Learn how to cook turkey necks with just a few easy steps and a handful of ingredients. This budget-friendly dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
A dish of smothered, tender turkey necks is a hearty and comforting meal. Its made by simmering flavorful turkey necks in a homemade gravy or sauce until they become tender and full of flavor. The necks are usually seasoned with basic spices like salt, pepper, and paprika for extra flavor.
This flavorful turkey neck recipe is often served with side dishes like mashed potatoes or white rice, which soak up the tasty brown gravy. Delicious comfort food thats perfect for a cozy family meal.
For more rich and flavorful recipes for smothered meat, check out our Pork Cheeks or the Baked Country-Style Pork Ribs. Or try our delicious Stewed Turkey. [feast_advanced_jump_to]
Turkey necks are an underrated and often overlooked cut of meat that can be transformed into a delicious flavorful dish when cooked properly. Many people are unsure about how to prepare turkey necks and how long to cook them on the stovetop. With the right technique turkey necks cooked on the stovetop can become succulent, tender and full of rich flavor.
In this article, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how long to cook turkey necks on the stovetop to achieve the best results Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned pro, you’ll learn proper cooking times, methods and tips for ensuring your turkey necks turn out juicy and delicious every time
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Necks
Before jumping into stovetop cooking times, let’s look at why you should consider cooking up turkey necks in the first place:
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Packed with flavor – Turkey necks contain a high ratio of bone, skin, and connective tissue. When cooked low and slow, these components break down to infuse the meat with intense turkey flavor
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Budget-friendly – Necks are one of the most affordable turkey cuts. You get excellent bang for your buck with the amount of edible meat.
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Nutritious – Turkey necks provide protein, minerals like iron and zinc, and various B vitamins. The bones are also great for bone broth.
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Versatile – Cooked turkey necks can be used in soups, stews, sandwiches, gumbos – you name it! Shredded turkey neck meat takes well to many recipes.
Now that you know the benefits, let’s get into the ideal stovetop cooking times and methods for turkey necks.
Properly Preparing Turkey Necks
Before cooking, it’s important to properly prepare your turkey necks:
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Wash thoroughly – Rinse necks under cold water and pat dry. This removes any debris.
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Trim excess fat/skin – Use a knife to trim off any unappetizing large chunks of fat or skin. Leave some for flavor.
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Cut into segments – For even cooking, cut necks into 2-3 inch segments using a sharp knife or kitchen shears.
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Season generously – Rub necks all over with seasoning of your choice. Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and Cajun seasoning are great options.
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Marinate (optional) – For extra flavor, marinate necks for 30 mins to 2 hours in soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, barbecue sauce or other marinades.
Once prepped, it’s time to focus on stovetop cooking times.
Stovetop Cooking Times for Turkey Necks
The cooking time needed for tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks on the stovetop can vary based on a few factors:
Neck size – The larger the necks, the longer the cook time. Small necks may take 1 hour while jumbo necks can take over 2 hours.
Amount of necks – A large batch of necks will require longer cooking than a few necks.
Cooking liquid – Braising in broth vs. water impacts total cook time.
Cooking method – Simmering or boiling gives different results.
Cooking temperature – Higher heat decreases cook time.
Taking these factors into account, here are some general guidelines on stovetop cook times:
- Small necks – 45 mins to 1 hour
- Medium necks – 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours
- Large necks – 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours
- Jumbo necks – Over 2 hours
To ensure doneness, use a thermometer and cook until necks reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If undercooked, simmer longer in 15 minute increments until tender.
Now let’s look at steps for achieving perfect stovetop turkey necks.
Step-by-Step Stovetop Cooking Method
Follow these simple steps for flavorful, tender turkey necks:
1. Heat oil in a large pot/Dutch oven – Use 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, vegetable oil, etc. Heat oil over medium-high heat.
2. Brown the necks – Add necks and brown for 2-3 minutes per side. This seals in flavor.
3. Add cooking liquid – Pour in 2-3 cups broth, water, wine or other braising liquid. The liquid should come halfway up the necks.
4. Bring to a boil – Once liquid is boiling, reduce heat.
5. Simmer covered – Simmer necks on low, covered, for appropriate cook time based on size.
6. Uncover and reduce liquid (optional) – For thick, rich sauce, uncover and simmer 15 mins to reduce liquid.
7. Finish with seasonings – Taste and add any additional seasonings if desired.
And your turkey necks are ready to enjoy! For even easier cooking, a slow cooker can be used with similar cook times.
Tips for the Best Results
Use these tips for maximizing flavor and tenderness when cooking turkey necks:
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Brown the necks well to develop a caramelized, roasted flavor.
