Can You Cook a Turkey With the Neck Inside? A Complete Guide
Cooking up a perfect turkey for the holidays often starts with a debate – should you leave the neck inside the cavity or take it out? While the idea of an intact raw neck may put off some cooks, there are legitimate reasons why many advocate cooking a turkey with the neck left in place.
In this complete guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons, proper safety steps, and tips for preparing turkey with the neck inside to achieve maximum flavor and ideal results.
Why Cook a Turkey With the Neck Inside?
Here are the main benefits of leaving the neck within the turkey cavity while roasting:
Enhanced Flavor
As the neck slowly cooks, it releases collagen, fat, and turkey juices that essentially baste the bird from the inside out. This keeps the breast and other meat remarkably moist and infuses incredible flavor throughout. The neck acts like an internal flavor boosters.
Better Gravy and Stock
Once cooked, the turkey neck can be used to make insanely delicious gravy, stock for soups, savory rice dishes and more. The neck provides rich, concentrated turkey flavor.
Tradition
Cooking the annual holiday turkey with the neck intact is considered traditional in many families. Leaving it in connects to nostalgic Thanksgiving and Christmas memories for many.
Convenience
Not removing the neck ahead of time means one less piece to handle, prep and keep track of. It eliminates an extra step.
While not absolutely necessary, these persuasive benefits help explain why many cooks firmly believe in keeping the neck inside. The consensus is that it simply results in a better-tasting bird.
Proper Handling and Safety Tips
While cooking a turkey neck-on has its advantages, proper safety steps are crucial to avoid any risks of undercooking. Here are some key guidelines:
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Always remove the giblets, leaving only the neck in the cavity.
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Thoroughly rinse the neck under cold water to remove any blood, juices or debris. Pat the outside of the turkey dry.
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Don’t stuff the neck cavity itself, as it may not reach thorough cooking temperatures. Limit stuffing to just the main body cavity.
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Truss the legs together with butcher’s twine so the neck doesn’t block heat from reaching the inner thigh meat.
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Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature of the thickest part of the neck reaches 165°F minimum.
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Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving and removing the cooked neck.
As long as these safe handling practices are followed, it is perfectly fine from a food safety standpoint to roast the turkey with the neck inside.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking a Turkey Neck-On
Here is a simple walkthrough of how to prep and cook a whole turkey with the neck left in:
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Thaw frozen turkey completely if needed. Remove giblets, leaving only the neck within the cavity.
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Wash the neck cavity thoroughly with cold water. Pat the outside of the turkey completely dry with paper towels.
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Generously season the inside cavity and outer skin with salt, pepper and any other desired seasonings. Gently rub the seasoning all over.
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Tie the drumsticks together over the neck cavity opening using butcher’s twine. Tuck the wing tips under.
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Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Add 1 cup water to the bottom of the pan to prevent drippings from burning.
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Roast the turkey according to recipe directions, checking temperature periodically until the thickest part of the breast and neck reach 165°F minimum.
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Let turkey rest about 30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to reabsorb. Carefully remove cooked neck.
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Make incredible turkey neck gravy, stock and enjoy your plump, juicy holiday centerpiece!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Turkey Neck-On
Here are answers to some common questions about leaving the neck inside:
Is it absolutely necessary to leave the neck in?
No – the turkey will cook up just fine with the neck removed. Leaving it in simply enhances flavor.
Can I prep and roast the neck separately?
Yes, you can clean, stuff, sear and roast the neck alongside the whole turkey if desired.
Should I baste or cover the neck while roasting?
Basting is not needed. Leave the neck uncovered for even browning and cooking.
Can I remove the neck mid-cooking if needed?
It’s best not to remove the neck once roasting begins if possible, as it can disrupt cooking.
How do I know when the neck is fully cooked?
Use a meat thermometer to verify the thickest part of the neck reaches 165°F minimum.
Is roasted neck meat edible or just for stock?
Absolutely! The tender, flavorful meat can be sliced and eaten once fully cooked.
Tips for Cooking a Frozen Turkey Neck-On
For frozen turkeys, the neck may be sealed inside the cavity. Once sufficiently thawed during roasting, try using turkey tongs to carefully remove the neck when possible. Then continue cooking the turkey until the minimum safe internal temperature is reached in both the main cavity and the neck. Monitor temperatures closely.
What to Do With Leftover Cooked Turkey Neck
After roasting your holiday bird, put the cooked turkey neck to delicious use by:
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Making nutritious turkey noodle soup stock
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Shredding meat for turkey hash or shepherd’s pie
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Chopping into chunks for turkey & dumplings
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Adding to gravy, dressing/stuffing or casseroles
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Feeding small pieces to pets as a special treat
With proper thawing, handling and cooking, leaving the neck inside makes for a more succulent, flavorful holiday turkey the whole family will devour. Follow safe practices and enjoy this time-honored tradition for enhanced taste and easier gravy-making.
17 Answers
Are they tucked inside the cavity? Or are they still attached? In the former case, it’s not like anyone will die if you don’t remove them, it’s just easier to stuff the turk if the cavity is empty. Please tell me the bird has already been cleaned and dressed (like from the supermarket, not fresh and still having feet and feathers from the turkey farm…)
Remove them from inside the bird because many times they are tucked into a paper or some other bag you don’t want cooked up with the rest of the goodness. Once the giblets are freed then they can cook safely back inside the bird.
they are in a paper bag. jus grab it and make gravy broth with ‘em.
