What’s better than a turkey neck recipe? A smothered gravy-drenched turkey neck recipe! Southern comfort food at its best! Each warm tender piece of turkey neck is perfectly coated in rich and flavorful homemade brown gravy. It only takes around 15-20 minutes of prep work; then, the Instant Pot takes care of the rest for you. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your whole family, these smothered turkey necks are sure to satisfy.
Southern turkey necks are a complete vibe but I don’t want the whole world to know. I don’t want their prices to sky-rocket like oxtails, you know what I mean. But put a turkey neck in front of me and it’s murder she wrote.
My family didn’t make turkey necks regularly growing up. My husband Kenneth is the one who won my allegiance to turkey necks. He took me to this little hole-in-the-wall place in New Orleans called Old Gentilly Spice Kitchen. It’s old school for real. You place your order with a lady behind glass and she yells it to the kitchen. Felt like home as soon as I walked in.
And their turkey necks smothered in dark brown gravy are insanely life-changing. These turkey necks are so tender that all you have to do is just slightly suck the bone and the meat falls right into your mouth. Ok, this is sounding a bit x-rated but the flavor is pretty orgasmic.
Without fail, I order them whenever I go back. And when I’m craving them here in Dallas I make this recipe.
To make this cozy and flavorful smothered turkey necks recipe, you’ll need the following key ingredients:
Turkey necks are an underappreciated and versatile ingredient that can transform your Thanksgiving meal. Whether smoked, braised, roasted or added to soups and gravies, these flavorful parts offer a world of possibilities. In this article, I’ll share 18 mouthwatering ways to make the most of turkey necks this holiday season.
Turkey necks are bony, cartilage-rich parts found in the neck cavity when you purchase a whole turkey. Weighing 1-2 pounds each, they consist of bone, skin, meat and fat. The meat is dark, tender and full of collagen.
While unfamiliar to some home cooks, turkey necks have been enjoyed for generations in many cuisines. They emerged as a way to use every edible part of the bird. If your family discards or overlooks turkey necks, you’re missing out on an opportunity to add rich, bold flavor to your Thanksgiving spread.
Health Benefits of Turkey Necks
There are several health perks to cooking with turkey necks:
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Packed with protein Turkey necks provide over 50% of your daily protein needs per serving The bounty of amino acids supports muscle growth and maintenance
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High in minerals: You’ll get iron, zinc, potassium and phosphorus from turkey necks. These nutrients aid immunity, nerve signaling, oxygen transport and bone health.
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Loaded with collagen Collagen is a protein that strengthens skin, joints, gut health and more Turkey necks are brimming with this anti-aging protein
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Nutrient-dense Ounce for ounce, turkey necks contain more nutrients than white turkey breast meat
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Satiating: The combo of protein, collagen and bone makes turkey necks ultra-satisfying. They help curb appetite and cravings.
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Budget-friendly: Since most grocers price turkey necks under $2 per pound, they provide an economical way to supplement the holiday bird.
Tips for Cooking Turkey Necks
When preparing turkey necks, keep these tips in mind:
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Choose fresh or thawed necks: Ensure necks are fully defrosted if using frozen. Rinse necks before cooking.
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Trim excess skin/fat: For more tender results, trim off some of the thicker skin and excess fat before cooking. This reduces the tough, rubbery texture.
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Brown before braising: Browning enhances flavor and texture. It’s optional but recommended.
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Cook low and slow: Methods like braising, stewing and roasting work best. Low, indirect heat tenderizes the meat.
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Add liquid: Moist-heat methods and plenty of liquid prevent dryness. Water, broth or wine work well.
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Cook thoroughly: Necks need ample time to become fork-tender. Cook at least 1-3 hours.
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Season boldly: Spice and season the necks aggressively. Their rich taste handles assertive flavors.
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Use the bones: Save bones after cooking to make stock.
Follow those tips and you’ll be rewarded with succulent, fall-off-the-bone turkey neck meat! Now let’s look at 18 appetizing ways to serve them.
