Have you ever removed the neck and giblets from a turkey and wondered what in the world to do with them? Most often they get thrown away.
My mom, who could never let anything go to waste, always used the turkey neck and giblets to make a quick pot of broth to use for making gravy or moistening stuffing. And, thats what I do. This broth is so much more flavorful than anything that comes out of a can or box. You can simmer a pot of it while the turkey is in the oven, and it will be ready to use long before the turkey is finished cooking.
I always think of this broth as being virtually free, because I use turkey parts that would otherwise be discarded. And, I normally have leftover herbs, onions, and celery, since those often come in larger quantities than I need for my other recipes for the meal.
Turkey necks are an underappreciated gem that most of us toss in the trash after Thanksgiving. But these flavorful, collagen-rich cuts have so much potential beyond basic stock. With a little creativity, the humble turkey neck can transform into appetizers, main dishes, sides, soups and more.
In this article, I’ll share 15 delicious ways to use up turkey necks so you get the most out of your holiday bird. You’ll never look at this unassuming leftover the same way again!
Make Rich, Flavorful Turkey Broth
One of the best uses for turkey necks is to make homemade broth. Simmering the neck bones releases their concentrated, meaty flavor into the water. Strain out the solids, and you’re left with an incredible turkey broth perfect for gravies, soups, stews and more.
It’s easy, economical and lets you use up the entire bird For the best turkey broth, simmer the neck for 1-2 hours with vegetables like onion, carrots and celery You can freeze any extra in batches to pull out for future recipes.
Transform Broth into Velvety Turkey Gravy
Once your turkey neck broth is ready, turn it into the most amazing gravy! Simply whisk in some flour to thicken, then simmer until reduced slightly The natural gelatin from the turkey neck gives the gravy incredible body without needing cornstarch or other thickeners.
Drizzle this luxuriously smooth turkey gravy over Thanksgiving leftovers, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more. Taste-testers won’t believe you didn’t use a packet or jar!
Braise for Tender, Shredded Turkey
For fall-off-the-bone turkey, braise the neck low and slow in broth or wine until extremely tender. Shred or chop the meat, then use it to top salads, fold into tacos, stir into soups or blend into casseroles.
The long braising melts away cartilage for succulent texture that takes on any flavor. Mix the shredded turkey with salsa verde for Mexican-style tacos, add barbecue sauce for sliders, or combine it with enchilada sauce for a tasty filling.
Make Delicious Turkey Neck Soup
Turkey necks add incredible flavor to vegetable soups and chilis. For an easy turkey noodle soup, simmer the neck to make broth, remove meat then add egg noodles, vegetables and seasonings.
Or try turkey neck potato soup – cook diced potatoes in the broth until tender before shredding in the turkey meat. Garnish with parsley or green onions for a comforting meal in a bowl.
Craft a Hearty Turkey Neck & Bean Stew
Simmer turkey necks with beans and veggies for a protein-packed stew. Try it with white beans, chickpeas or lentils. As the neck softens, the collagen melts into the broth creating a mouthwatering savory base.
Shred the tender meat back into the stew before serving. The rich flavors pair perfectly with rice, crusty bread or a dollop of yogurt. It makes great leftovers too!
Fry Up Crispy, Salty Turkey Neck Confit
Confit refers to meat cooked and stored in fat, adding unbelievable flavor. Make turkey neck confit by braising the neck until fall-off-the-bone tender in oil, broth or turkey fat.
Shred the meat and let cool in the liquid. Then sauté bits in a hot pan until browned and crispy. Fry up confit turkey neck to top soups, salads and grain bowls or enjoy as a salty, fatty snack.
Whip Up Delicious Turkey Neck Dumpling Soup
For the perfect cold weather soup, dice up cooked turkey neck meat and add it to your broth along with vegetables. Make easy dough dumplings and drop them into the simmering soup to cook.
The dumplings soak up all the rich flavors as they cook. Feel free to add herbs, ginger or other seasonings to the broth. It’s a comforting, thrifty soup that makes great use of leftover turkey.
Create Hearty Turkey Neck Chili
Your turkey neck can star in a batch of hearty turkey chili. Cook beans like pinto, kidney or black beans until tender before adding shredded turkey meat, tomatoes, onions, chili powder and other spices.
Let the chili simmer until the flavors combine and the broth thickens. Top with shredded cheese, avocado or crushed tortilla chips. The smoky, meaty turkey neck gives so much more flavor than ground turkey or chicken.
Craft Savory Turkey Neck Pot Pie
For the ultimate comfort food, dice turkey neck meat and mix it with cooked veggies like peas, carrots and pearl onions. Make a simple biscuit dough crust and top the filling before baking until golden brown.
The vegetables and turkey simmered in broth make an incredible creamy filling. The biscuits get perfectly moist from the gravy for the ultimate turkey pot pie experience.
Build Delicious Turkey Neck Tacos
Shredded, braised turkey neck meat is endlessly versatile for tacos. For fajita-style tacos, sauté it with sliced peppers and onions. For a Mexican flair, season it with salsa verde or mole sauce. For a Southern twist, add smoky barbecue sauce.
Pile the turkey neck taco filling into soft corn tortillas or crunchy taco shells. Let guests top with all the fixings like guacamole, pico de gallo and lime wedges for a fun, personalized meal.
Make Savory Slow Cooker Turkey Neck Soup
Let your slow cooker shine with this easy turkey neck soup. Add vegetables, broth, rice or pasta and seasoning to the slow cooker. Top with the turkey neck, cover and cook 7-8 hours on low.
