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 make for an irresistibly delicious, protein-packed meal. With their signature tender meat and smoky, savory flavor, they are always a crowd-pleaser. But did you know you can take these tasty wings from smoker to stove to enhance their taste even further?
Learning how to cook smoked turkey wings on the stove opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to infusing new flavors and textures into this barbecue staple. In this guide, we will walk through the process step-by-step, with tips and tricks for stove-top success. Time to take your turkey wings up a notch!
Benefits of Cooking Smoked Wings on the Stove
Before we dive in, let’s look at some of the main benefits of using the stovetop to prepare your smoked turkey wings:
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Adds Extra Flavor Stove-top cooking allows you to incorporate sauces, glazes, and seasonings to complement the smoky taste.
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Makes Them Crispy: Pan-frying gives the wings an irresistible crispy skin.
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Quick & Easy: Stovetop cooking provides a fast and convenient way to finish off smoked wings.
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Versatile Wings can be sautéed pan-fried, braised, or simmered in a sauce on the stovetop.
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Temperature Control: Stovetop cooking makes it easy to maintain ideal heat for properly cooked wings.
With the stovetop, the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to enhancing these flavorful wings even further. Now let’s get into the method!
Step 1 – Prepare the Wings
Start by taking your smoked turkey wings out of the refrigerator and letting them come up to room temperature, about 30 minutes. This helps them cook more evenly later on.
Give them a rinse under cool water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Make sure to remove any excess marinades or rubs from the smoking process. The wings are now ready for seasoning.
Step 2 – Season the Wings
One of the great things about stovetop cooking is that you can add any flavors that complement the smoky taste. Get creative with seasonings like:
- Salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
- Spicy cajun or bbq dry rub
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano
- Spices like cumin, chili powder, cayenne
- Zesty citrus zest or juice
Figure out your desired flavor profile, then coat the wings evenly with the seasoning(s). Massage them in so they really stick. Now the wings are ready for cooking!
Step 3 – Choose Your Stovetop Cooking Method
The stovetop opens up a few different cooking techniques for smoked turkey wings. Decide which method sounds best for your meal:
Pan-Fry
This gives you crispy, golden-brown wings perfect on their own or for tossing in a sauce. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the wings in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and crispy.
Braise
For ultra-tender and flavorful wings, braise them in a sauce. Heat 1 cup broth, barbecue sauce, or other liquid in a skillet. Add wings and simmer 20-30 minutes until sauce thickens.
Sauté
Quickly cook wings in a little oil while constantly tossing. Great for glazes and smaller batches. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add wings and cook 4-5 minutes, tossing frequently.
Simmer in Sauce
Let wings bathe and absorb flavor from a sauce. Add sauce and 1/4 cup water to a pan. Simmer wings over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and coated in sauce.
Step 4 – Cook the Wings Through
Once you’ve browned or partially cooked the wings using the stovetop method of your choice, you need to finish cooking them until heated through.
Reduce heat to medium and let wings simmer in the pan, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 more minutes. The meat should become fork-tender and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Add extra sauce or liquid during this process if needed to keep moist. The wings are ready when completely cooked!
Step 5 – Finish with Flair
After stovetop cooking, the wings will be hot, juicy, and infused with lots of flavor. Add any final touches based on your chosen preparation method:
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Pan-fry: Toss crispy wings in bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, or other glaze
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Braise: Let wings simmer in braising liquid to absorb maximum flavor
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Sauté: Coat glazed wings in chopped fresh herbs for a pop of flavor
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Simmer: Ensure wings are evenly coated in thick, flavorful sauce
Finally, remove the wings to a serving platter and enjoy your smoky, stovetop-seared creation!
Handy Tips for Stovetop Smoked Turkey Wings
To ensure perfect results, keep these tips in mind:
- Pat wings very dry before seasoning to help crisp the skin
- Use tongs to toss wings while pan-frying to evenly brown
- Choose a skillet large enough to avoid overcrowding
- Cook in batches if needed to prevent steaming instead of browning
- Let wings rest 5 minutes before saucing for maximum absorption
- Add liquid during braising or simmering if the pan gets dry
With this complete guide to making smoked turkey wings on the stovetop, you are ready to take these flavorful favorites to new heights. So fire up that stove, get creative with sauces and seasonings, and enjoy your succulent smoked wings, now with even more delicious flavor!
For more smoked turkey wing inspiration, browse our collection of popular recipes like:
- Skillet Smoked Turkey Wings in Peach BBQ Sauce
- Braised Smoked Turkey Wings with Mushrooms
- Spicy Sautéed Smoked Turkey Wings
- Maple Glazed Smoked Turkey Wings
And be sure to join the discussion about stovetop smoking techniques in our Cooking Tips forum. Happy turkey wing 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
Are smoked turkey wings already cooked?
How do you cook a pre cooked smoked turkey?
How do you heat ready to eat smoked turkey legs?
Why are my smoked turkey wings tough?
How do you smoke Turkey wings?
There are only a few steps to smoking turkey wings: Prep The Smoker – Pre-heat the smoker to 225°F. Prep The Wings – Pat dry the wings and coat in olive oil followed by a healthy dose of smoked wings rub. Smoke The Wings – Transfer the wings to the smoker and smoke away until the internal temperature reaches 135°F.
Can you cook smoked turkey wings on the stove?
Yes, you can definitely cook smoked turkey wings on the stove. It is a convenient and flavorful way to prepare this delicious dish. Do I need to thaw the smoked turkey wings before cooking them on the stove? Yes, it is important to thaw the smoked turkey wings before cooking them on the stove.
How long to cook smoked turkey wings in oven?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for cooking already smoked turkey wings. This temperature is ideal for reheating the meat evenly without drying it out. How long should I cook already smoked turkey wings in the oven? It usually takes about 25-30 minutes to cook already smoked turkey wings in the oven.
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.