How Long to Bake Turkey Necks at 375°F for Tender, Juicy Results

Turkey necks are an underrated and affordable cut of meat that can make a delicious addition to soups, stews, and other dishes when cooked properly. But many home cooks are unsure of the best way to prepare them. Specifically, a common question is how long to bake turkey necks in the oven at 375°F to achieve tender, fall-off-the-bone results. In this detailed guide, I’ll share my tips for oven-baking turkey necks to perfection.

Why Choose Baking for Cooking Turkey Necks

There are several good reasons why baking is my preferred cooking method for turkey necks:

• Baking provides steady, even heat that gently breaks down the collagen and connective tissues in turkey necks This transforms them from tough to tender and succulent.

• The dry environment of the oven allows turkey necks to cook low and slow without drying out Their fat and juices baste the meat from the inside out

• Seasonings and aromatics can be easily added right to the baking dish to infuse the turkey necks with extra flavor.

• Minimal oil or added fats are required when oven-baking. You simply place the seasoned necks right onto a sheet pan.

• It’s an easy, fuss-free technique accessible to cooks of all skill levels. Once you know the time and temperature, baking turkey necks is foolproof.

Overall, the oven’s gentle heat, lack of moisture, and hands-off process makes it the ideal environment for rendering turkey necks fork tender.

How Long to Bake Turkey Necks at 375°F

Based on extensive testing in my own kitchen, I recommend baking turkey necks for 1.5 – 2 hours at 375°F to achieve perfectly cooked results.

This relatively low oven temperature and lengthy cooking time gives the collagen-rich meat ample opportunity to break down and become tender. Yet it’s still hot enough to cook the necks all the way through to safe internal temperatures.

For turkey necks on the smaller side, err on the shorter end of the time range. Larger or meatier necks may need closer to 2 hours to fully tenderize. The best way to test for doneness is by piercing the meat with a fork. If it pulls away easily from the bone, your turkey necks are ready.

Always use an instant read thermometer for large turkey necks, which should reach 165°F internally when done. Let the cooked necks rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Their juices will redistribute evenly, ensuring moist, succulent meat.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baked Turkey Necks

Follow my simple recipe below for baking turkey necks to tender perfection every time:

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs turkey necks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp paprika
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth or water

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil or use an oven-safe baking dish.
3. Pat the turkey necks dry and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
4. Season the turkey necks on all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
5. Arrange the seasoned necks on the prepared baking pan and top with sliced onion.
6. Pour chicken broth or water into the bottom of the pan. The liquid will help keep the turkey necks moist and tender as they bake.
7. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, until necks are very tender when pierced with a fork.
8. Let turkey necks rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

The seasoned broth left in the baking pan makes an amazing gravy to serve over the baked necks. Simply strain out the solids.

Tips for Baked Turkey Neck Perfection

Follow these handy tips for maximum flavor and tenderness when oven-baking turkey necks:

• Marinate necks overnight in a bag with oil, garlic, and herbs for extra flavor infusion.

• Don’t crowd too many necks on one pan. Allow space for air circulation.

• Use a meat thermometer for very large necks, until 165°F internally.

• Add root vegetables like carrots, celery, or potatoes to the pan for a complete meal.

• Play around with spices like lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, or a BBQ rub.

• Brush necks with extra broth or sauce in the last 15 minutes for a glazed finish.

Serving Ideas for Baked Turkey Necks

Once you’ve mastered the technique for baking turkey necks, it’s time to enjoy them! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve up these underrated oven-baked beauties:

• On creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles

• Shredded in BBQ turkey neck sandwiches

• Chopped into hearty soups, stews, or chilis

• On top of flavorful rice dishes and gravy

• Mixed into a vibrant turkey neck and vegetable salad

• In street tacos or burritos with all the fixings

• Together with traditional soul food sides like black eyed peas, collard greens, and cornbread