Turkey necks offer many nutritional benefits to a dog’s diet. They are high in protein, and contain calcium, phosphorous and other important minerals. Additionally, turkey necks are rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are both known to support the joint health and mobility of dogs. Turkey necks are also healthy, fully digestible chews, supporting canine gum and dental health.
Turkey necks are an underrated and often overlooked part of the turkey that actually offer some amazing health benefits. While turkey necks might not be the most popular or conventional cut of meat, they are packed with nutrients and can be a nutritious addition to your diet. In this comprehensive guide we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the health benefits of turkey necks.
An Overview of Turkey Necks
Turkey necks come from the neck of the turkey and contain a mix of dark meat, skin, cartilage and bone. They have a deep, rich flavor that is more intense than breast meat. Turkey necks can be purchased fresh or frozen and are relatively inexpensive.
While not utilized as much as other cuts like breast, thigh or wing, turkey necks provide a substantial amount of protein vitamins minerals and collagen. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the top nutrients
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Protein: High-quality, muscle-building protein. A 3 oz serving contains about 22g.
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B Vitamins: Important for energy and nervous system function. Specifically B3, B6 and B12.
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Iron: Vital for oxygen transport in red blood cells.
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Zinc and Selenium Support immune system function and thyroid health.
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Collagen: Abundant structural protein that promotes skin, joint and gut health.
Potential Health Benefits of Turkey Necks
Due to their stellar nutritional profile, incorporating turkey necks into your diet offers several potential health advantages:
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Builds and Repairs Muscle: The substantial protein content assists with muscle growth and repair. Great for active lifestyles.
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Strengthens Bones: Rich source of bone-benefiting minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
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Boosts Immunity: Zinc, selenium and vitamin B6 boost immune response.
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Aids Injury Recovery: Collagen helps rebuild connective tissues like tendons and ligaments.
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Supports Skin Health: Collagen improves skin elasticity and zinc assists with wound healing.
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Protects Heart Health: B vitamins help control homocysteine levels and omega-3s support cholesterol.
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Enhances Digestion: Collagen can help repair gut lining; protein improves satiety.
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Regulates Blood Sugar: Protein and collagen help control blood sugar spikes and crashes.
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Supports Thyroid Function: Selenium is essential for thyroid hormone production.
How to Cook Turkey Necks
Turkey necks offer amazing versatility in the kitchen. Here are some simple, delicious ways to cook them:
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Braise or simmer in broth, wine or barbecue sauce until fork tender.
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Roast in the oven with aromatic spices and herbs.
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Grill over medium-high heat, basting frequently with sauce.
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Slow cook in a crockpot with vegetables for a nourishing stew.
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Pan fry until crispy and browned.
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Chop and add to chilis, soups, casseroles and pasta sauces.
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Use in place of or combined with ground meat in recipes.
For maximum flavor, sear the skin before braising or roasting. Pair with roasted veggies, mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes. Leftovers are great in sandwiches, wraps or salads.
Selecting and Storing Turkey Necks
When buying turkey necks, look for:
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Plump, meaty necks without blemishes.
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Fresh whenever possible, but frozen pre-packaged is fine.
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Around 1 lb per person.
Store fresh necks in the fridge for 2-3 days max. Freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw frozen necks overnight in the fridge before cooking. Rinse and pat dry necks before cooking.
Nutrition Facts: Turkey Necks Pack a Nutrient Punch
Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts of turkey necks according to the USDA:
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A 3 oz serving of cooked turkey neck meat (without skin or bone) contains approximately:
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246 calories
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34g protein
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11g fat
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277mg phosphorus (40% DV)
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2mcg vitamin B12 (90% DV)
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1mg vitamin B6 (44% DV)
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55mcg selenium (100% DV)
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9mg niacin (56% DV)
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6mg zinc (56% DV)
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Turkey necks provide all 9 essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis.
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They contain high levels of glycine and proline—amino acids needed for collagen formation.
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Turkey necks are a rich source of type II collagen, which supports joint, skin and gut health.
So turkey necks deliver a powerhouse of protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
The Benefits of Turkey Neck Collagen
One of the biggest health benefits of turkey necks is their abundant collagen content. Here’s an overview of why collagen is so beneficial:
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Promotes Joint Health: Collagen provides cushioning for joints and protects against deterioration. Can reduce arthritis symptoms.
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Improves Skin Elasticity: Boosts production of new skin cells and hydrates skin. Helps minimize wrinkles and aging.
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Strengthens Hair & Nails: Collagen forms the structural foundation for hair and nails. Supports growth and reduces breakage.
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Supports Gut Lining: Helps repair leaky gut syndrome and intestinal inflammation for better digestion.
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Speeds Injury Recovery: Facilitates rebuilding of damaged connective tissues like tendons and ligaments.
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Boosts Metabolism: Glycine found in collagen can help optimize metabolic function and fat burning.
So consuming collagen-rich turkey necks offers widespread benefits throughout the body.
Tips for Cooking & Preparing Turkey Necks
To get the most out of your turkey necks, follow these helpful tips:
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Sear or roast the necks before braising to enhance flavor.
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Simmer slowly in a broth, wine or sauce for 1-2 hours until tender.
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Add aromatics like onions, garlic, herbs and spices to boost flavor.
