
Put them in a pot with a little water or broth, cover it, and heat them over low to medium heat on the stove until they are hot all the way through. You can also put them in a dish that can go in the microwave and cover it. Check and stir them every minute to make sure they heat up evenly.
Can You Boil Smoked Turkey? The Complete Guide
Smoked turkey is a classic centerpiece for holiday meals and special gatherings. The smoky, savory flavor makes it a delicious main course when roasted or grilled. But if you have leftover smoked turkey after the big event, you may be wondering if you can repurpose it by boiling it in soups, stews, or even just to reheat it.
The good news is that yes, you absolutely can boil smoked turkey! Boiling is a safe, easy and effective cooking method that keeps the turkey moist and tender while allowing the smoke flavor to permeate throughout the meat.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about boiling smoked turkey at home. You’ll learn tips for choosing the right smoked turkey, recommended cook times, step-by-step boiling instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Smoked Turkey for Boiling
When selecting a smoked turkey to boil, keep the following tips in mind:
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Opt for smaller cuts like turkey breast or drumsticks rather than a large whole turkey, which can be tricky to boil properly. Pieces that are 5 lbs or less work best.
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Make sure the turkey you choose is fully cooked and smoked when you purchase it. Raw turkey requires very different cooking methods compared to smoked.
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Look for “low sodium” or “reduced sodium” on the label if possible. Smoked turkey is already salty, so starting with an unsalted product allows you better control over the final seasoning.
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Consider whether you want the turkey skin on or off. Leaving the skin on will yield crisper results after boiling, while skinless may be easier to work with for shredding or chopping.
Following these guidelines will set you up with an ideal smoked turkey for boiling.
Determining Boil Time for Smoked Turkey
The amount of time needed to boil smoked turkey can vary based on a few factors:
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Size of the cut – smaller pieces like breast or drumsticks take less time compared to a whole turkey.
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Temperature – gentle simmering is best to prevent rubbery meat. Rapid boiling can make the turkey tough.
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Desired texture – boil just until heated through and tender (15-30 minutes) or much longer if you want shredded turkey (1-2 hours).
Taking these elements into account, the ideal boil times for smoked turkey are:
- Turkey breast or legs: 30-45 minutes
- Whole turkey: 60-90 minutes
- Shredded turkey: 90-120 minutes
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F at the thickest part once boiled.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Boiling Smoked Turkey
Follow this simple process for perfect boiled smoked turkey every time:
Ingredients Needed:
- 3-5 lbs smoked turkey breast, drumsticks, thighs or wings
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage (optional)
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Rinse smoked turkey under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place turkey in a large pot and add broth, onion, carrots, garlic, bay leaf and any fresh herbs.
- Bring broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cover pot and let turkey simmer for 30-60 minutes until heated through and fork tender.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm turkey reaches 165°F.
- Remove turkey from broth and season with salt and pepper before serving.
The aromatic vegetable broth keeps the turkey moist while adding extra flavor. Feel free to add any spices or seasonings you enjoy too!
Handy Tips for Best Results
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For easy shredding, boil turkey up to 2 hours until very tender.
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Use low sodium broth and season lightly after cooking to control saltiness.
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Add garlic, onions, celery, carrots, peppers or other vegetables to the broth for extra flavor.
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Strain and reserve the broth after cooking to use for soups, gravy or risotto.
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Slice, shred or chop the turkey to top salads, make sandwiches, tacos, casseroles and more!
Frequently Asked Questions About Boiling Smoked Turkey
- Is it safe to boil fully cooked smoked turkey?
Yes, it is completely safe to boil pre-cooked smoked turkey as long as food safety guidelines are followed, like maintaining proper temperature control. The moist gentle heat of boiling helps prevent the turkey from drying out.
- Does boiling enhance the flavor of smoked turkey?
Boiling not only keeps smoked turkey tender and juicy, it allows the smoky flavors to fully permeate and distribute throughout the meat. The various seasonings in the cooking liquid also impart extra flavor.
- How should I store leftover boiled smoked turkey?
Let the boiled turkey cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days. For longer storage, boiled turkey can be frozen for several months.
- What’s the best way to reheat boiled smoked turkey?
To reheat boiled turkey slices, shreds or pieces, place them in a saucepan with a bit of broth or turkey gravy. Gently heat through until warmed to 165°F and serve.
The Takeaway on Boiling Smoked Turkey
Boiling smoked turkey is a simple yet effective cooking technique that results in tender, moist and flavorful meat every time. The simmering broth infuses the turkey with extra smoky taste while keeping it juicy. Follow the guidelines in this guide for tips on choosing a turkey, determining cook times, step-by-step boiling instructions, storage recommendations, and answers to common questions. In no time, you’ll be a pro at repurposing leftover smoked turkey into amazing boiled turkey dishes!
How to cook already smoked turkey necks
Before cooking its important to prep your smoked turkey necks properly. Start by placing them in a colander or sieve. Under cool running water, gently rinse each turkey neck, removing any surface salt or impurities. Using paper towels, pat each neck dry, eliminating as much moisture as possible.
Once you’re ready to cook the turkey necks, choose a large pot or pan with a heavy bottom that’s big enough to fit the necks comfortably. Add the turkey necks to this pot.
Coarsely chopped onion comes next; these pieces dont need to be uniform but should be peeled and quartered. Crush a bunch of whole, unpeeled garlic cloves with the side of a knife and add them to the mix.
