How to cook boiled turkey necks on the stove so the meat is fork tender. Then enjoy as is or make into a delicious gravy for your holiday meal.
If you hate to waste food, you should try boiled turkey necks so you can get all the protein off your whole bird. It’s super flavorful dark meat packed with protein, calcium and nutrients. You can add it into gravy, soup or one of your favorite leftover turkey recipe.
As a busy home cook who loves making flavorful, budget-friendly meals, I often boil turkey necks on the stovetop to use in soups, gravies and other dishes But nailing the right cook time is crucial to getting the meat perfectly fall-off-the-bone tender. So how long should you boil turkey necks on the stove? Through trial and error, I’ve dialed in an ideal boiling time that transforms even the toughest turkey necks into succulently soft meat
In this article, I’ll share my tips for boiling turkey necks based on factors like size temperature and desired texture. You’ll also find plenty of flavor-building ideas to take your boiled turkey necks to new culinary heights. Before you know it you’ll be a pro at boiling turkey necks for soups, sandwiches and more!
Why Boil Turkey Necks?
First, let’s look at why boiling is a great cooking method for turkey necks:
- Releases flavors into cooking liquid for broths and gravies
- Yields very tender, fall-off-the-bone meat
- Allows seasoning and aromatics to penetrate deeply
- Requires minimal hands-on time once simmering
- Provides inexpensive source of protein and collagen
- Can be used in diverse recipes from soups to tacos
Key Factors That Affect Boiling Time
Several variables impact how long to boil turkey necks to perfect tenderness
Size – Whole necks or large pieces need longer boiling times than smaller, chopped necks.
Quantity – The more necks in the pot, the longer it takes for the water to return to a boil.
Cookware – Wide pots boil faster than tall, narrow ones. Larger pots hold heat better.
Temperature – Simmering at a gentle boil tenderizes meat without overcooking.
Altitude – Higher altitudes require longer boiling times due to lower boiling point.
Additions – Aromatic vegetables and acidic ingredients lengthen cooking time.
General Guideline for Stovetop Boil Time
For 1-2 average-sized whole turkey necks, a good starting point is:
- At sea level, boil 60-90 minutes
- At 3000 feet elevation, boil 75-105 minutes
- Above 5000 feet, boil 90-120 minutes
Adjust as needed based on quantity, size of necks and desired texture. Let’s look at more boiling tips.
Handy Tips for Boiling Turkey Necks to Perfection
Follow these useful tips for fork-tender boiled turkey necks every time:
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Place necks in cold water then slowly bring to a gentle simmer. This allows flavors to develop gradually.
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Skim foam and fat from the surface periodically for clearer broth.
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Add aromatics like onions, carrots, celery and garlic during the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking.
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Use a wide, shallow pot to maintain a steady simmer and cook necks evenly.
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Check doneness after minimum cook time by piercing meat with a fork. It should be very tender.
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Let necks cool in broth for juicier meat. Broth absorbs back into meat as it rests.
Flavor-Building Ideas and Additions
One benefit of boiling is it allows you to add lots of flavor. Try these ideas:
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Season water with Cajun seasoning blends, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and hot sauce.
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Use chicken or turkey broth instead of water for more savory flavor.
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Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to help tenderize meat.
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Toss in a halved onion, celery ribs and crushed garlic cloves during the last 30 minutes.
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For heat, add sliced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
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Finish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or green onion right before serving.
Tips for Using Boiled Turkey Necks
Boiled turkey necks are extremely versatile. Here are just a few ideas:
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Shred or chop meat and use in soups, chili, tacos, casseroles or sandwiches.
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Save cooking broth for gravies, rice, braising vegetables or as a savory soup base.
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Pick remaining meat off bones once cooled and use in chicken salads or snacks.
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Gently reheat necks in broth and cooking juices for added moisture and flavor.
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Sauté bite-sized pieces in oil and seasonings for delicious hash.
Testing Doneness of Boiled Turkey Necks
After the minimum boiling time, test doneness by prodding meat with a fork. It should slide in easily and the meat should practically fall off the bone. If not sufficiently tender, continue simmering another 15-30 minutes until fork-tender.
Visual cues to look for include:
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Meat pulls cleanly away from bones
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Loosening of joints in neck vertebrae
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Skin becomes opaque and shrinks from bones
For perfect boiled turkey necks, allow at least one hour of gentle simmering, adjusting time as needed based on quantity and size. Add aromatics near the end and use flavorful broth for maximum taste. Then enjoy boiled turkey necks in your favorite recipes from hearty soups to delicious sandwiches. With the right techniques, boiling turkey necks is a budget-friendly way to add rich, meaty flavor to meals.
Instant Pot Turkey Necks
If you wanted to do this same thing in your pressure cooker you could. It would of course be much faster and you would get the same outcome. For those instructions follow Instant Pot necks recipe. Works the same for chicken or this bird just the same.
- Rinse pieces and cut into 2-3 inch pieces or leave whole.
- Add into the pot.
- Chop vegetables like; celery stalks, carrots, onion quarters
- Add seasonings like bay leaves and pour in beef broth.
- Cover with a lid
- Boil for an hour on low heat.
- After an hour cooking time, the necks should be fully boiled
- If meat is tender enough to fall off the bone then it’s ready
- Remove the turkey necks from the broth and separate the meat from the neck bones.
- Transfer to a bowl to use as you wish. Inside soups or stews Brunswick style is great.
Boiling a Turkey Neck
Typically if you are cooking a whole or cut up raw turkey you will only get one of these. That will yield a bit of meat but if you want to make just this you can usually find some at your grocery store or local butcher shop.
They may be frozen, fresh, whole or cut into thirds in this case here. The timing doesn’t change much except that the more you add the lower the temp of the water will be so it would take longer.
It can be smoked, sauteed in a sauce on the stovetop, boiled like you see here or air fried. About half of it is meat and will fall off easily if submerged in boiling water for a little while. Then you can make gravy out of it, shred for sandwiches, or dice and add into your favorite casserole.
How to Boil Turkey Neck & Giblets: Cooking with Kimberly
FAQ
How long does it take to boil a turkey neck?
- Rinse turkey necks and add them to a pot with water
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer
- Cook until turkey necks are tender, which can take 2.5–4 hours
How long do you boil neck bones on the stove?
- Rinse the neck bones in lukewarm water to remove any debris.
- Place the neck bones in a large pot and cover with water.
- Add seasonings like bay leaves, celery, and onions.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
- Cook until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.
How long does it take to cook a turkey on the stove?
- Unstuffed turkey: Cook at 350°F for about 13 minutes per pound
- Stuffed turkey: Cook for about 15 minutes per pound
- 12–14 lb turkey: Cook for about 3 hours
How long do you boil turkey neck and gizzards?
- Put the neck and giblets in a saucepan.
- Cover with water by about 2 inches.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook until the meat is cooked through.