Where to Buy Turkey Necks Near Me: A Guide to Finding and Using Turkey Necks

Turkey necks are an underrated and versatile meat that can add rich flavor to soups, stews, stocks and more. But where can you find turkey necks for sale if you want to cook with them? This guide covers everything you need to know about buying, preparing and cooking delicious turkey necks.

What Are Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are the neck portions of turkeys. They consist of bone, cartilage and dark turkey meat still attached. The meat has a deep, savory flavor from being a well-worked muscle on the bird.

Turkey necks make excellent additions to dishes like

• Hearty soups and stews
• Homemade turkey stock
• Simmered beans or greens
• Turkey neck gravy

Their high natural gelatin content enriches the broth or sauce. The meat also becomes very tender after prolonged braising.

Benefits of Cooking with Turkey Necks

There are several benefits to using turkey necks in your cooking

• Rich, bold flavor – The dark meat has a deep, turkey flavor
• Thickens broth – Natural collagen adds body to liquids
• Nutritious – Provides protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins
• Budget-friendly – An inexpensive way to add turkey flavor
• Traditional – Used in many cultural dishes like soul food

Overall, turkey necks are a very economical, tasty way to create hearty meals with turkey flavor.

Where to Buy Fresh Turkey Necks

Finding fresh turkey necks to cook with has gotten much easier. Here are some places to buy them:

• Grocery meat counters – Fresh poultry sections at stores like Kroger or Safeway
• Butcher shops – Local butchers and meat markets
• Ethnic grocers – Asian, Hispanic, Halal and African markets
• Farmers markets – Direct from local farms when in season
• Online – Order from online retailers and getdelivery

Turkey necks can be found year-round, but are easiest to source leading up to Thanksgiving. Buy them fresh or frozen.

National Grocery Chains That Sell Turkey Necks

All major grocery store chains carry turkey necks, often under private label brands. Look for them in the fresh poultry department.

• Kroger – Simple Truth Organic or Private Selection turkey necks
• Publix – GreenWise antibiotic-free turkey necks
• HEB – HEB Natural turkey necks
• Safeway – Open Nature turkey necks
• Winn-Dixie – Naturally Better turkey necks

Check your local ad circulars for turkey neck sales promotions around the holidays. Stock up when they go on special!

How to Prepare Turkey Necks for Cooking

Before cooking, fresh or thawed turkey necks need some preparation:

• Rinse – Rinse necks under cold water and pat dry
• Trim – Use kitchen shears to trim off any loose skin or fatty sections
• Season – Rub with salt, pepper, spices, garlic, etc.
• Chop/Halve – For stews, chop necks into smaller pieces

Also remember to thaw frozen necks 1-2 days in the refrigerator before using.

Best Ways to Cook Turkey Necks

There are several excellent cooking methods that work well for bringing out the flavor of turkey necks:

Slow simmering: Gentle, moist-heat cooking tenderizes the meat and extracts the rich flavor into the surrounding broth. Simmer turkey necks in:

• Soups like turkey noodle soup or minestrone
• Bean dishes like ham and beans or red beans and rice
• Savory braised greens like collard greens or mustard greens

Oven roasting: Roast seasoned turkey necks in the oven at 350°F until deeply browned and tender, 2-3 hours. Use the cooked necks and pan drippings to make a flavorful gravy.

Grilling: Grill turkey necks over indirect heat, covered, turning occasionally until the meat pulls back from the end of the bones, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Chop into chunks to add to baked beans.

Pressure cooking: Pressure cook chopped necks with seasonings and broth for 30-40 minutes until extremely tender. Use in shredded turkey dishes.

Slow cooker: Add turkey necks to your slow cooker instead of bones/carcass when making stock or broth. Cook on low 8-12 hours.

Flavorful Turkey Neck Recipes to Try

Take your cooking to the next level with these delicious recipes using turkey necks:

• Hearty Turkey Neck Vegetable Soup
• Smoky Turkey Neck Collard Greens
• Instant Pot Turkey Neck Black Beans
• Oven-Roasted Turkey Necks with Pan Gravy
• Pressure Cooker Shredded Turkey Neck Tacos
• Slow Cooker Sunday Stew with Turkey Necks

Don’t let this inexpensive, nutritious poultry part go to waste. Turkey necks add concentrated flavor and richness to any dish they’re used in!

Storing and Reheating Turkey Necks

Raw turkey necks will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator after purchasing. For longer storage, freeze turkey necks in airtight packaging for 2-3 months until ready to use.

Cooked turkey necks and dishes containing them should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey neck dishes within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.

To reheat, cover and microwave cooked turkey necks with a bit of liquid like broth, water or gravy until hot and steaming, 3-5 minutes. Or reheat thoroughly in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.

FAQs About Cooking with Turkey Necks

• Are turkey necks healthy? Yes, they provide lean protein, minerals like zinc and iron, and gelatin. Enjoy turkey necks in moderation as the dark meat is higher in fat than breast meat.

• How long do you boil turkey necks? For tender, pull-apart meat, simmer turkey necks for 1 1/2 – 2 hours until done. Times vary based on size.

• Can you eat turkey necks raw? No, always cook raw turkey necks thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. Consuming raw poultry can make you sick.

• Why are turkey necks so cheap? As an unpopular poultry cut, turkey necks have a very low demand compared to chicken breast or wings. Their low cost makes them a thrifty ingredient.

• How do you know when turkey necks are done? Turkey necks are fully cooked when the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bones. The cartilage will have melted into the broth.

Don’t let this underused turkey part go to waste! With proper cooking times, turkey necks become succulent, meaty additions to hearty dishes.

Turkey necks provide unbeatable flavor and nutrition to soups, stews, beans and more. Seek them out at your local grocery store or butcher shop for budget-friendly meals. With this guide, you’ll be cooking with turkey necks like a pro in no time!