Are Turkey Necks Healthy? A Nutritious Addition to Your Diet

Unless you’re using the turkey neck in a tasty gravy, stock, or soup, many of us can’t think of anywhere else to put them besides the trash. It might seem wasteful, but if giblets aren’t your specialty, what’s the point in keeping them?

Well, when you have a dog in the house, you may not have to scrap your scraps just yet. Turkey necks can be offered to your dog. However, feeding your dog bones is controversial and does come with some risks you should be aware of.

If you do not need the giblets after unpacking your Thanksgiving bird, we’ll discuss how and why you can give your dog turkey necks to eat, and the risks to help you decide whether to do this or not.

Turkey necks are an underrated and overlooked part of the turkey that actually offer a variety of health benefits Although not the most popular or conventional food, turkey necks provide a powerhouse of nutrients and can be a tasty addition to many dishes. In this article, we’ll dive into why turkey necks deserve a place on your plate

An Overview of Turkey Necks

Turkey necks come from the long, tube-shaped neck of a turkey. They consist of about equal parts bone and meat. The meat on turkey necks comes from many small muscles, so when cooked properly, it becomes very tender and falls right off the bone.

Turkey necks have a deep, rich flavor similar to other bony cuts like oxtail, short ribs, and shanks The meat shreds easily after cooking, making turkey necks extremely versatile to use in soups, stews, beans, grits, or served on the bone with sauce. Simmering turkey necks also produces a nutritious bone broth overflowing with flavor

The Impressive Nutritional Profile of Turkey Necks

Turkey necks offer an array of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that provide health benefits:

High-Quality Protein: Turkey necks contain about 15-20 grams of protein per serving. The amino acids in protein support muscle growth and repair, improve immunity, help balance hormones, and keep you feeling full.
Important Vitamins Turkey necks provide B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 These support energy levels, brain function, healthy blood cells, DNA production, and nervous system health
Key Minerals: Minerals in turkey necks include iron, zinc, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, and calcium. These minerals strengthen immunity, bones, muscles, thyroid function, and antioxidant status in the body.
Collagen: Turkey necks are especially rich in collagen, which benefits joint health, skin elasticity, injury recovery, and gut health when consumed.
Healthy Fats: Turkey necks contain omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats that are good for heart health, inflammation levels, and cholesterol levels.

Potential Health Benefits of Consuming Turkey Necks

Regularly eating turkey necks may offer these science-backed benefits:

Strengthened muscles and bones: The protein, minerals, collagen, and other nutrients in turkey necks support muscle growth, bone density, and strength.
Healthy skin, hair, and nails: Collagen from turkey necks promotes skin elasticity, locks in moisture, and helps build strong nails and hair.
Improved joint health: Collagen improves cartilage health while minerals like calcium and magnesium support bone strength – both help prevent osteoarthritis.
Better digestion: The collagen in turkey necks can improve gut barrier function and health. The nutrients also regulate digestion.
Heart health: Turkey necks provide monounsaturated fats, omega-3s, protein, B vitamins, and minerals that support heart health.
Balanced hormones: Nutrients in turkey necks like protein, iron, selenium, zinc, and B vitamins help regulate thyroid and other hormone levels.
Increased immunity: Minerals like zinc, selenium, iron, and protein stimulate immune response and protect the body from pathogens.
Stable blood sugar: The protein and balanced nutrition in turkey necks help stabilize blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

Healthy and Delicious Ways to Cook Turkey Necks

Turkey necks are extremely versatile in cooking. Here are some healthy and tasty preparation ideas:

Roasted turkey necks: Roast seasoned turkey necks in the oven until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. Enjoy on their own or in turkey sandwiches.
Turkey neck soup: Simmer turkey necks and vegetables in broth for a nourishing, collagen-rich soup.
Smothered turkey necks: Braise turkey necks in a flavorful sauce until tender. Serve over grits or potatoes.
Turkey neck chili or stew: Add bite-sized turkey neck pieces to chili, stew, or bean dishes for extra richness.
Ground turkey neck: Use ground turkey neck meat instead of ground beef or turkey in dishes like meatballs, burgers, tacos, etc.
Turkey neck broth: Gently simmer turkey necks to make a mineral-rich, collagenous broth for cooking or sipping.