Even if it’s not necessary, you would want to remove them to wash/rinse the turkey inside and out. The best thing to do is to remove them since they are usually sealed in paper (and wash/rinse them too). You could cook them with the turkey but it’s best to cook them separately to use for broth or gravy. Is this your first time cooking a turkey?
Best to remove them, so you can enjoy them as well. (Bite me ewww people)
Remove them. Like @AmWiser said, you have to wash the bird inside and out before seasoning it for baking.
My sister once made a turkey, and when removing the dressing, found the neck and giblets still inside. It had no effect on the taste of the turkey.
The neck and giblets themselves are not a problem. If they are packaged in something that can ruin a turkey if you don’t take them out first. Depending on the brand the giblets could be packaged in waxed paper, and while the wax won’t kill you if you eat it, it can affect the taste.
Just be glad most processors have quit using plastic bags for the giblets.
My second time. I don’t have a whole lot of experience baking whole turkeys. And yes, it is a pre packaged store bought turkey. Thanks for your replies!
Use them to make broth and giblets for gravy. Pop them in a small pot with onion, carrot, and celery and a few herbs, and cook for an hour or so. Then you take the meat off the neck and throw that in with the other parts and chop them up into little tiny pieces and use that to extend your gravy.
Just be glad you don’t have to remove all the innards yourself. That was S.O.P. in the olden days (like the 40’s and 50’s.) You may have to tweeze out a stray feather or two, but then, on occasion, it was the whole bird full of feathers.
I’ve heard that they may not cook properly inside the turkey, eliminating any potential contamination hazards. I think this issue has been brought up with stuffing, as well. I could be wrong, though. That happens sometimes.
My mom took them out and cooked them. She added them and the liquid they were cooked in to the stuffing mix, being careful not to get any bones from the neck in the stuffing.
@ANef_is_Enuf is right. Take them out, follow @AmWiser ‘s advice and that of others here. I can tell you from personal experience that it’s really gross to be cutting up a cooked turkey and find paper packages of giblets inside. (No I didn’t cook the turkey my mother-in-law did. She actually stuffed it with that stuff inside.) I was gagging and really couldn’t eat anything she cooked after I found that mess. You cannot properly wash or season the turkey unless you take those parts out.
How to Boil Turkey Neck & Giblets: Cooking with Kimberly
FAQ
Do you have to remove the neck before cooking a turkey?
You can cook it without any problems – neck is just another part of the turkey, after all – but surely you can figure out how to remove it.
Can you cook a turkey with the neck and giblets still inside?
When preparing your turkey, do not throw out the turkey neck & gizzards(heart, liver and any other little bits your found tucked inside the bird!These parts will help you make a lovely bone broth to create the BEST GRAVY for your meal.
Can the neck stay in the turkey?
The neck will be in the cavity, and the giblets will be in a small big in either the neck cavity in the front of the bird or inside cavity, depending on the size of the bird. If you do not want them, you can simply remove the bag and neck from the cavity and discard them.
Can you cook the neck with turkey?
The necks can be boiled, slow-cooked, or braised to make tender and flavorful dishes. These dark meat parts are also often used to make stocks, broths, and gravies because they contain a lot of collagen, which adds richness and depth of flavor to these liquids. Make our Turkey Bone Broth using the necks.
Is it safe to cook a Turkey with its neck inside?
It is considered safe to cook a turkey with its neck attached as long as proper caution is used and instructions are followed carefully. If you find yourself unable to remove the neck from a whole turkey, there are several techniques that can help.
How to cook a Turkey with a neck inside?
To safely cook a turkey with the neck inside, proper handling is crucial: Remove giblets – Always remove the giblets prior to cooking. Only the neck should remain. Clean thoroughly – Rinse the neck well under cold water to remove any blood, juices or debris. Don’t stuff – Avoid stuffing the neck cavity, as it may not cook thoroughly enough.
Can you cook a Turkey with its neck in the turkey?
According to the National Turkey Federation, cooking a turkey with its neck or giblets inside the turkey can result in scalding water that may cause the bag to burst and release steam and hot water. So, when cooking a turkey, make sure to remove those parts beforehand.
Should you remove a turkey neck while cooking?
It is not recommended to remove the neck while the turkey is cooking. This can lead to unsafe temperatures and loss of flavorful juices. Leave the neck in place during the entire roasting time for the best texture, taste, and food safety. Once roasted, follow these tips for carving and serving your flavorful neck:
What happens when a turkey neck is cooked?
Enhanced flavor – As the neck cooks, it releases collagen, fat, and juices that baste the turkey from within. This keeps the meat moist and adds rich flavor. Better gravy – The cooked neck can be used to make an incredible turkey gravy. It adds body and concentrated turkey flavor.
Does Turkey Neck add flavor when cooked?
The neck absolutely adds flavor when cooked inside the turkey! As the neck simmers, it releases collagen, fat, and turkey juices, adding richness and depth to the drippings. Many cooks use the flavorful broth in the pan to make a stellar gravy or sauce. The cooked neck meat also makes an excellent addition to soups, stocks, and sandwiches.