When I reminisce of smothered turkey wings, 4 words come to mind… childhood, comfort food, family, and Sundays. Today, I found myself wandering down memory lane and felt compelled to share this classic recipe hoping it might find its way to your kitchen table.
If youre anything like me and prefer the simplicity of cooking turkey parts over the whole bird, this recipe is a game changer. It doesnt require a lot of ingredients, is simple, and the perfect comfort food for a Sunday dinner.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
The pantry staples were selected to bring out the most flavor in the turkey wings that were smothered in a rich savory gravy.
Opt for chicken broth or stock in place of water to infuse your smothered turkey wings with exceptional flavor.
When making gravy, start by sauteing onions and garlic in a mixture of butter and oil. Theres something about that hint of butter that turns your gravy from good to Wow. Do not rush this process.
Also, allow the rawness of the flour to cook out completely before adding your chicken broth.
Turkey wings are an underrated and delicious part of the bird. They contain a high ratio of skin to meat, which means when cooked properly, they become ultratender and packed with rich, savory flavor. While wings make a satisfying entree when roasted, fried, or braised, coming up with accompaniments can be tricky. You want sides that complement the wings without overpowering their taste.
Here are 12 of my favorite side dishes to serve with succulent turkey wings:
1. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a no-brainer pairing for turkey wings. Their creamy texture contrasts nicely with the crispy skin and moist meat. Russets or Yukon golds both make fluffy, buttery spuds but try mixing in roasted garlic, sour cream or cream cheese for extra richness. Top with crispy fried shallots or chives.
2. Green Bean Casserole
This Thanksgiving classic partners perfectly with wings thanks to its combo of tender green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crunchy fried onions Make it from scratch or use a quality store-bought version Just be sure to bake it just until the beans are warmed through and the onions are crispy.
3. Candied Yams
Another holiday favorite, candied yams become caramelized and jammy when roasted with butter, brown sugar, and spices. Their natural sweetness balances the savory flavors of the wings. Top with toasted pecans or marshmallows if you want to gild the lily.
4. Homemade Dinner Rolls
Warm, fluffy dinner rolls are ideal for sopping up any delicious sauce left behind on your plate. Make them from scratch or heat frozen ones until golden brown. Brush with butter or garlic butter after baking.
5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
When coated in olive oil and roasted, Brussels sprouts take on an almost nutty sweetness and crunchy texture. Their small size allows them to soak up all the turkey drippings at the bottom of the pan too. Toss with crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.
6. Cornbread Stuffing
Also called dressing, cornbread stuffing becomes ultra moist and flavorful when cooked inside the turkey or alongside it. The corn and sage add comforting flavor that pairs nicely with wings. Add sausage, cranberries, or oysters to dress it up.
7. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collard greens have an irresistible velvety texture and earthy, almost nutty flavor. They add brightness to rich turkey wings. Cook them with smoked ham hocks or turkey neck bones for extra savoriness.
8. Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese makes a filling accompaniment for turkey wings. For a twist, use unique pasta shapes like cavatappi or gemelli and top with crispy panko breadcrumbs. Add ham or bacon for even more decadence.
9. Roasted Root Vegetables
A medley of chopped sweet potatoes, potatoes, parsnips, and carrots becomes caramelized and irresistible when roasted in the oven. Coat in olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper before roasting. The natural sweetness balances the wings.
10. Corn Pudding
This comforting casserole mixes creamed corn, eggs, milk, and seasonings before baking to create a crisp, custardy topping over a soft, creamy base. The sweet corn flavor complements turkey wings splendidly.
11. Cranberry Sauce
What’s turkey without the requisite cranberry sauce? The bright, tart flavor cuts through the richness of the wings. Make it fresh or open a can—just be sure to chill it thoroughly so it keeps its shape on the plate.
12. Baked Beans
Finally, you can’t go wrong with homemade baked beans, kissed with molasses and smoky bacon flavor. Their subtle sweetness and tender texture pair perfectly with deeply savory turkey wings.
With so many options, you could serve wings weekly and never get bored! Just add a crisp green salad and you have a complete, satisfying meal. Now invite me over—I’ll bring an extra pack of napkins for all those delicious turkey wings. Enjoy!
How to Make Smothered Turkey Wings
I hope you stick around while I share the how-tos and insider tips for making mouth watering turkey wings in gravy. So, here we go:
- Prepare a baking sheet by misting it with avocado oil cooking spray to avoid wings from sticking.
- Wash and pat dry your turkey wings with paper towels before seasoning.
- Arrange wings on the prepared baking sheet and season generously.
- Bake them in a 375 degree preheated oven until they are beautifully brown and tender.
- When the turkey wings are just about done. Start on the homemade gravy.
- To a hot skillet, add butter and avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- Add onions and saute until translucent. Then, add minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Add the flour to the same skillet and saute until the rawness is cooked out.
- Then, slowly add the white wine and chicken broth while whisking to avoid any lumps. Allow this to simmer until it thickens and flavor is reached. Season with a little more kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder if needed.
- Pour the gravy over the top of each turkey wings.
Store in any leftover in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Then, place in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place your smothered turkey wings on a baking dish or line a baking dish with foil and then into the oven until they are warm throughout.
- Sometime, I like having the butcher cut the turkey wings in half (this is totally optional), and I have them cut the tips off which I use for other things like adding flavor to beans or soups.
- When smothering your wings in gravy, use a perfectly sized baking dish, so your gravy doesnt spread out too much. You will want to be able to spoon the gravy over the top if you want.
- If you like a lot of gravy, I suggest doubling the ingredients for making the gravy.
- If your gravy looks lumpy, pour gravy through a sieve to catch the lumps then youre left with a smooth gravy.
- If your gravy is too thick add more liquid, if too then add more flour making sure to whisk continuously.
When baking, turkey wings should be cooked uncovered especially if youre going for a beautiful crispy golden brown skin. Theres nothing like a perfectly seasoned golden brown turkey wing. However, if youre looking to smother your baked turkey wings in a delicious gravy as in this recipe, the crispiness of the skin will be loss due to the nature of the gravy.
Sure can. Cooking times will differ though. In fact, chicken wings cook much faster than turkey wings which means that dinner will be served a lot faster.
Absolutely, prepare according to the directions. Then, when your smothered turkey wings have cooled off, place them in an air-tight container with a tight-fitting lid and warm gently the following day.
Without a doubt, rice is the ultimate companion when it comes to smothered turkey wings. Whats the point of velvety gravy without the warm embrace of rice.
Given the richness of this recipe, I recommend pairing it with a side that brings a touch of lightness and freshness. Here are a few of my favorites:
Smothered Turkey Wings #SoulFoodSunday
What to serve with Turkey wings?
Potato Salad Undoubtedly, potato salad is among the most popular side dish to serve with turkey wings. It goes incredibly nicely with turkey wings. It’s a delicious, rich in taste, and fulfilling side dish. Additionally, the contrast between the hot wings and the cool potato salad is pleasing to the palate.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
What kind of gravy goes with roasted turkey wings?
Braised Turkey Wings with Pan Gravy These Braised Turkey Wings are cooked low and slow in a dutch oven, and served with a pan gravy made from the braising liquid. 12. Roasted Turkey Wings with Creamy Marsala Gravy
What are the best turkey wing recipes?
Grab a package of turkey wings from your local grocery store and a few of these turkey wing recipes and you have a delicious way to have a casual Sunday dinner with the whole family. 1. Baked Turkey Wings 2. Cajun Baked Turkey Wings 3. Crispy Baked Turkey Wings 4. Crispy Turkey Wings + {VIDEO} 5. Smothered Turkey Wings Recipe 6.