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 neck of a turkey is often one of the most misunderstood parts of this popular holiday bird. Many home cooks simply discard it not realizing the value it can add to various dishes. In this article we’ll dive into the anatomy of the turkey neck, its common uses, nutritional benefits, preparation techniques, role in cuisine, sustainability implications, and cultural traditions surrounding consumption. Read on to finally understand exactly what you can do with the turkey neck.
Anatomy of the Turkey Neck
The turkey neck is the long thin part between the bird’s head and body. It contains vertebrae muscle, skin, fat, feathers, blood vessels, and the trachea and esophagus. This flexible extension allows the turkey to lower its head to feed on the ground and move around easily. The neck plays a key role in regulating body temperature and coordinating movement. While it may not seem very meaty, the skin, fat, collagen, and cartilage in the turkey neck impart substantial flavor when cooked.
Common Culinary Uses
Rather than throwing the turkey neck away, make use of it in the kitchen to add richness to various dishes:
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Broth or stock: Simmer the neck bones and meat in water or broth with vegetables and herbs to extract delicious flavor for soups, gravies, stuffing, rice, etc. This makes a nutrient-dense alternative to store-bought stocks.
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Stuffing ingredient: Dice the meat and sauté with aromatics to mix into stuffing/dressing for added moisture and savor.
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Sandwich or salad topping: Shred or chop the cooked neck meat to top sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more. It makes a nice addition to BBQ shredded turkey sandwiches.
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Pet food or treat: As a protein-rich meaty bone, the uncooked neck can be fed to dogs or cats as a healthy chew treat.
Nutritional Value
While not as tender as breast meat, the turkey neck provides many nutrients:
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High in protein for building muscle, skin, hair, nails, and enzymes.
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Rich source of collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support joint health.
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Iron for healthy blood cell and hemoglobin production.
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Zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins.
When incorporated into broths or stuffing, you can utilize the turkey neck to boost the nutritional quality of your meal prep.
Preparing Turkey Necks
Proper preparation is key to getting the most flavor and usefulness out of the turkey neck:
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Rinse well and pat dry.
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Trim off excess fat, skin, or cartilage with a sharp knife.
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Remove any bony protrusions for easier eating.
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Place in a stock pot with vegetables, herbs, and water or broth to make a rich stock.
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Alternatively, rub with spices or marinade and roast or grill for snacking.
Cultural Traditions
The turkey neck has significance in many food cultures:
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Soul food: Smothered turkey necks are a soul food staple. The collagen-rich meat is cooked low and slow until fork tender.
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Chinese cuisine: Turkey neck adds texture and flavor to soups and stews as a substitute for pork neck bones.
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West African stews: Turkey necks are common in peppery West African stews served over rice.
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Cajun cuisine: Turducken, a deboned stuffed chicken inside a duck inside a turkey, utilizes all parts of the birds, including the neck.
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Dog treats: Feeding turkey necks has roots as a natural teeth-cleaning dog treat before commercial treats became available.
Sustainable Use
With consumers seeking nose-to-tail sustainability, the turkey neck is being utilized more:
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Reduces waste by using the whole bird.
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Adds collagen, glucosamine, vitamins to broths.
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Provides protein and chewing satisfaction for pets.
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Economical use of the less popular cuts of meat.
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Supports local turkey farms by creating demand.
Overall, maximizing use of the turkey neck aligns with eco-conscious cooking principles.
Final Takeaways
Other Ways to Cook Turkey Necks
Now that you are in love with turkey necks (right?!), get creative and try cooking them differently! Here are a couple of my favorite ways to prepare turkey necks:
- Smoked Turkey Necks: Often times, you can find pre-smoked turkey necks at the butcher. These have an awesome flavor and are the perfect compliment to stews or chilis.
- Turkey Necks in a Smoked Cooker: Have a smoker at home? Smoke your own turkey necks! Set your smoker to 180F and let the necks cook for 2-4 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone. Think of these smoked necks as an adventurous departure from traditional smoked chicken wings!
- Turkey Neck Soup: My boys love turkey neck soup. Much like chicken noodle soup, it is so comforting and the perfect dish to make when someone is feeling under the weather.
- Turkey Necks Gravy: Turkey neck meat is dark, flavorful, and perfect to build a gravy from. Make a batch and smother it over just about anything!
Note: You can find turkey necks in most, large grocery stores, although not every store carries them.
How to Make Turkey Necks
You may be feeling a bit intimidated to take on cooking turkey necks. Don’t fret! It’s super easy and very similar to roasting any other type of meat.
First, you will brown the turkey necks on a hot skillet. Then, you will place the browned necks in a cast iron skillet with some fresh carrots and onions and bake them for about one and a half hours. When you pull your turkey necks out of the oven, the meat will fall off the bone and become extremely tender.
How to Boil Turkey Neck & Giblets: Cooking with Kimberly
FAQ
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