Pour in enough water to submerge the turkey necks fully or almost all the way. If youre using water, you have the freedom to toss in any herbs or spices for added flavor.
Place the pot on a high heat burner, occasionally stirring as the contents heat. When a rolling boil is achieved, adjust the stove to a lower setting to maintain a gentle simmer. Remember, a hard boil can toughen your meat.
Cover your pot, leaving a slight gap for steam to escape. This step will make sure there is no messy overflows. Let the turkey necks simmer in this state for about 1. 5 to 2 hours.
Its wise to check in occasionally, stirring gently and ensuring the liquid doesnt evaporate excessively. If it does, add a little more liquid to keep everything submerged. The cooking process is complete when the meat is tender enough to pull away from the bone easily.
After the simmering process, sample the broth. Smoked turkey necks have a salty profile, so additional seasoning should be approached with caution. Add salt as needed and freshly ground black pepper for taste.
Once seasoned to your liking, serve the turkey necks while hot. They pair wonderfully with rice or greens, complementing their smoky flavor profile beautifully.
Smoked turkey necks. Youll need 2 – 3 smoked turkey necks for this recipe. They are usually pre-cooked and can be found in the deli meat section of most grocery stores.
Onion and garlic. Both are added to the broth to enhance the savory and smoky flavors of the meat.
Water. The cooking liquid used to cook the smoked turkey necks and keep them moist and tender.
Salt and black pepper. Smoked turkey necks already have seasoning on them so just add enough to taste.
Fresh jalapenos. Adds a nice spice kick to the dish.
What do i love about this recipe
If you need an easy dinner idea, cooking with smoked turkey is one of my familys favorite meals. Its quick to take out and cook without having to worry about thawing the meat the night before. When these smoked turkey necks are boiled on the stove, it’s hard to cook them too much, so the meat won’t be dry and flavorless.
You can find smoked turkey all year long, so this recipe for a simple, hearty meal can be made any day of the week. Serve them with beans, steamed rice, with your favorite gravy, or alongside steamed or roasted vegetable side dishes.
Smoked turkey necks. Use pre-smoked turkey wings if you prefer.
Onions and garlic. Use shallots or pearl onions if you have them.
Water. Use chicken stock or turkey broth/stock. You could also use plain water mixed with a chicken or turkey bullion cube. Just make sure you use a bouillon cube or low-sodium broth or stock so that your smoked turkey necks don’t get too salty.
If you want to use raw turkey necks, cook them for an extra 30 minutes to an hour to make sure they are soft and fully cooked. I also think you should add some liquid smoke, smoked paprika, or smoked salt to your turkey necks to make them taste really smoky.
Add fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, or cayenne pepper to the cooking liquid. Really strong herbs, spices, or spice mixes should not be used because they might make the rich smokey flavor of the turkey necks taste too weak.
Add chopped green bell pepper or celery to the chicken broth for an extra boost of flavor.
Save any leftover broth to make a homemade gravy by thickening it with cornstarch or flour. You could also add ¼ to ½ of a store-bought brown gravy mix to the broth and cook it until it gets thick.
Yes, most store-bought smoked turkey necks are already fully cooked. It should say that on the package, and you can find them in most big grocery stores near the deli meat.
No, smoked turkey is already fully cooked. However, boiling it in chicken broth with other herbs or aromatics is a great way to add more flavor and make the meat soft and tender.
You can eat these smoked turkey necks with mashed potatoes, gravy, steamed rice, or vegetables like corn, broccoli, or squash that have been steamed or roasted.
- If you want the meat to be the softest, always choose a longer simmer of low heat. The slow cooking process lets the flavors blend and the meat get soft without getting tough or stringy.
- Turkey necks contain smaller bones. When serving food to guests, especially kids, after cooking, be careful not to choking them.
- Smoked turkey necks have a strong flavor profile. Serve them with sides that can go with or against the smokey flavor, like mashed potatoes, sautéed greens, or a light salad.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the broth in the last 30 minutes of cooking can give it new tastes and smells.
- Adding vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or celery while the broth is simmering can give it more flavor. You can strain these out later if you want to, or you can eat them with the necks.
Mashed Potatoes: Simply boil peeled potatoes until tender, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
Steamed Green Beans: To make these, steam or blanch fresh green beans and then mix them with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Coleslaw: Mix shredded cabbage and carrots with a store-bought or homemade coleslaw dressing.
Cornbread: Prepare using a boxed mix or your favorite simple recipe.
Rice: Cook white or brown rice according to package directions and season with butter, salt, and pepper.
Baked Beans: Thaw a can of your favorite baked beans or quickly make your own with ketchup, brown sugar, and a pinch of vinegar.
Put the smoked turkey necks in a container that won’t let air in and put it in the fridge for up to three to four days.
Put them in a pot with a little water or broth, cover it, and heat them over low to medium heat on the stove until they are hot all the way through. You can also put them in a dish that can go in the microwave and cover it. Check and stir them every minute to make sure they heat up evenly.
How to Prepare Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs. Quick and Easy Short Cut Jerk BBQ or Any BBQ Sauce
FAQ
Can I boil smoked turkey?
How do you cook a turkey that is already smoked?
How to heat fully cooked smoked turkey?
Is smoked turkey meat already cooked?