Deceptively simple and mostly hands-off, this smoked turkey wings recipe is perfect for the holiday season. Slow-smoked to juicy, crispy perfection, the wings make the perfect hearty appetizer or main course.
Turkey is similar to a chicken, in that they have many delicious cuts and many delicious ways to cook it, including the wings.
I typically bake turkey wings, but since getting my smoker, I’ve been a little obsessed with using any cut of protein in it. While most people typically smoke turkey breasts, I adapted my smoked chicken wings to do the wings but tweaked the cooking time and the seasonings. Let me just say that these wings are an absolute winner!Table of Contents
Smoked turkey wings are a delicious treat that take turkey flavor to new heights. But how exactly should you cook turkey wings that are already smoked? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this complete guide on preparing already smoked turkey wings.
Why Choose Pre-Smoked Turkey Wings?
Opting for pre-smoked turkey wings offers some major advantages:
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Deep smoky flavor – Smoking infuses the turkey with a wonderfully smoky taste that would take ages to achieve on your own
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Tender and juicy meat – Long slow smoking ensures the turkey wings are incredibly moist and tender.
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Convenience – Pre-smoked wings skip the lengthy smoking process so you can enjoy smoky wings with little effort
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Ideal for weeknight meals – Already smoked wings cook up fast, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
So if you love smoky flavor but don’t have the time for traditional smoking, pre-smoked wings are the way to go. Now let’s get cooking!
How to Cook Already Smoked Turkey Wings
Cooking pre-smoked turkey wings is simple. Here are some foolproof methods for preparing them to perfection:
Oven Baked
Baking already smoked wings in the oven results in fork-tender meat and crispy skin.
You’ll need:
- Pre-smoked turkey wings, thawed if frozen
- Olive oil or melted butter for basting
- Desired seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, thyme
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
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Arrange wings on sheet and brush with oil or butter. Generously season.
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Cover sheet tightly with more foil and bake 40-50 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
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Remove foil, increase temperature to 400°F and bake 10 more minutes to crisp skin.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juicy wings!
Stovetop Simmered
For extra tender meat right off the bone, simmer the wings on the stovetop.
You’ll need:
- Pre-smoked turkey wings, thawed
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Chicken broth or water
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
Instructions:
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Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic 2-3 minutes.
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Add wings and enough broth to cover halfway. Add herbs.
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Simmer uncovered, turning occasionally, for 45-60 minutes until wings are very tender.
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Use tongs to transfer wings to a plate. Simmer liquid to reduce to a glaze.
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Coat wings in glaze before serving for finger-licking flavor!
Grilled
The grill adds irresistible charred flavor to smoked turkey wings.
You’ll need:
- Turkey wings, thawed
- Oil for brushing
- BBQ seasoning or dry rub
Instructions:
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Prepare grill for medium heat. Lightly oil grates.
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Coat wings all over with oil, then season generously with BBQ or dry rub.
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Grill wings 15-20 minutes, flipping occasionally until charred and 165°F internal temperature.
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Let rest 5 minutes, then serve hot off the grill!
Air Fried
For crispy skin and juicy meat, air frying cannot be beat.
You’ll need:
- Thawed turkey wings
- Oil for misting or brushing
- Seasonings of choice
Instructions:
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Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Spray or brush wings lightly with oil.
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Air fry wings in batches for 15-18 minutes, misting with oil and flipping halfway.
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Check internal temperature, cooking longer if needed until 165°F.
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Let rest before serving for maximum juiciness.
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Repeat with remaining wings. Crispy, smoky wings in minutes!
Baked Then Broiled
This method first roasts the wings tender, then broils for crispy skin.
You’ll need:
- Pre-smoked turkey wings, thawed
- Seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, pepper
- Aluminum foil
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with oil.
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Arrange wings on sheet and season well. Seal tightly with more foil.
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Bake 40 minutes until cooked through and tender. Remove foil.
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Set oven to broil. Broil wings 4-5 minutes until skin crisps. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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Allow wings to rest before serving for maximum juiciness.
Handy Tips for Cooking Success
Follow these tips and tricks for absolutely perfect smoked turkey wings every time:
- Always thaw frozen wings fully before cooking.
- Pat wings dry before cooking to maximize browning.
- Brush or mist wings with oil before cooking for crispy skin.
- Flip wings during cooking to ensure even browning.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness – aim for 165°F.
- Let wings rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicy, tender meat.
- Toss cooked wings in your favorite glaze or sauce for extra flavor.
