Cooking a whole turkey can be intimidating especially if you only do it once or twice a year. While the turkey roasts you want to make sure it cooks evenly so the breast meat doesn’t dry out while the thighs and legs finish cooking. One simple technique to promote even cooking is tucking the wings under the breast. This prevents the thin wing tips from burning and overcooking.
In this article, I’ll explain step-by-step how to easily tuck turkey wings for better roasting results. With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly cooked turkey with crispy skin and moist, tender meat throughout.
What Does “Tuck the Wings” Mean?
Tucking the wings refers to gently pulling the turkey’s wings back and under the bird so the wing tips are tucked under the breast and back area This positions the wings close to the body rather than sticking out to the sides
When the wings are tucked, they are partially shielded from the direct heat of the oven or smoker. This prevents them from overcooking or burning before the breast, thighs and legs are finished.
Why Should You Tuck Turkey Wings?
There are two main benefits to tucking the wings on your turkey:
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Promotes Even Cooking – With the wings tucked, the thin wing tips are shielded from burning. This allows the thicker breast and thigh meat to cook through without the wings drying out first.
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Prevents Overcooked Wings – Turkey wings have very little meat and connective tissue. They easily dry out and burn if exposed to high heat. Tucking the wings keeps them moist and delicious.
Tucking the wings takes just a minute but makes a big difference in having a picture-perfect roast turkey!
How to Tuck Turkey Wings in 4 Easy Steps
Tucking turkey wings is an easy process you can do in just a minute before roasting. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Position Turkey Breast-Side Up
Place thawed turkey on a roasting pan or carving board, breast-side facing up. Make sure it is dry inside and out.
2. Lift Wing Up
Gently lift up one wing, cupping your hand under the mid-section of the wing near the breast meat.
3. Tuck Wing Under Breast
Keeping the wing lifted, use your other hand to tuck the wing under the breast, angling it towards the back.
4. Repeat on Other Side
Lift the other wing and repeat tucking it under the breast area. Make sure both wings are securely tucked.
Check that both wings are neatly tucked under the thicker breast meat rather than sticking out. Your turkey is now ready for seasoning and roasting!
Turkey Roasting Tips for Moist Meat & Crispy Skin
Once the wings are tucked, follow these tips for perfectly cooked turkey:
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Dry the skin – Pat the skin dry before seasoning so it crisps up.
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Use a roasting rack – Elevate turkey on a rack so air circulates for even cooking.
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Season simply – Rub skin with oil and just use salt, pepper and herbs.
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Cook to 165oF – Check temperature in breast and thigh to ensure doneness.
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Tent with foil – If browning too quickly, loosely tent breast with foil.
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Let rest before carving – Waiting 15 minutes allows juices to redistribute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I truss the turkey after tucking the wings?
Trussing is optional but can help hold the wings in place. To truss, loop kitchen twine around the wings and body then tie the legs together.
When should I tuck the wings?
Tuck the wings after removing giblets and drying the skin. Do it right before seasoning and roasting the turkey.
Do I need to tuck both wings?
Yes, always tuck both wings under the breast to prevent either side from overcooking.
Can I tuck the wings on a spatchcocked turkey?
Since spatchcocking flattens the bird, you can’t tuck the wings under. Just tuck them against the body as best as possible.
What if the wings unwrap while cooking?
Don’t worry if the wings come untucked while roasting. They still get some protection from the high heat.
Get Perfectly Cooked Turkey Every Time
Learning how to properly tuck turkey wings takes just a minute but makes a huge difference in preventing dried out wings and overcooking. The wings shield the delicate wing tips from direct heat for more even cooking.
Combined with keeping the skin dry, using a rack, and monitoring temperature, tucked wings help ensure your holiday turkey has crispy skin, moist breast meat, and fully cooked legs and thighs.
With just a few simple steps before roasting, you can serve up the perfect turkey this Thanksgiving!
