How to Make Delicious Smoked Turkey Necks

Smoked turkey necks make for an amazing dish that is bursting with flavor. While turkey necks are often discarded when preparing a whole turkey, they actually contain a good amount of meat. When smoked slowly over low heat, the meat becomes incredibly tender and falls right off the bone. If you want to take your cooking skills up a notch, learning how to smoke turkey necks is a must.

Why Try Smoking Turkey Necks?

There are several great reasons to give smoking turkey necks a try:

• The meat has an amazing smoky flavor that takes any dish to the next level.

• Turkey necks contain more meat than you might expect. They make for a hearty, meaty dish.

• The meat is very tender and moist when smoked properly practically falling off the bone.

• Turkey necks are budget-friendly and easy to find,

• You can serve smoked turkey necks as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. Their versatility makes them a great addition to your recipe arsenal.

Tips for Preparing Turkey Necks

Before smoking your turkey necks, take a few minutes to prep them:

• Rinse the turkey necks under cool running water and pat them dry.

• Carefully trim off any excess fat or skin.

• Make shallow cuts on both sides of the necks to help the smoke penetrate the meat.

• For extra flavor, consider soaking the necks in a brine for 30 minutes up to a few hours. The salt in the brine enhances juiciness.

• Another option is to let the necks marinate for several hours or overnight in your favorite marinade. Try olive oil, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and spices.

Choosing the Right Wood Chips

The type of wood you use to smoke the turkey necks will impact the final flavor. Some top options include:

• Apple wood – Provides a mild, fruity smoke flavor.

• Hickory wood – Imparts a hearty, bacon-like smoky taste.

• Mesquite wood – Has an intense, earthy flavor.

• Cherry wood – Gives a slightly sweet, reddish smoke.

• Oak wood – Features a mellow, woodsy smoke flavor.

If you are new to smoking, hickory and apple wood chips are a safe bet. Avoid strong woods like mesquite until you refine your technique.

Smoker Temperatures and Cook Times

For tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks, keep these tips in mind:

• Temperature: Smoke the necks between 225-250°F. This low and slow approach allows the collagen to properly break down.

• Time: Plan on around 2-4 hours of total cook time. Turkey necks have quite a bit of connective tissue that requires sufficient time to soften up.

• Internal temp: Check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F. At this point, they are safe to eat.

• Appearance: The meat will appear pullback from the bones when fully cooked and ready to eat.

Cooking times can vary based on the size of the necks and particular smoker conditions. Monitor them closely until you get a feel for your smoker.

7 Easy Steps for Smoked Turkey Necks

Follow this simple process for foolproof smoked turkey necks:

1. Clean and Prep: Rinse the necks, pat dry, trim excess fat, and make shallow cuts in the meat.

2. Marinate: Combine olive oil, brown sugar, Worcestershire, garlic, and spices. Let the necks marinate for 1-24 hours.

3. Preheat Smoker: Heat your smoker to 225-250°F using your choice of wood chips.

4. Smoke: Place necks directly on the smoker grates. Smoke for around 2-4 hours until tender.

5. Flip and Rotate: Occasionally flip and rotate the necks for even cooking.

6. Check Temp: Turkey necks are done when internal temp reaches 165°F.

7. Rest and Serve: Let necks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Ideal Side Dishes

Smoked turkey necks pair nicely with traditional Southern sides:

• Collard greens, cooked low and slow, are a classic.

• Macaroni and cheese or potato salad lend comfort.

• Baked beans, potato wedges, or corn on the cob complement the smoky meat.

• Coleslaw, cornbread, and biscuits round out the meal.

Alternative Cooking Methods

While smoking is ideal, you can also cook turkey necks using these methods:

• Slow Cooker: Add necks, onions, celery, broth and spices. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender.

• Pressure Cooker: Pressure cook necks for 30-60 minutes with onions, broth, and seasonings until done.

• Oven: Roast seasoned necks at 350°F for 1-2 hours until cooked through.

• Stovetop: Simmer necks in broth with vegetables for 2-3 hours until meat is pull-apart tender.

Delicious Smoked Turkey Neck Recipe Ideas

The possibilities are endless when cooking with smoked turkey necks:

• Smothered Turkey Necks: Braise necks in a savory gravy with onions, celery and garlic. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

• Turkey Neck Collard Greens: Simmer smoked necks with seasoned collards, ham hock and hot sauce for a soul food classic.

• Smoky Turkey Neck Soup: Build a hearty soup with necks, veggies and beans.

• BBQ Turkey Necks: Coat necks in your favorite barbecue sauce and finish on the grill.

• Cajun Turkey Necks: Give necks a bold Cajun kick with spices like cayenne, paprika and garlic.

So grab some turkey necks and your favorite wood chips to make a batch of finger-licking smoked turkey necks. This underutilized cut shines when prepared low and slow. The tender, juicy meat will have you hooked on smoking in no time.