- Pair wings with sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, and more!
Satisfy Your Smoky Cravings
With these simple methods, you can satisfy cravings for smoky wings any night of the week. Already smoked turkey wings make an easy, flavorful entree or appetizer perfect for family meals, parties, tailgates, and more. Follow this guide for tender, juicy wings with crispy skin and bold smoky flavor. Now grab those pre-smoked wings and get cooking!
Why this recipe works
- Set and forget cooking. The #1 best part about using a smoker is that it’s essentially hands-off. You leave the wings in there to do it’s thing and you only need to check it once to see if its cooked. Easy!
- PERFECT texture. I find smoking wings yields consistently perfect results every time. This simple smoking technique yields crispy skin and juicy meat (like with smoked turkey legs).
- Easy to customize. Don’t like the flavor, or do you want to make a juicier cut? Want to add your flair and make the best for your taste palette? Don’t worry; this recipe can adapt to your taste without much effort.
- Great for any occasion. Game day, Thanksgiving dinner, or a summer cookout, these wings work pretty much anywhere.
Remember, turkey wings are not small and bite-sized like chicken wings, so serve them as a main dish with a few side dishes.
Besides the turkey wings and some seasonings, there really isn’t much else needed to whip this up. Here is what you’ll need:
- Turkey wings. I love buying separate wings as they are uniform in size and easy to work with. Grocery stores typically already do this for you, but some butchers have them whole. If you get your wings from the latter, ask for them to be separated before you bring them home (the wing from the drumette).
- Olive oil. Even though a smoker doesn’t need grease or fat to cook, I like to add a touch of oil as a surefire way to ensure the spice mix sticks to the wings.
- Brown sugar. Some smoked wing recipes call for BBQ sauce, but they are a little too overpowering for turkey wings. Instead, a little brown sugar adds some sweetness AND helps with the caramelization (aka crispy edges).
- Chili powder. For the heat. This is completely optional, and if you aren’t a chili fiend like me or my family, skip it.
- Smoked paprika. For its subtle heat and smokey flavor. Please do not use standard paprika!
- Garlic and onion powder. Add some subtle flavor without needing the fresh aromatics.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to smoke turkey wings
With a smoker, your favorite hardwood, and turkey, learn to make the best-smoked turkey wings home.
Step 1- Prep. Gently pat the turkey wings with paper towels and brush them with olive oil.
Step 2- Season. Combine brown sugar and spices in a small bowl and season the turkey wings with the spice rub.
Step 3- Smoke. Place the wings in a preheated smoker and smoke until they reach 165°F, or for 2 hours.
Step 4- Finish in the oven (optional). Once the turkey wings are smoked, place them in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until even more crispy.
Step 5- Cool and serve. Allow the turkey wings to cool down and serve.
Now, I know not everyone has a smoker or has access to one, so I’ve tested this exact recipe in the oven and LOVE how similar the results are. Yes, it’s a little more hands-on, but the flavor is on point!
To bake, prep the turkey wings as instructed, then place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Next, bake at 180C/350F for 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Turn on the broil setting for the final 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
How to Prepare Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs. Quick and Easy Short Cut Jerk BBQ or Any BBQ Sauce
FAQ
How do you heat store bought smoked turkey wings?
How do I cook an already smoked turkey?
Why are my smoked turkey wings tough?
How long do you cook smoked turkey legs on the stove top?
How do you cook smoked turkey wings?
Prepare your baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This will make cleanup easier and prevent any sticking. Arrange the wings: Take the already smoked turkey wings and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are evenly spaced out to allow for proper heat circulation.
How do you cook Turkey wings in the oven?
Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy turkey wings: Preheat your oven: Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Preheating helps ensure even cooking throughout the wings. Prepare your baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This will make cleanup easier and prevent any sticking.
Are smoked turkey wings good?
Deceptively simple and mostly hands-off, this smoked turkey wings recipe is perfect for the holiday season. Slow-smoked to juicy, crispy perfection, the wings make the perfect hearty appetizer or main course. Turkey is similar to a chicken, in that they have many delicious cuts and many delicious ways to cook it, including the wings.
Should smoked turkey wings be thawed before cooking?
Yes, it is important to thaw the smoked turkey wings before cooking them on the stove. Thawing them in the refrigerator overnight is the safest method to ensure even cooking. How long should I cook smoked turkey wings on the stove? The cooking time for smoked turkey wings on the stove can vary depending on the size and thickness of the wings.