Tips for Safely Cooking and Eating Turkey Necks

To safely enjoy the benefits of turkey necks, follow these tips:

Thoroughly rinse necks and pat dry before cooking. Trim excess fat for easier cooking.
Cook turkey necks to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
Refrigerate cooked turkey necks within 2 hours and eat within 3-4 days for food safety.
Start with small portions if new to eating turkey necks, as they are quite rich.
Chew turkey necks thoroughly or cut meat off bone when serving kids or elders.

While overlooked by many, turkey necks provide a powerhouse of nutrition. They contain ample protein, important vitamins and minerals, collagen, and healthy fats. Turkey necks benefit muscle growth, heart health, skin health, digestion, immunity, and more. Their rich flavor also makes turkey necks a tasty, protein-packed addition to soups, stews, roasted dishes, and more. Considering their stellar nutritional profile and versatility in cooking, turkey necks are far more than just scrap meat. With proper handling, they can be a regular, nutritious addition to your diet.

are turkey necks healthy

Feed Turkey Necks Outside

Raw turkey necks can spread dangerous bacteria around whatever surface your dog eats on. You never want to feed your dog on the carpet, and if you let them dine on a hard floor, you’ll have to thoroughly clean and sanitize it.

To make life as easy as possible, let your dog munch on their turkey neck outside.

Choking and Constipation

The high bone content in turkey necks can be problematic for dogs that like to swallow their food fast with minimal chewing. The bones are soft and unlikely to crack and splinter when given raw, but if your dog gulps down an oversized bite, it can become a choking hazard. Bone also makes stool firmer and more difficult to pass, and your dog may even suffer constipation if they eat turkey necks frequently. If this becomes ongoing constipation can become severe and cause your dog to become unwell, and they usually need veterinary treatment to recover.

are turkey necks healthy

7 Health Benefits Of Eating Turkey

FAQ

Is it healthy to eat turkey neck?

Nutritional value of turkey necks Much like other poultry, turkey neck meat is also a good source of protein and micronutrients. Turkey delivers a range of several B vitamins, including B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin), which are crucial for energy metabolism and the health of the nervous system.

Is turkey neck high in cholesterol?

Promotes Heart Health Boiled turkey necks are low in cholesterol and rich in healthy fats, which can be beneficial for heart health.

Is turkey neck meat fatty?

1 neck, bone and skin removed of turkey neck (All classes, meat only, raw) contains 225 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 0% carbs, 45% fat, and 55% protein.

Is it better to feed dogs raw or cooked turkey necks?

Cooking the turkey necks thoroughly ensures that any potential pathogens, such as salmonella or E. coli, are destroyed, making the treat safe for your dog to enjoy. It is important to note that some dog owners prefer to feed their pets raw food, following a raw diet or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet.

Are turkey necks healthy?

Turkey necks provide a surprising array of nutrients. As with any poultry, they are a great source of lean protein. Additionally, turkey necks are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, B vitamins, and selenium.

Are turkey necks lean?

As with any poultry, they are a great source of lean protein. Additionally, turkey necks are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, B vitamins, and selenium. While they are not the leanest cuts of meat, moderation and balance are key in incorporating them into a healthy diet.

Are smothered turkey necks healthy?

Additionally, turkey necks are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, B vitamins, and selenium. While they are not the leanest cuts of meat, moderation and balance are key in incorporating them into a healthy diet. Smothered turkey necks pair perfectly with traditional soul food sides.

Should you eat turkey neck meat?

Neck meat is a flavorful choice if you want a touch more indulgence while still maintaining the nutritional value of turkey. According to NutritionValue.org, turkey necks share a similar nutrition profile to other dark meat from the bird.