How to Cut Turkey Wings into Segments for Even Cooking

Turkey wings make a delicious, budget-friendly meal. Their rich, meaty flavor shines when roasted, braised, or fried. However, cutting whole turkey wings into smaller portions before cooking makes them easier to cook evenly as well as eat This article will explain the benefits of segmenting turkey wings and provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly cut turkey wings at home

Why Cut Turkey Wings into Segments?

Turkey wings consist of three distinct parts – the meaty drumette, the flat mid-section or wingette, and the skinny wing tip. Leaving a turkey wing whole results in uneven cooking. The thinner bony wing tip often burns or overcooks before the thicker drumette is done.

Cutting turkey wings into pieces allows you to

Cook the parts evenly since they are relatively uniform in size and thickness
Optionally remove the wing tip which has minimal meat and use for stock
Achieve crispier skin and more surface browning when roasting or frying
Portion out wings for serving and eating more conveniently

So for more control over doneness, better texture and easier handling it’s best to divide turkey wings before cooking.

What You’ll Need to Cut Turkey Wings

Cutting up raw turkey wings is easy to do at home with just a couple of basic tools:

Cutting board – Use a dedicated plastic board just for raw poultry if possible
Sharp knife – A boning knife or paring knife offers the best control
Towels – For keeping things dry and grabbing slippery wings

A sturdy chef’s knife and kitchen shears can also work in a pinch.

Turkey Wing Anatomy

Before cutting, it helps to understand the anatomy of a turkey wing:

Drumette – The thickest, meatiest part attached to the body. Resembles a mini drumstick.
Wingette (flat) – The middle section with two bones and more wing meat.
Wing tip – The skinny end section containing minimal meat.

There are joints between each part where the bones connect. The goal is to cut through these joints to detach each portion.

How to Cut Turkey Wings Step-By-Step

Follow these simple steps for cutting turkey wings into pieces:

1. Dry Wings and Position

Pat wings dry thoroughly with paper towels. Place on cutting board skin-side down with the elbow joint facing you.

2. Cut Through Skin

Make an incision through the skin between drumette and wingette sections. Cut towards the elbow joint.

3. Expose the Joint

Grip the drumette in one hand and wingette in the other. Gently pull and twist to pop and expose the elbow joint.

4. Separate Drumette

Place knife in the gap between bones at the joint. Cut through the joint tissues to separate drumette from wingette.

5. Divide Wing Tip

Bend wingette to expose joint attaching wing tip. Slice through this joint to remove wing tip.

6. Check for Bone Fragments

Inspect each portion and remove any loose bone fragments for safety.

Turkey Wing Cutting Tips

Follow these tips for easy, safe, and clean wing segmenting:

Use a dry, sturdy grip when handling slippery raw wings. A damp paper towel can help.
Work slowly and safely. Have a steady cutting surface and keep fingers away from the blades.
For better leverage, use one hand to hold a wing piece while cutting with the other.
Thawed wings are easier to maneuver than frozen. Defrost first for 1-2 days in the fridge.
Rinse and pat wings dry before cutting to limit mess and sticking.
Chill cut wings in fridge up to 2 days until ready to cook. Or freeze for longer storage.

Get Evenly Cooked Turkey Wings

Removing the wing tip and separating turkey wings into the meatier drumette and wingette pieces before cooking lets you achieve even doneness and crispiness. Use the tips above to cleanly and safely cut turkey wings at home. Enjoy the convenience of ready-to-cook portions.

how to cut turkey wings

How To Cut Turkey Wings

When it comes to preparing a Thanksgiving feast, turkey is often the star of the show. While the traditional way to serve turkey is by roasting it whole, some people prefer to separate the wings to create a more versatile and appetizing dish. It may seem like a daunting task, but with the right technique, cutting turkey wings can be a breeze. Whether you want to use the wings for a flavorful stock, tasty appetizer, or as part of a mouthwatering main course, here’s how you can do it:

Fresh turkey
Cutting board
Sharp chef’s knife or poultry shears
Kitchen towel or paper towels

Start by placing the turkey on a clean and stable cutting board. Pat the wings dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels to ensure a good grip.
Locate the joint where the wing connects to the body of the turkey. Carefully position your knife or poultry shears at the joint and apply steady pressure to separate the wing from the body. You may hear a slight cracking sound as you do this.
Once the wing is detached, examine the joint where the wing is connected to the drumette. Cut through this joint to separate the drumette from the wingette. Repeat this process for the other wing.
If desired, you can further break down the wingette into two pieces by locating the joint in the middle and cutting through it. This will result in a drumette and a flat section.
After cutting all the wings, you can use them immediately in your recipe or store them in the refrigerator for later use.