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Once cooked, meat should easily pull away from the bone.
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Let cool slightly before pulling meat off bones.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days and freeze cooked necks for 2-3 months.
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Substitute chopped neck meat for ground meat in recipes.
With the proper preparation, turkey necks offer a bounty of flavor and nutrients to boost the nutrition of any dish!
Creative Ways to Eat Turkey Necks
From soups to tacos, here are some inventive ways to enjoy turkey necks:
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Turkey Neck Soup – Simmer necks in broth with veggies and noodles or rice.
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BBQ Turkey Neck Sandwiches – Chop cooked necks and pile onto buns with sauce.
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Turkey Neck Stir Fry – Slice cooked necks and stir fry with veggies in a wok.
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Turkey Neck Stew – Braise necks with potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and broth.
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Turkey Neck Enchiladas – Fill tortillas with chopped necks, cheese, beans and sauce.
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Turkey Neck Hash – Sauté necks with potatoes, peppers, onions and spices.
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Turkey Neck Tacos – Shred meat and top corn tortillas with fixings like avocado and salsa.
With some creativity, the possibilities are endless for enjoying the deep flavor and nutrients of turkey necks!
The Bottom Line on Turkey Necks
While not the most popular cut of meat, turkey necks provide an impressive array of nutrients in each bite. They are packed with protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and most notably, collagen. Consuming turkey necks regularly can provide benefits for your muscles, bones, skin, joints, gut and more.
Turkey necks make cost-effective additions to soups, stews, tacos and other dishes. Their amazing versatility in the kitchen and stellar nutrition profile make them a smart choice to incorporate into a healthy diet.
So next time you spot turkey necks at the grocery store, consider grabbing them. Your body will thank you for the bounty of nutrition they provide! With proper cooking, turkey necks can be tender, flavorful and good for you too.
Aren’t Poultry Bones Dangerous for Dogs?
Most of us have been given the advice to never give poultry bones to a dog. Despite its prevalence, this well intended advice is only partially correct. It is true that the bones of cooked, boiled or fried chicken, turkey or other poultry should never be given to a dog. The high cooking temperatures turn poultry bones into hard, glass like structures, which then breaks into sharp and pointy splinters if dogs chew on them. These splinters can cause serious injuries.
Raw, freeze-dried or dehydrated poultry bones are considered safe treats for dogs. In contrast to cooked poultry bones, their texture is rather soft and brittle. When chewed, they will crush, but not break into pointy objects. This is especially true for whole poultry parts, where the bones are still surrounded by connective tissue and meat. Examples include: chicken feet, chicken necks, duck feet, duck necks, or turkey necks. These parts make healthy, nutritious and fully digestible dog chews, and can even substitute for parts of your canine’s diet.
Dog Eating a Dehydrated Turkey Neck
Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs
Raw or dehydrated turkey necks are not only safe for your dogs to eat, but they also offer many nutritional benefits to your canine’s diet, including:
- High quality protein
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
- Calcium, phosphorous, and other trace minerals
Super Tender Smothered Turkey Necks | Comfort Food | Chef AldenB
FAQ
Is eating turkey neck healthy?
With or without bone, turkey necks are a rich, natural source of protein while edible bone and cartilage are rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chondroitin, and glucosamine which supports joint health and improved mobility.
Are turkey necks high in cholesterol?
Turkey, neck contains 3 g of saturated fat and 171 mg of cholesterol per serving.
Is neck meat good for you?
… necks from Prime Nosh are not only a culinary delight but also a powerhouse of nutrients that support skin vitality, joint health, and overall wellness
Is turkey neck considered lean meat?
We often use turkey necks (whole or ground) in our raw diets. Why? ✅They are lean, ✅Contribute moderate magnesium, ✅Contribute fewer calories to the diet, so we have room to include nutrient dense foods, ✅High calcium to phosphorus ratio What’s the benefit of a high ca:p.
Are turkey necks good?
Turkey necks are an often overlooked and underrated gem in the world of poultry. While they might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of turkey, necks are a treasure trove of flavor. Packed with succulent meat and rich in collagen, they are perfect for making savory stocks, broths, and soups.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Is Turkey Neck good for weight loss?
Turkey is one of the finest and richest meat sources. Turkey necks are especially delectable and what fun it is to pick up the meat from the neck bone. The necks can be cooked separately to make a tasty treat. You have to work on the turkey necks, picking on the meat which is good for people trying to lose weight.
Should you eat turkey neck meat?
Neck meat is a flavorful choice if you want a touch more indulgence while still maintaining the nutritional value of turkey. According to NutritionValue.org, turkey necks share a similar nutrition profile to other dark meat from the bird.
Is Turkey Neck good for dogs?
Feeding ground turkey necks will help your dog’s teeth to be clean. Also, turkey necks have only 10 percent of bone that will be fine to your dog. But, you have to check whether your dog swallows the turkey meat as a whole. In such cases, train your dog to chew it. Overall, turkey neck is a great food to your dog.
What is a turkey neck?
As the name suggests, turkey necks refer to the entire neck of the turkey, without the head, skin, or crop (a muscular pouch that stores food). The neck contains the spine (including the bones or vertebrae), the trachea (windpipe), muscle, and connective tissue.