Most of us cherish the food we ate as children. When I was a little girl, I loved eating chicken necks, despite them not having much meat. As an adult, I learned that turkey necks have a similar flavor and more meat!
Some of you might think I am crazy for cooking with turkey necks, but I am certain that this recipe will change your mind. Growing up in Ukraine, I was taught that every part of the animal has its place on the dinner table. When prepared properly, turkey necks are a wonderful, fall-off-the-bone comfort food!
Seared and then roasted in the oven, these turkey necks are perfect to indulge in on a cold winter day. The neck is the best part of the bird, so underrated and underutilized in cooking! Prepare some mashed potatoes or white rice to accompany the necks, or eat them fresh out of the oven all on their own.
The turkey neck also known as the gobbler is an oft-overlooked part of the Thanksgiving bird. While many home cooks toss it or leave it behind, this tender, flavorful cut of meat is worthy of a spot on your holiday table.
With a little creativity, the humble turkey neck can transform into appetizers main dishes, sides, soups and more. Read on for 15 delicious ways to use up this Thanksgiving leftover.
Simmer Into Rich, Flavorful Turkey Broth
One of the best uses for a turkey neck is to make homemade turkey broth. Simmering the neck bones with vegetables like onions, carrots and celery releases their rich, concentrated flavor. Strain the broth and you have an incredible base for soups, gravy and more.
Making your own broth is incredibly easy, frugal and lets you use up the entire bird. You can freeze any extra broth in batches to pull out for future recipes.
Turn Broth Into Velvety Turkey Gravy
Once you’ve made turkey neck broth, turn it into the most amazing gravy! Whisk some flour into the hot broth until thickened and simmer briefly. Season with herbs like sage, thyme or rosemary.
The natural gelatin from the turkey neck gives this gravy incredible body and luxurious texture without needing cornstarch or other thickeners. Drizzle it over your Thanksgiving leftovers or go classic with mashed potatoes.
Braise For Succulent Shredded Turkey
Braise the turkey neck low and slow in broth until fall-off-the-bone tender. Shred the meat and use it to top salads, fold into tacos, stuff into sandwiches or blend into soups.
The braised meat has a rich, succulent texture perfect for adding flavor to leftover turkey dishes. Try it in enchiladas, chili, baked pasta and more.
Make Delicious Turkey Neck Potato Soup
Simmer turkey neck bones into broth, remove meat, then whisk in milk, cream or coconut milk for a creamy base. Dice potatoes and cook til tender, then add shredded turkey meat, vegetables and seasonings.
This soup is comforting and economical, letting you stretch leftover ingredients into an easy weeknight meal. Top with parsley, green onion or crispy bacon.
Use In Hearty Bean & Turkey Neck Stew
Make a deeply flavored stew by braising turkey necks low and slow with beans, veggies and spices. Try white beans, chickpeas or lentils.
The tender shredded turkey and savory broth provide incredible flavor. Toss in greens at the end for a one-pot meal. Serve stew over rice, with crusty bread or topped with yogurt.
Fry Up Crispy Turkey Neck Confit
Confit refers to meat cooked and preserved in its own fat. It adds incredible flavor! Try turkey neck confit by simmering the neck in turkey fat or oil until completely tender. Refrigerate, then slice and fry until browned and crispy.
Use confit turkey neck to top salads, fold into tacos or sandwiches, dice for apps or snack on its own. The crispy, fatty bits are irresistibly delicious.
Make Delicious Turkey Neck Dumpling Soup
Cut cooked turkey neck meat into bite-sized pieces and add to your homemade broth along with veggies. Make simple dough dumplings and drop into the simmering soup.
The dumplings cook right in the broth and soak up all the flavor. You can also add herbs, ginger and other seasonings. It’s a comforting, thrifty soup.
Turn Into Hearty Turkey Neck Chili
Chili is a great way to use up turkey leftovers. Cook dried beans such as kidney, black or pinto beans until tender. Add chopped turkey neck meat, tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, onion, peppers and more.
Simmer until thickened and flavors combine. Top with shredded cheese, onions, avocado or cornbread. Turkey neck chili is budget-friendly comfort food.
Whip Up Delicious Turkey Neck Tacos
Shred braised turkey neck meat and get creative with tacos! Sauté with peppers and onions for fajita-style tacos. Mix with salsa verde or mole sauce for a Mexican twist. Add barbecue sauce for a Southern vibe. Pile into corn tortillas or taco shells and top with all your favorite fixings.
Turkey neck tacos are an easy, fun way to reinvent leftovers and please a crowd. Set out lots of toppings and let everyone build their own.
Craft Hearty Turkey Neck Soup With Veggies
Homemade turkey broth provides the base for endless quick and easy soups. Try turkey neck vegetable soup with carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, cabbage, kale and more.
