If youre looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a tasty Thanksgiving dish, look no further. This instant pot turkey wings recipe will show you how to make perfectly tender and juicy wings!
Smoked turkey wings are a delicious finger-licking treat that are perfect for game day snacking or a weekend family dinner. With juicy meat that falls right off the bone and an incredible smoky flavor these wings are hard to resist! However, traditional smoking methods can take hours of tedious monitoring and replenishing of the smoke source. This is where the instant pot comes in to save the day! With an instant pot, you can achieve the same succulent, smoky turkey wings in a fraction of the time.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook smoked turkey wings flawlessly in your instant pot. From tips for choosing the best wings to step-by-step cooking instructions, you’ll be enjoying show-stopping smoked wings in no time!
Benefits of Using an Instant Pot
The instant pot is a game changer when it comes to cooking smoked turkey wings Here are some of the key advantages
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Speed: You can have fully cooked wings in under an hour with an instant pot. Traditional smoking takes 4-6 hours.
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Convenience: Simply throw the ingredients in the pot and let it do the work. No need for constant monitoring and smoke replenishing.
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Flavors: The pressure cooking seals in juices while the smoke penetrates deeply into the meat.
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Nutrients: Pressure cooking retains more vitamins and minerals compared to other cooking methods.
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Consistency: The instant pot cooks the wings evenly and thoroughly. No worrying about burnt edges or undercooked meat.
Picking the Best Wings
Not all turkey wings are created equal when it comes to getting the perfect smoky flavor and texture after cooking. Here are a few tips for selecting the best wings:
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Go for whole wings: Whole wings with the drumette and flat intact will have more meat than just drumettes alone.
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Get fresh, not frozen: Thawing and cooking frozen wings can lead to uneven cooking. Fresh is best!
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Opt for larger wings: Larger, meatier wings will hold up better to pressure cooking versus smaller skinny wings.
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Avoid pre-smoked: While pre-smoked wings may seem convenient, they are already cooked so will turn out overdone. Go for raw.
Seasoning the Wings
One of the keys to incredible smoked turkey wings is getting a flavorful, spice-infused coating on the meat before cooking.
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Pat the wings dry first to help the seasoning stick.
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Rub spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper all over the wings.
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Consider brining the wings before cooking to really amp up the juiciness. A simple brine of salt, brown sugar and aromatics does the trick.
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Try marinating the wings in a zip top bag with a marinade like barbecue sauce, ranch dressing or hot sauce to complement the smoke.
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Instructions
Cooking smoked turkey wings in an instant pot couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps for perfect wings every time.
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Add 1 cup of liquid like chicken broth, apple juice or water to the instant pot. This will create steam to cook the wings.
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Place a steaming rack in the bottom of the pot and arrange the seasoned wings on top in a single layer.
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Lock the lid in place, seal the pressure valve and select the manual setting for 25 minutes on high pressure.
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Once cooking completes, use the natural pressure release method to safely depressurize.
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Carefully remove the lid, letting steam escape away from you. Transfer wings to a platter.
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For extra crispy skin, broil the wings for 2-3 minutes after cooking.
And that’s all there is to it! With these straightforward steps you’ll have tasty smoked wings ready to devour within an hour.
Serving Suggestions
Smoked turkey wings make a stellar standalone appetizer or main course, but can also be paired with a variety of mouthwatering sides.
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Toss wings in barbecue sauce for a saucy, finger-licking meal.
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Serve wings alongside coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad for a classic barbecue feast.
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Offer crunchy crudites and ranch dip as a lighter accompaniment.
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Spoon baked beans, cornbread or collard greens on the plate for traditional southern flavors.
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Cool things down with a blue cheese wedge salad and celery sticks.
However you choose to serve them up, your instant pot smoked turkey wings are sure to be a big hit!
Handy Tips for Instant Pot Success
Looking to become an instant pot smoked wing pro? Keep these handy tips in mind:
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Use an instant pot oil spray to coat the pot before cooking for easy cleanup.
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Allow the pot to fully depressurize naturally for the most tender and juicy wings.
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Consult the instant pot manual to learn the ideal liquid amounts, cook times and release methods for your model.
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Cut whole wings into drumettes and flats for faster, more even cooking.
