Smoked turkey tails are so indulgent they’re like the pork belly of the bird. Here’s everything you know about how to smoke them.
Smoked turkey tails are an underrated and flavorful cut of meat that can add richness and depth to soups, stews, beans, greens, and more. But to get the most out of these boney yet succulent morsels, proper boiling technique is a must. Undercook them and you’ll be chewing for hours. Boil them too long and they’ll be dry and stringy. So how long should you boil smoked turkey tails? Let’s discuss the ideal boiling times and techniques for unlocking the full potential of this soulful smoked delicacy.
The Magic Boiling Time for Smoked Turkey Tails is 1-1.5 Hours
Through testing and research, I’ve found the ideal boiling time for smoked turkey tails to be 1-1.5 hours. This gives the collagen in the meat ample time to break down while avoiding overcooking. Smoked turkey tails cooked for this duration will be juicy, succulent and infused with smoky flavor. The meat should easily pull away from the bone and bones should wiggle free with little resistance when prodded with a fork.
Step-by-Step Guide for Boiling Smoked Turkey Tails
Follow these simple steps for boiled smoked turkey tails with meat so tender it melts in your mouth:
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Rinse – Rinse thawed smoked turkey tails under cool running water to remove any debris Pat dry with paper towels,
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Parboil – Place tails in a pot and cover with water by 2-3 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to a simmer. Parboil for 10 minutes to help remove excess salt and impurities.
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Drain and Rinse – Drain tails and rinse under cool water. Discard parboiling liquid.
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Return to Pot – Place tails back in pot and cover with fresh water by 2-3 inches.
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Flavor the Liquid – Add any desired spices, herbs, aromatics or acid at this point to infuse flavor. Ideas include garlic, onion, bay leaves, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce etc.
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Simmer – Bring liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat Then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1-15 hours.
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Check Doneness – After 1 hour, check doneness by prodding a tail with a fork. Meat should be very tender and easy to pull off the bone. If not tender enough, continue simmering and checking every 15 minutes until tails reach desired tenderness.
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Remove from Heat – Once boiled to perfect tenderness, remove pot from heat. Use tongs to transfer tails to a plate. Reserve cooking liquid for soups or gravy if desired.
Handy Tips for Delicious Boiled Smoked Turkey Tails
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For fuller smoky flavor, try using smoked turkey legs or necks instead of or in addition to tails. The bones contribute lots of smoky richness.
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Serve boiled tails southern style over stewed collard greens, black eyed peas or rice and beans. The tender meat and smoky cooking liquid brings incredible flavor.
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For convenience, utilize pre-cleaned, pre-cut collard greens instead of spending hours cleaning fresh greens. Bagged greens are a tasty time-saver.
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Freeze leftover boiled turkey tail meat in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Use frozen meat later in soups, stews and casseroles.
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For a spicy kick, drizzle boiled tails with your favorite hot sauce. The smoky meat stands up beautifully to heat.
So for succulent smoked turkey tails with meat so tender it falls right off the bone, boil them low and slow for 1-1.5 hours. It’s a simple boiling technique that unlocks incredible texture and flavor in this underappreciated cut of meat. Now grab some tails and get boiling! A pot of soulful, smoky deliciousness awaits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does turkey tail take to boil?
Rinse the smoked turkey tails and place them in large pot with just enough water to cover the turkey tails. Place the lid on the pot and cook on medium heat until the turkey tails are tender, about 35 minutes.
Do you boil smoked turkey?
Place the smoked turkey in a large stock pot with the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer and allow the meat to simmer until it falls off the bone, about 1 1/2- 2 hours.
How long do I cook an already smoked turkey?
Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil. Place the trayed smoked turkey in the middle of a 350° F oven and cook for about 1.5 – 2 hours (or until a meat thermometer reaches about 140° F in the center of the breast). Remove the turkey and carve for serving.
Do you have to clean smoked turkey tails?
If you see any feather shafts, use a paper towel to grip them. Then pull them out and discard them. Rinse the turkey tails under cool water and pat them dry.
Cookin with Cowboy Charcoal
These turkey tails can be smoked up on any type of grill, but for today’s recipe, I used my PK Grill with Cowboy Charcoal hardwood briquets.
You want to set your grill up with an indirect heat zone to allow the tails to smoke slowly.
I find the briquettes add plenty of smoke flavor, but if you want you can also add 1-2 wood chunks. Cherry, pecan and oak all would work great.
Disclosure: I am a paid ambassador for Cowboy Charcoal.
The temperature for smoking turkey tails
When setting up your grill, shoot for a grill temperature of 250-275F degrees with an indirect zone.
At this temperature, the turkey tails will take about 2 1/2 hours to smoke.
If your temperature is lower (say around 225F degrees), they’ll take longer and the skin may not get as crispy.
You can speed up the process by raising the temp to 300F, but I haven’t tried cooking them hotter than that, because we’re smoking them, not grilling them.