Keep your fingers away from the knife blade to avoid any accidents. Safety should always come first!
If you’re having difficulty separating the joints, you can use a little bit of force by holding the turkey with one hand and applying pressure with the other.
Using poultry shears instead of a knife can make the cutting process easier, especially if you’re not comfortable using a knife.
Save the turkey wings tips, along with any other unused parts, to make a flavorful turkey stock that can be used in soups, sauces, and gravies.

Now that you know how to cut turkey wings, you can get creative in the kitchen and take your Thanksgiving dishes to a whole new level. Whether you decide to fry the wings, bake them, or use them to enhance the flavor of your favorite recipes, the possibilities are endless. Happy cooking and bon appétit!

For those eager to put their newfound turkey wing-cutting skills to good use, several recipes stand out. The Lemon Pepper Turkey Wings offer a zesty and refreshing flavor perfect for any occasion. For a touch of southern flair, the Cajun-Spiced Turkey Wings provide a bold, spicy kick. Those craving something crispy and indulgent will find the Crispy Fried Turkey Wings irresistible. For a sweet and savory combination, the Honey BBQ Turkey Wings are a must-try. Finally, the Buffalo Turkey Wing Bites are perfect for game day or any casual get-together, offering a tangy and spicy zing that will leave everyone wanting more. Share your tips and tricks on how to properly cut turkey wings in the

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How to easily cut your turkey wings into portions at home

FAQ

How do you cut wild turkey wings?

Butchering Wild Turkey Wings If you’ve already removed the breasts, you should be able to see the wing shoulder joints. Pop them upward as if the bird is attempting to fly. Use your knife to carve around the joint, somewhat back into the bird’s cavity, to free the wing.

How to cut wings off raw turkey?

Remove Turkey Wings Pull one of the turkey wings away from the body and wiggle it to locate the joint. With a sharp knife, cut through the joint where the wing meets the body. Repeat with the other wing.

How to eat a turkey wing?

If the wings came with tips, trim them off using a very sharp knife or kitchen shears (as they may burn), then split the wings at the joint if desired. The cooked wings can be eaten as-is, or the meat can be stripped from the bone and added to other dishes.

How do you cut turkey bones?

Use your fingers to find the turkey’s backbone and cut along both sides of the spine. Cut through from top to bottom until you can extract the spine. Cut as close as you can to the spine to avoid wasting meat or cutting other joints. Remove the backbone, but don’t throw it away.

How do you cut a turkey wing?

Insert a fork in the upper wing to the steady turkey. Make a long horizontal cut above the wing joint through the body frame. The wing can be disjointed from the body, if desired. We believe people should feel good about what they eat. That’s why all Butterball® products are made with quality turkey for everyone and for any occasion.

Do Turkey wings need to be clipped?

Clipping the turkey’s wings would be better described as clipping the turkey’s flight feathers. The wings themselves are not cut at all, only the long flight feathers on one of the bird’s wings. It is like getting a haircut, when done properly, it doesn’t hurt the animals and the feathers will eventually grow back.

How to tuck Turkey wings?

This method how to tuck turkey wings is the simplest and most common way to tuck wings. Begin by looping a length of butchers twine around each wing, being sure that the ends are even and secure. Then, twist the two ends together like you would when tying a knot, making sure to leave some of the twine sticking out for easy removal after cooking.

How do you make turkey wing stock?

If you bought whole turkey wings, the first step is to prep the wings by chopping them up. Cut between the joint to separate the wingette (the flat part of the wing) and the drumette (or the drumstick). Cut off the wing tips and toss them or, better yet, save them to make homemade stock.