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Add wood chips to the pot in a smoke box or wrapped in foil for an authentic smoky flavor.
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Turn the wings and mix sauce once or twice during cooking if not cooking in a stackable steamer basket.
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Extend cook time for larger or meatier wings. Cook less time for smaller wings.
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Use poultry shears or a sharp knife to remove wing tips before cooking for better fit in the pot.
With the convenience of the instant pot, you can enjoy tender, juicy smoked turkey wings any night of the week. Forget slaving over a smoker for hours – let your instant pot do the work so you can dig into the delicious wings sooner. Give this easy recipe a try and get ready to become the new wing master in town!
How To Make This Recipe
Heres how to make this easy recipe.
- Pour all the spices into a small bowl and mix them together. Then rub the spice mixture all over the wings as a dry rub marinade and set aside.
- Turn the instant pot to sauté mode and add a little oil.
- When heated, add the raw turkey wings and brown them on both sides.
- Take out the wings and add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes.
- Pour in the chicken stock and deglaze with a wooden spoon. This means scraping any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Turn the instant pot to manual mode, add the turkey parts in, then pressure cook for 20 minutes.
- Let it naturally release for 10 minutes when done, then do a quick release for the remaining pressure.
- Take the turkey wings out and turn the instant pot to sauté mode.
- To thicken, mix the arrowroot powder with water to make a slurry.
- Pour it into the instant pot and whisk for a few minutes.
- Add the turkey wings back and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
❤️ Why you’ll love it
I love that this recipe is so healthy, quick, and easy to prepare. It takes just a few minutes in the instant pot pressure cooker to make these incredibly moist and flavorful turkey wings. And its made with easy pantry ingredients!
This is a great way to get your turkey fix without cooking a whole turkey during the holiday season. Its low in carbs and high in protein, which keeps you full for longer and contains loads of minerals and vitamins.
Another great thing about my favorite part of the turkey is that its so versatile. You can use it as a base recipe or add your own spin with different spices and ingredients.
Next time, try these air fryer turkey wings for some crispy deliciousness!
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I use an instant pot for this recipe. An instant pot is an electric pressure cooker that helps me save time and energy when cooking.
The instant pot allows me to cook food as well as steam and saute it, all in the same pot, which significantly reduces clean-up time.
Pressure cooking makes your food more delicious, moist, and irresistible all the flavors and moisture are trapped inside. It also cooks food 70% faster than many other cooking methods. So its great for cooking foods that need a long cooking time.
- Turkey wings: I use fresh turkey wings from the grocery store. You can also get your turkey from a butcher.
- Olive oil: You can use your preferred cooking oil instead.
- Aromatics: Onions and garlic.
- Chicken stock: You can use homemade or store-bought chicken stock. If you dont have stock, you can use a cup of water instead but add more spices.
- Spices: Chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, and cumin.
Instant Pot Smothered Turkey Wings
FAQ
How to cook already smoked turkey wings?
How to cook smoke meat in the Instant Pot?
Are store bought smoked turkey wings cooked?
How to cook fricks smoked turkey wings?
How long to cook Turkey wings in Instant Pot?
Just season liberally and cook! Salt & pepper, paprika, and garlic powder taste delicious on turkey wings, but feel free to add any seasonings you prefer. The instant pot cooking method infuses the meat with flavor. All you do is pop the wings in the pot and let them cook for 20 minutes.
How do you cook chicken wings in an Instant Pot?
Heat the vegetable oil in an Instant Pot set to Sauté Mode – High, and brown the wings in batches, 2 to 3 wings per batch, on both sides of the wings, about 3 minutes per side. Move the browned wings to a small bowl. Sauté the Aromatics: Melt the butter in the Instant Pot, add the onion and garlic, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon fine sea salt.
How do you cook Turkey wings in a pressure cooker?
Prep pressure cooker by pouring in a cup of water. Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder onto both sides of two large turkey wings. Rub in the seasonings to coat the wings. Add wings to pressure cooker. Layer on top of one another. Close lid and seal valve. Press pressure cook button and set to 20 minutes on high pressure.
How long does it take to cook smothered Turkey wings?
It can take almost 2 hours to bake smothered turkey wings in the oven. Instant pot turkey wings are ready in less than 30 minutes but still have the same flavor and richness. Can I make this with turkey breast?