Simmer the vegetables in the broth until tender, then add bite-sized turkey neck meat at the end. Season with herbs and let flavors meld. Hearty, healthy and comforting!
Create Delicious Stuffed Turkey Neck
Before cooking, carefully debone the raw turkey neck while leaving the skin intact. Fill the pocket with your favorite stuffing or cornbread dressing. Sew up the opening, then braise or simmer until cooked through and stuffing is heated.
Sliced stuffed turkey neck makes a fun appetizer or addition to your leftover spread. Kids will love the surprise stuffing inside.
Make Savory Turkey Neck Pot Pie
Why stop at just broth and shredded meat? You can braise chunks of turkey neck until tender, then combine with veggies like peas, carrots and pearl onions. Make a simple biscuit dough and top the pot pie filling before baking.
The turkey neck chunks and vegetables simmered in broth make a rich, delicious filling. The biscuit crust soaks up all the gravy for comfort food bliss.
Use In Hearty Slow Cooker Turkey Neck Soup
Let your slow cooker do the work for this simple turkey soup. Add turkey neck bones, broth, veggies, seasonings and barley or rice. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Remove neck bones, shred meat and return to soup before serving. The long cook time extracts tons of flavor from the neck. Load up with veggies for a nourishing one-pot meal.
Turn Into Savory Turkey Neck Hash
Make shredded turkey neck the star in this easy hash. Sauté onions, potatoes, spinach and seasonings, then stir in shredded turkey meat. Cook until lightly browned and crispy on the edges.
Turkey neck hash makes a tasty breakfast but also works for lunch or dinner. Top with a fried egg for extra richness. Simple, satisfying and budget-friendly.
Create A Fun Turkey Neck Appetizer Board
Get creative with bite-sized turkey neck preparations for an impressive appetizer spread. Try wraps, sliders, meatballs, confit and more. Arrange on a board with pickles, mustard, jam, crackers, cheese, fruit and toasted bread.
Your guests will love the variety of turkey neck flavors and textures. It’s a thrifty way to reinvent and serve leftovers in a fun, shareable way.
The humble turkey neck offers a world of possibilities beyond basic stock. With a little skill and creativity, you can give this unassuming leftover a delicious second life in appetizers, mains, soups and more.
Next Thanksgiving, don’t discard the neck – transform it into rich, savory dishes your family will love.
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Most of us cherish the food we ate as children. When I was a little girl, I loved eating chicken necks, despite them not having much meat. As an adult, I learned that turkey necks have a similar flavor and more meat!
Some of you might think I am crazy for cooking with turkey necks, but I am certain that this recipe will change your mind. Growing up in Ukraine, I was taught that every part of the animal has its place on the dinner table. When prepared properly, turkey necks are a wonderful, fall-off-the-bone comfort food!
Seared and then roasted in the oven, these turkey necks are perfect to indulge in on a cold winter day. The neck is the best part of the bird, so underrated and underutilized in cooking! Prepare some mashed potatoes or white rice to accompany the necks, or eat them fresh out of the oven all on their own.
Keeping Turkey Necks Tender
The key to keeping turkey necks tender is to add a cup of hot water to your cast iron skillet (or any oven-safe skillet) before you place it in the oven. Creating a slow boil in the oven will ensure that your turkey necks do not become rubbery and burn. The added liquid will also create a yummy gravy!
Tone A Turkey Neck With This 1 Minute Daily Facial Exercise
FAQ
What are turkey necks good for?
Can anything be done about a turkey neck?
What to do with a turkey neck and giblets?
Why do I suddenly have a turkey neck?
What can I do if I have a turkey neck?
To improve your neck’s underlying muscle quality and tone, you can try: Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist. Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck.
What treatment is available for wry neck?
Wry neck or torticollis, is a painfully twisted and tilted neck. Treatments for wry neck include: applying heat massage physical therapy or chiropractic care traction stretching exercises neck braces Your doctor may recommend surgery, such as: fusing abnormal vertebrae lengthening neck muscles cutting nerves or muscles using deep brain stimulation to interrupt nerve signals (used only in the most severe cases of cervical dystonia) Medications can be helpful. They can include: muscle relaxants medications used to treat the tremors of Parkinson’s disease botulinum toxin injections repeated every few months pain medications
What can you make with a turkey neck?
Using the turkey neck as the base for the stock, along with some fresh herbs and aromatics, creates a broth that produces a gravy with deep rich flavors that are never greasy, can be seasoned to match the flavors in the bird, and can be made several days ahead of time.
How do I Choose an effective Turkey Neck treatment?
Choosing an effective turkey neck treatment depends on what’s causing it and your goals. Fortunately, there’s a smorgasbord of treatment options available. Dr. Newman breaks them down. Dr. Newman says some people note a change in the appearance of their neck when they lose weight — but not always.