How to Cook Juicy, Fall-Off-the-Bone Turkey Wings in a Crock Pot

Cooking turkey wings in a crock pot is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to prepare this tasty poultry dish. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have delicious, fall-off-the-bone turkey wings ready in just a few hours. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to make perfect crock pot turkey wings every time.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey Wings in a Crock Pot

There are several advantages to using a crock pot versus oven roasting or pan frying turkey wings:

• Requires minimal prep and cleanup. Simply throw the wings and a few seasonings into the crock pot in the morning and they’ll be ready by dinner.

• Yields incredibly moist, tender meat that practically falls off the bone The low, slow cooking breaks down the collagen

• Infuses the wings with lots of flavor as they braise for hours in their own juices and seasoning.

• Allows you to avoid having to monitor and flip the wings frequently like with oven roasting, Just set it and forget it!

• Frees up your oven for cooking side dishes or other components of your meal.

• Keeps your kitchen cooler than firing up the oven or stove Perfect for hot summer days!

Purchasing and Prepping the Wings

When buying wings for the crock pot, you’ll want to look for:

• Whole wings still attached at the drumette, wingette, and tip. This provides more juicy meat than just drumsticks alone.

• Around 2-3 pounds of wings to feed 3-4 people. Tailor this to your crowd size.

• Fresh, raw wings rather than pre-cooked. The slow cooking yields better texture.

A quick rinse and pat dry is all the prep needed. If desired, you can separate the drumette from the wingette for more even cooking. With the minimal prep work involved, cooking wings in a crockpot is one of the easiest dinners you can make!

Seasoning Your Wings

One of the best parts about crock pot wings is how the long, slow cooking infuses them with flavorful seasonings. Here are some simple, crowd-pleasing ways to season your wings:

• Barbecue chicken seasoning – A classic blend of paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.

• Cajun seasoning – A robust blend full of cayenne, black pepper, onion, and garlic.

• Ranch seasoning – A fresh combo of garlic, dill, onion powder, parsley, and pepper.

• Lemon pepper – Brightens up the wings with citrus and cracked black pepper.

• Brown sugar and chili powder – Sweet with a little heat.

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika – A simple but tasty option.

No matter what flavors you prefer, resist over-seasoning as the wings will get saltier as they cook. You can always add more later if needed.

Choosing Your Cooking Liquid

The liquid at the bottom of the crock pot serves two purposes:

1. Provides moisture so the wings braise rather than dry out.

2. Imparts extra flavor as the wings stew in the seasoned liquid.

Here are some excellent options for cooking liquid:

• Chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth – Use low sodium varieties.

• Apple cider – Offers a hint of sweetness.

• Wine or beer – White wines or amber beers work well.

• Water – Add extra seasoning to infuse the water with flavor.

Use around 1 cup of liquid for 2-3 pounds of wings. Too much will make them soggy rather than nicely glazed and tender.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for foolproof crock pot turkey wings:

1. Pat 2-3 pounds of whole wings dry and place in the crock pot.

2. Season all over with your favorite spices and herbs (about 1-2 teaspoons total per pound).

3. Pour 1 cup cooking liquid like broth, cider, or wine over the wings.

4. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours until wings are very tender.

5. Use tongs to transfer wings to a platter, taking care as the meat will be very tender and may fall off the bone.

6. Turn crock pot up to high and let the remaining liquid reduce to a glaze, 10-15 minutes.

7. Pour glaze over wings before serving for added flavor.

And that’s it! Juicy, saucy, flavor-packed crock pot turkey wings ready for digging in. The aromas as they slow cook all day will have everyone eager for dinner time.

Tips for the Best Results

• Don’t skip patting the wings dry before seasoning. This helps the flavors stick better.

• Resist peeking and lifting the lid during cooking. This releases heat and can increase cook time.

• Use metal tongs and silicone-tipped tools to avoid scraping the crock pot surface.

• Allow the wings to rest 5-10 minutes before serving if glazing. This helps thicken the sauce.

• Garnish with fresh parsley, sliced scallions, or lemon wedges for a pop of color.

• Serve with ranch dressing, hot sauce, or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Fun Flavor Variations

Once you master the basic technique, try out different seasonings for fun new flavor profiles:

• Italian – oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic

• Tex Mex – cumin, chili powder, cilantro, lime

• Jerk – allspice, thyme, habanero peppers, ginger

• Asian – sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger

• Lemon Garlic – lemon zest, garlic, thyme, Parmesan

• Old Bay – seafood seasoning perfect for turkey wings

Expert Tips and Tricks

Take your crock pot turkey wings to the next level with these expert tips:

• For crispy skin, broil the cooked wings 5-10 minutes until browned and crispy.

• Make it a meal by cooking roasted potatoes and carrots alongside in the crock pot.

• Serve the wings with coleslaw, cornbread, or mac and cheese for a complete feast.

• Use the leftover braising liquid to make a flavorful pot of rice or soup.

• Cool and refrigerate the wings in the broth overnight for even more intense flavor.

• Double the recipe and freeze half for easy turkey wings another night.

Common Questions

How long should I cook turkey wings in a crock pot?

Cook on low heat around 6-8 hours until the meat is very tender and pulling away from the bone. Larger wings may take closer to 8 hours.

Should the liquid cover the wings completely?

No, the wings only need to be partially submerged in liquid. Too much will make them soggy.

Can I use a crock pot liner?

Yes, a liner can help make cleanup easier but is not necessary. Check your liner instructions for use with poultry.

Do I need to add extra liquid during cooking?

Likely not. The lid traps steam so you shouldn’t need to add more liquid.

The Perfect Pairings

Serve your fall-off-the-bone crock pot turkey wings alongside:

• Cornbread – Catch all that delicious sauce!

• Coleslaw – Crunchy, creamy, and acidic slaw balances the rich wings.

• Potato salad – Another classic cookout pairing.

• Mac and cheese – Comfort food overload!

• Collard greens – Classic soul food side.

• Baked beans – Sweet, smoky, and saucy.

Satisfying and Simple

Cooking turkey wings in the crock pot makes for a hearty, fuss-free meal the whole family will love. The flavorful, fall-off-the-bone meat is hard to beat. With just a few pantry staples and seasonings, you can enjoy this tasty soul food tradition without spending hours tending to the oven or stove. Try this simple recipe and make crock pot turkey wings a regular menu staple!