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Use lower heat for simmering – a gentle bubble is ideal.
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Turn necks halfway through.
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Add aromatics like onions, celery, garlic and herbs to the cooking liquid.
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Chop and add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, bell peppers during last 30-60 minutes.
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Use a flavorful braising liquid like chicken broth instead of plain water.
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Check doneness early and often until you learn ideal cook times.
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Allow cooked necks to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Your Succulent Turkey Necks
Once your turkey necks are fall-apart tender, use them in any recipe calling for cooked turkey or chicken. Here are some tasty ways to serve them:
- Over rice, mashed potatoes or pasta
- In tacos, burritos, sliders
- Chopped in salads, soups, chilis
- Shredded for sandwiches, wraps
- Diced in casseroles and pot pies
- Inside enchiladas or tamales
- On nachos or pizza
The possibilities are endless! Enjoy your tender, aromatic turkey necks in your favorite dishes.
Satisfy Your Cravings with Perfectly Cooked Turkey Necks
As you can see, with the proper technique, turkey necks can become succulent and packed with flavor when cooked on the stovetop. Follow the tips in this article to achieve tender necks every time.
The next time you’re seeking a budget-friendly cut of meat with rich taste, give turkey necks a try. In just 1-2 hours on the stovetop, you’ll have delicious meat for any recipe. With the simple methods above, you’ll gain confidence cooking this underrated turkey cut.
Different ways of cooking turkey necks
- Brown the seasoned, raw meat in the heated oil on Sauté mode. Remove the meat from the pot and sauté the sliced onions in another tablespoon of oil. Add broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze and release the browned bits.
- Return the necks to the pressure cooker, nestle them into the onions, close the pot, and pressure cook for 50 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes.
- For a slightly thicker sauce, remove the necks, switch to the sauté mode, and let the gravy simmer until slightly thickened.
Cook in the oven
- Brown the necks in the Dutch oven or another oven-safe skillet as instructed. Remove them from the pot and brown the sliced onions in another tablespoon of oil. Add the broth and place the necks in the pot in an even layer.
- Cover tightly and transfer to the preheated oven (320°F/160°C). Cook for 2 – 2 ½ hours until very tender, stirring halfway through.
- Reduce the gravy after cooking the necks in the oven or slow cooker: Remove the necks and keep them warm. If you used the slow cooker, transfer the onion gravy into a Dutch oven or a saucepan.
- If you’ve cooked the dish in the oven (in a Dutch oven), you can place this pot directly onto the stovetop.
- Allow the sauce to reduce on medium-high heat on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, until slightly thicker.
- Sear: Don’t skip this step. Searing in oil helps develop a rich, savory flavor before slow cooking.
- Low and slow: Cooking turkey necks at a low and consistent temperature for an extended period ensures they become tender and juicy.
- Check doneness by testing if the meat easily pulls apart with a fork. The internal temperature measured with an instant-read thermometer (the Amazon link opens in a new tab) should be 165°F/ 74°C.
Cook them slowly in a flavorful liquid, such as broth, for an extended period until they easily pull apart with a fork.
Yes, you can use other parts, like turkey wings or drumsticks, in a similar recipe to achieve tender and flavorful results.
Yes. Thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking for even and safe cooking. Let them come to room temperature before cooking.
We only use salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika; however, you can use more spices. You can include all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder or chopped garlic cloves, onion powder, Creole seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves. How about using our Rub for Chicken Wings or the Pork Seasoning?
Delicious Smothered Turkey Necks!
FAQ
Why are my turkey necks tough?
How long do you boil the turkey neck and gizzards?
Is boiled turkey necks good for you?
How long do cooked turkey necks last?
How long do you cook turkey necks on the stove?
turkey necks are a delicious and versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. When cooking turkey necks on the stove, it is important to cook them until they are cooked through, but not overcooked. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the necks, but a general rule of thumb is to cook them for 2-3 hours.
How do you cook a turkey neck?
Turkey necks are a delicious and economical cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. One popular method is to cook them on the stove. This method is simple and straightforward, and it produces juicy, flavorful turkey necks that are perfect for a quick and easy meal. 1. Rinse the turkey necks under cold water and pat dry. 2.
How long do you cook a turkey neck in a crock pot?
The liquid will help keep the turkey necks moist during cooking and contribute to the overall taste. Cover and simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the turkey necks to simmer gently for approximately 1-2 hours, or until they are tender and the meat easily falls off the bones.
How long do you boil a turkey neck?
Cover with a lid and cook for an hour on low heat. After an hour, the necks should be fully boiled, fall off the bone tender. Remove the turkey necks from the broth and separate the meat from the bones, transfer to a bowl to use as you wish.