How Long Does It Take to Cook Turkey Wings to Perfection?

Turkey wings are an underrated and delicious part of the bird that is often overlooked. With the right cooking time and technique, turkey wings can become fall-off-the-bone tender with crispy skin. But how long does it actually take to cook turkey wings in the oven to get that perfect tender and crispy outcome? Read on for everything you need to know about achieving turkey wing perfection.

What Are Turkey Wings?

Turkey wings come from the wing sections of a whole turkey. They consist of segments of bone, cartilage, skin and meat. Turkey wings contain less meat than other cuts like the turkey breast or thighs. But what they lack in quantity, they make up for in rich dark meat flavor.

The wings are often broken down into three sections – the drumette, the mid section, and the wingtip. The drumette looks like a mini drumstick. This is the meatiest part of the wing. The mid section is fairly bony but has some great morsels of meat. The wingtips are mostly cartilage and skin and are often discarded.

When buying turkey wings, you can find them whole or already sectioned into drumettes and mid joints. If working with whole wings, you’ll want to separate them yourself before cooking.

Why Cook Turkey Wings?

There are several excellent reasons to cook up some turkey wings

• They are budget-friendly and cost a fraction of what a whole turkey costs per pound

• Turkey wings contain juicy, flavorful dark meat that gets beautifully crisp skin when cooked right.

• They are easy to cook in the oven, on the grill, or in the air fryer with minimal preparation needed.

• Turkey wings make for finger-licking good eating and are perfect for game day snacking or as part of a soul food feast.

• The bones and cartilage in wings release gelatin when cooked slowly, adding body and richness to sauces and gravies.

• Leftover turkey wings can be used to make amazing soups, stews, and stock.

How Long to Cook Turkey Wings in the Oven

Cooking time can vary a bit depending on the size and shape of your wings. Larger, meatier drumette sections will take a little longer than smaller mid joints or wingtips. But in general, turkey wings take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes in the oven.

Here are more specifics on technique and timing:

• Prep the wings: Rinse wings and pat dry. Separate whole wings at the joints. Season wings with salt, pepper, and whatever herbs or spices you like.

• Raise to room temp: Let seasoned wings sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. Starting with colder wings straight from the fridge will increase the cooking time.

• Cook at 400°F: Place wings on a sheet pan lined with foil or parchment. Bake at 400°F, flipping wings halfway through cooking.

• Cook for 60-75 minutes: Whole wings and drumettes will take about 60-75 minutes to become tender and browned. Smaller mid wing sections may only need 50-60 minutes.

• Check for doneness: Turkey wings are safely cooked when they register 165°F at the thickest part. If unsure, cut into a wing to check that the meat is no longer pink.

• Broil for crisping: In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, switch the oven to broil to crispy up and brown the skins. Watch closely to avoid burning.

Tips for Extra Tender and Crispy Turkey Wings

Here are some extra techniques for taking your turkey wings to the next level:

• Brine the wings before cooking for added moisture and flavor. A simple brine of salt, sugar, and aromatics works wonders.

• Cook wings in a baking dish rather than a sheet pan so they braise and steam in their own juices for tenderness.

• Baste wings with pan drippings during cooking for even more moisture and flavor.

• Coat wings in baking powder before seasoning to get uber crispy skin.

• Finish wings under the broiler for 5-10 minutes until skin is browned and crisp.

• Toss cooked wings in a spicy or sticky sauce for finger-licking results.

How to Tell When Turkey Wings Are Done

It can be tricky to tell when turkey wings are fully cooked through since they contain small pieces of meat attached to bone and cartilage. Here are some surefire ways to test for doneness:

• Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Turkey is safely cooked at 165°F.

• Cut into the thickest part of a wing. Meat should not be pink. Juices should run clear.

• The skin will be browned and feel crispy when fully cooked.

• The meat should start pulling away from the bones when completely done.

• Pierce a wing with a fork or knife tip. It should slide in and out without resistance when fully cooked and tender.

If the wings seem underdone, simply pop them back into the hot oven for 5-10 minutes until cooked through. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Alternative Cooking Methods for Turkey Wings

While the oven is ideal for cooking up a big batch, turkey wings can be prepared using several different cooking methods:

• Grill wings over indirect heat with the lid closed until done. This adds great smoky flavor.

• Air fry wings at 400°F, flipping occasionally, until browned and crispy. Misting with oil helps.

• Slow cook wings in the crockpot with sauce or gravy for fall-off-the-bone wings.

• Deep fry wings for a crispy crust. Fry at 350-375°F for 10-14 minutes.

• Stovetop braise wings in sauce, stock or gravy until super tender.

Serving Ideas for Delicious Turkey Wings

Some of my favorite ways to serve up turkey wings include:

• Buffalo wings style with blue cheese dressing

• Tossed in sticky Asian sauces like hoisin or teriyaki

• Smothered in gravy with mashed potatoes

• Served over rice with sautéed veggies

• Added to soups, stews, chili or pasta dishes

• Stuffed into sandwiches and wraps

• Piled high on a platter for game day

• Savored solo with just some hot sauce for dipping

However you choose to cook and serve them, turkey wings are sure to be a delicious addition to your dinner table. Just allow 1-1.5 hours of cooking time for tender, fall-off-the-bone results.