Remove the neck, shred or chop the tender meat, then mix it back into the soup. The long cooking coaxes every ounce of flavor out of the neck for a nourishing, minimal-effort soup.
Whip Up Tasty Turkey Neck Hash
Transform your turkey neck into a delicious hearty breakfast hash. Sauté diced potatoes and vegetables like spinach, peppers or zucchini. Then mix in shredded turkey neck meat and cook until lightly browned.
Season with spices like paprika, cumin or smoked paprika. Top the flavorful turkey hash with a fried egg for extra richness. It’s a satisfying, protein-packed start to the day.
Create a Turkey Neck Appetizer Board
Impress guests with a creative turkey neck appetizer spread. Make confit, meatballs, sliders, wraps and more. Arrange bite-sized portions on a board with crackers, pickles, mustard, jam and cheeses.
Your guests will love sampling all the different turkey neck preparations and flavors. It’s a great way to use up leftovers and a fun, interactive meal before the main course.
Make Savory Stuffed Turkey Necks
Before cooking, carefully debone a raw turkey neck while leaving the skin intact. Fill the pocket with cornbread dressing, sausage stuffing or your favorite filling. Sew it up, then braise or simmer until cooked through and heated through.
Sliced stuffed turkey necks make an impressive appetizer or addition to your leftovers buffet. The surprise stuffing inside adds fun texture and flavor contrast.
Turn into Hearty Slow Cooker Turkey Soup
Let your slow cooker work its magic on turkey necks for a hearty, fuss-free soup. Combine turkey necks, vegetables, broth, rice or barley and seasonings. Cook 8-10 hours on low.
Remove neck bones, shred meat, then mix back into soup. The long cooking extracts every bit of flavor and collagen from the necks for a nourishing, crave-worthy soup.
Transform into Savory Turkey Neck Hash
For a delicious anytime meal, dice up turkey neck meat and sauté with potatoes, onions, peppers or other veggies. Cook until lightly browned and crispy. Season with herbs and spices.
Top the flavorful turkey-studded hash with a fried egg for extra richness. It’s an easy, satisfying way to breathe new life into leftover turkey neck.
Summary
As you can see, turkey necks have so much untapped potential beyond basic stock. With a little creativity, you can give this unassuming leftover a delicious second life in appetizers, main dishes, soups and more.
Next Thanksgiving, don’t discard the neck – see it as an opportunity to create rich, comforting dishes your family will love. Try braising, shredding, frying, stewing and more for melt-in-your-mouth, budget-friendly meals all season long.
While the turkey cooks, make this for use in gravy, stuffing, or soup.
- neck & giblets from 1 turkey
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1-2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 sprig fresh sage
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1-2 celery stocks, cut in 2″ chunks
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns (optional)
- 4 cups (32 oz) chicken broth or water (or a combination of the two)
Directions Add all ingredients to a 1-1/2 to 2 quart saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and simmer on low heat for at least 1 hour. Pour through a mesh metal strainer to remove solids. Broth may be combined with turkey pan drippings to make gravy. Or, use the broth to moisten stuffing. It also may be used in soup. Broth may be stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for several months.
Have you ever removed the neck and giblets from a turkey and wondered what in the world to do with them? Most often they get thrown away.
My mom, who could never let anything go to waste, always used the turkey neck and giblets to make a quick pot of broth to use for making gravy or moistening stuffing. And, thats what I do. This broth is so much more flavorful than anything that comes out of a can or box. You can simmer a pot of it while the turkey is in the oven, and it will be ready to use long before the turkey is finished cooking.
- For a detailed photo tutorial on how to roast a turkey, check out my post: Step-By-Step Guide To The Best Roast Turkey
I always think of this broth as being virtually free, because I use turkey parts that would otherwise be discarded. And, I normally have leftover herbs, onions, and celery, since those often come in larger quantities than I need for my other recipes for the meal.
How to Boil Turkey Neck & Giblets: Cooking with Kimberly
FAQ
What should I do with my turkey neck?
Make Stock or Broth: The neck is great for adding flavor to homemade turkey stock. Simply simmer it with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, along with herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. This stock can be used for gravy or soups.
Should I save the turkey neck?
Turkey Necks – Save the necks and giblets that are often packed in the cavity of the turkey! Most grocers will sell turkey necks separately, or you can order them in advance. Necks should be thawed before browning. Vegetables – Much like making turkey broth or stock, vegetables add flavor.
What is turkey neck meat good for?
Turkey neck is mainly used in cooking, mainly to make broth or gravy, as it adds a lot of flavors to these preparations. It is rare to serve the neck by itself.
Is it possible to get rid of turkey neck?
Your doctor may recommend a highly targeted procedure to reduce neck fat, such as: Kybella – This injectable is formulated to eliminate fat specifically under the chin. It uses deoxycholic acid to break down fat cells, so your body can remove them for long-term, natural-looking improvement.
What can I do if I have a turkey neck?
Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist. Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck. “The muscles become tight and enlarged,” Dr. Newman explains.
How do you cook a turkey neck?
Cut the neck and backbone up and add them to a large saucepan along with the remaining giblets. Add the chicken or turkey broth along with the chopped vegetables and a few sprigs of herbs. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes. Strain the stock mixture and discard the solids.
Is it possible to tighten a turkey neck?
Yes, it’s more than possible to tighten sagging neck skin that causes the dreaded turkey neck. But the time it takes to get rid of a turkey neck depends on age, skin elasticity, and body composition. Younger people will have stronger skin elasticity and are less likely to have UV damage, making it easier to tighten loose neck skin.