The skin on these baked turkey wings is perfectly seasoned and crispy, and the meat inside is the juiciest and moistest it has ever been. Minimal prep is needed, it’s SO delicious.
When most people think of turkey, they picture the whole bird roasted or just the breast. But have you ever tried cooking other parts of the bird, like the wings?
My oven-roasted turkey wings are a fun change from chicken wings that give you more meat for your buck. I mean, one turkey wing is satisfying enough as a meal on its own. I thought that these wings would only be easy to find around the holidays, but my butcher told me that they are available all year!
Turkey wings are an underrated and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of delicious recipes Here are 10 amazing ways to cook turkey wings and make the most out of this budget-friendly poultry cut,
1. Baked Turkey Wings
Baking is one of the easiest cooking methods for turkey wings. Simply season the wings with a blend of spices like smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Coat with olive oil and bake in the oven at 375F for 30-45 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The low and slow cooking renders the wings juicy and tender on the inside with crisp skin on the outside.
2. Smothered Turkey Wings
For extra flavor, bake the wings in a sauce or gravy. Try smothering the wings in a mushroom or onion gravy seasoned with thyme and garlic. The gravy seeps into the meat while baking keeping the wings incredibly moist.
3. Fried Turkey Wings
Frying turkey wings makes them extra crispy and juicy. Dredge the wings in flour or cornstarch seasoned with paprika, garlic powder salt and pepper. Fry them in hot oil at 350F for 15-20 minutes until deeply golden. The skin becomes super crispy almost like chicken wings but with more meat.
4. Braised Turkey Wings
Braising the wings in broth yields fall-off-the-bone tender wings in a rich savory sauce. Brown the seasoned wings first to develop flavor then braise them low and slow in chicken or turkey broth with aromatics like onions, carrots and celery. The long braising breaks down collagen for melty tender meat.
5. Turkey Wing Gumbo
Turkey wings are terrific in gumbo where they add hearty meatiness. Build a flavorful roux with oil and flour then cook a flavorful Trinity of onions, celery and bell peppers. Add chicken broth, cut okra, spices like cayenne and thyme and slowly simmer the wings for 1-2 hours for a supremely comforting one-pot meal.
6. Oven-Baked BBQ Turkey Wings
For saucy wings, coat them with your favorite barbecue sauce and bake until caramelized. Use a sweeter sauce for more of a glazed effect. The charred edges from baking give the wings a wonderful smoky flavor.
7. Slow Cooker Turkey Wings
Let your slow cooker do all the work and make ultra tender wings. Place the seasoned wings in the slow cooker and add chicken broth, barbecue sauce or buffalo wing sauce and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until fall-apart tender. The meat shreds right off the bone.
8. Air Fryer Turkey Wings
The air fryer lets you cook wings with little to no oil for crispy guilt-free wings in minutes. Toss the wings in oil and seasoning and air fry at 380F for 18-25 minutes, flipping halfway. The convection heat makes the skin perfectly crispy.
9. Turkey Wing Soup or Stew
Add turkey wings to soups and stews for extra protein. The collagen-rich wings enhance the body and texture of the broth. Try them in hearty soups like turkey noodle soup, vegetable beef soup or white bean turkey chili.
10. Leftover Turkey Wing Recipes
Don’t waste those turkey wing leftovers! Shred the meat and use it to make sliders, flatbread pizza, nachos, sandwiches, omelets or topping for salads and baked potatoes. You can also use the bones to make a nutrient-rich bone broth.
Turkey wings are budget-friendly, packed with meat and ideal for long cooking methods that yield tender, juicy meat. Follow these delicious recipe ideas to enjoy turkey wings in all kinds of comforting one-pot meals, game day appetizers and weeknight dinners. With so many possibilities, turkey wings can quickly become a kitchen staple.
How to make baked turkey wings
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post to print out the full recipe instructions and amounts of the ingredients.
Step 1—Prep. In a mixing bowl, mix the olive oil with salt, dried herbs, and spices.
Step 2- Season. Coat the wings in the spice mix, then put a lid on them and let them sit for 5 to 30 minutes.
Step 3- bake. Transfer the wings to a baking dish and pour the chicken stock around them. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 4- Broil. The wings should be golden and crispy around the edges after this point. Take off the foil and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Baked turkey wings cooking time
This depends on how big the wings are and how well your oven cooks food. Turkey wings can be done in 30 minutes or an hour. With my oven (I have a Miele 2. 0), it typically takes around 45 minutes.
The BEST way to tell if your wings are done is to use a meat thermometer to probe the middle of them. The FDA recommends cooking the turkey until it reaches 165F in the thickest part of the wing.
- Pat dry the wings. This helps the wings get crispy faster when you broil them.
- Don’t skip the chicken stock. By pouring the stock around the wings and baking them with their covers on, you make a tasty steam that cooks the turkey to perfection and gives it a lot of flavor and moisture. Don’t fret though- the exterior will be super crispy.
- Save the drippings. I love making simple gravy with the turkey pan drippings. Add about 1/2 cup more chicken broth, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and some extra salt and pepper. Mix everything together with a whisk.
- Use turkey legs. This recipe works perfectly well for turkey legs, too.
- Change up the seasonings. Before I bake the wings, I sometimes like to use poultry seasoning or cover them in a tasty sauce. Like chicken wings, they are so easy to adapt.
To store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze. Baked wings can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat. Putting these in the oven with foil on top is the best way to warm them up, whether they are frozen or just out of the fridge. Once heated through, broil the wings for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Overcooking and undercooking turkey wings are the main reasons they turn out tough. I know I sound like a broken record, but please use a meat thermometer to double-check. Once the meat reaches 165F, it’s ready to eat!.
This particular baked turkey wings recipe is healthy. Turkey wings are high in protein and a range of other essential nutrients. With this said, turkey wings are considered dark meat. This means they are higher in calories and fat than turkey breast. So, consume them in moderation and paired with healthy side dishes.
Yes, you can bake turkey wings smothered in gravy. However, this cooking method will not yield crispy results.
I prefer fresh turkey wings because, through recipe testing, I find they retain the most juice and flavor. Frozen wings will work, too, but you’ll need to let them thaw all the way and pat them dry to get rid of any extra water.
Why I love this recipe
- Perfectly seasoned yet simple. Some simple herbs and spices are all you need to make wings that taste great.
- Hands-off cooking. I love how baking the wings in the oven lets me do almost nothing.
- Crispy and flavorful. Turkey wings that are cooked with the lid on first are juicy and tender, while turkey wings that are cooked with the lid off at the end get crispy skin.
- It’s easier than a whole turkey. My family LOVES a roasted turkey, but I save that for special events most of the time. The wings, though, I can make every week. They are also way cheaper.
- These are great for the holidays! I’ve started making them for Thanksgiving dinner, and my family and friends like them better than the real bird.
- Whole turkey wings. Separated and bone-in. Usually, turkey wings are split into three parts: the drumettes, the wingettes, and the wingtips. My butcher (and it seems like most butchers) can separate them for you, but it’s really easy to do yourself if your whole wing is still together.
- Chicken stock. Homemade or store-bought. Turkey stock will work too.
- Olive oil. To coat the wings with the spices before baking them
- Spices. For this recipe, all I use is paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. It may not look like much, but trust me, the flavors are strong.
- Herbs. Dried thyme, Rosemary, and parsley pair well with turkey. It might be tempting to use fresh herbs, but they burn instead of soak into the meat when you roast or bake them. Because of this, I recommend only the dried kind.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
The BEST Juicy & Tender Oven Baked Turkey Wings
FAQ
What are turkey wings good for?
What to do with wings of turkey?
What do you eat with turkey wings?
How long do turkey wings need to cook?
What to put on baked turkey wings?
Stock: Use either chicken broth or turkey stock to give your baked turkey wings extra succulent meat. Fresh herbs: Though this garnish is optional, fresh herbs—like parsley, thyme, and rosemary—will transform your tender baked turkey wings into a gourmet meal, infusing each bite with herby, bright flavors.
How do you heat up leftover Turkey wings?
To heat up leftover turkey wings, bake them in the preheated oven until browned, 1 hour. Stir cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup water together in a bowl; pour over turkey wings into a casserole dish and return to the oven, uncovered. Continue baking until the turkey is brown and tender, 1 hour.
How do you cook Turkey wings in a casserole dish?
To cook Turkey wings in a casserole dish, first pour 1/2 cup water into the casserole dish and cover it. Bake the turkey wings in the preheated oven for 1 hour, until they are browned. In a bowl, stir together 1 cup water and cream of mushroom soup. Pour this mixture over the turkey wings in the casserole dish and bake, uncovered, until they are brown and tender, for another hour.
How do you cook Turkey wings in the oven?
Pour 2 1/2 cups of broth or water into the bowl, stir, then pour the broth or water into the bake dish. Cover the baking dish and cook the wings in the oven at 350 F for about 1 &1/2 hours to 2 hours Periodically remove the wings from the oven and baste. Turkey wings are done when cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Can you make baked turkey wings all the time?
I made a Sweet Potato Cheesecakeand a Down-Home Cornbread Dressingalong with these turkey wings for a complete and delicious holiday meal. Now it’s time for y’all to realize that turkey doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions like holidays! With a recipe this good, you should be making baked turkey wings all. the. time!
Do you need a wing for Turkey wings?
Here’s what you need: Turkey Wings:as I said above, the wing is superior. Try a local butcher shop if you can’t find fresh or frozen turkey wings at your local grocery stores. For this recipe, feel free to buy whole wings and chop them up into pieces (I prefer to remove the wing tip).