18 Creative Ways To Use Turkey Necks
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Smoked Turkey Necks: Smoking concentrates flavor and adds delicious char. Delightful on their own.
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Roasted Turkey Necks: Simple roasted necks make a stellar appetizer or snack. Crisp skin and juicy meat!
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Braised Turkey Necks: Braise necks in tomato sauce, wine or broth for pulled meat.
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Turkey Neck Stew: Simmer necks in a savory stew with vegetables like okra, tomatoes, potatoes and greens.
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Turkey Neck Soup: Build a nutritious soup with necks, vegetables and beans or grains.
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Turkey Neck Stock: Simmer necks to create a rich, collagen-packed stock for other recipes.
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Turkey Neck Gravy: Chop necks and simmer in gravy for extra body and big flavor.
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Turkey Neck Hash: Chop cooked necks and mix with potatoes, peppers and spices for turkey hash.
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Neck & Giblet Dressing: Mix chopped necks with classic bread and cornbread dressing.
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Turkey Neck Pot Pie: Cooked, chopped necks shine in this comforting pot pie.
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Turkey Neck Tacos: Chop or shred the meat for phenomenal turkey neck tacos!
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Neck & Rice Casserole: Incorporate chopped necks into cheesy rice or pasta casseroles.
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Smoky Turkey Neck Chili: Ground turkey neck meat makes chili next-level amazing.
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Turkey Neck Ragu: Build a hearty Italian ragu with braised ground turkey necks.
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Jambalaya with Necks: Add cubed turkey necks to jambalaya for more protein and flavor.
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Neck & Vegetable Stir Fry: Slice cooked necks and stir fry with veggies and sauce.
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Neck Fried Rice: Shredded neck meat is fantastic mixed into fried rice.
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BBQ Turkey Necks: Smoked necks slathered with your favorite barbecue sauce. Yes, please!
As you can see, the possibilities are endless with this underrated Thanksgiving ingredient. I hope these creative ideas inspire you to finally give turkey necks their due. Be adventurous this year and add one or more of these tasty turkey neck dishes into your holiday rotation. Your guests will thank you!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Here are some of my top tips and tricks to help you make the best turkey necks:
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Turkey necks should not be touching on all sides while browning, so make sure to avoid overcrowding by browning in batches.
- Place the turkey necks on the counter for 10-15 minutes to allow them to come to room temperature before browning them.
- If you’re cooking in the Instant Pot, toggle the saute level between medium and high while browning the turkey necks. This will help to ensure that the food in the bottom of the pot doesn’t burn.
- For added flavor, try swapping out ½ cup to 1 cup of the chicken stock for white wine. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc both work great as cooking wines!
How to make Smothered Turkey Necks
This turkey necks recipe only requires around 15-20 minutes of prep work; then, the Instant Pot takes care of the rest for you. To make Smothered Turkey Necks, follow these steps:
- Pat turkey necks dry with a paper towel. Add the turkey necks to a large bowl, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of Creole seasoning, then massage the spice blend into the meat.
- To brown turkey, necks set the Instant Pot to sauté mode (high). Add 1 tablespoon of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, add turkey necks and brown on all sides for 2 minutes each (total of 6 minutes).
- Set browned turkey necks aside. (Note: If you have a smaller Instant Pot, brown your turkey necks in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Divide oil and butter portions for batches).
- Lower heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the pot to melt. Once melted, add onions, celery, and bell pepper to the pot and cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic, bay leaves, sage, 1 tablespoon of Creole seasoning, and cook for an additional minute, stirring occasionally. As the moisture starts to release from the vegetables, use a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir until the flour has fully coated the vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Then, whisk in the chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and deglaze the bottom of the pan. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Add turkey necks back to the Instant Pot and arrange necks in an even layer. Seal the Instant Pot valve, secure the lid, and then set to pressure cooker mode (high). Cook for 50-60 minutes for fork-tender turkeynecks.
- When time is up, carefully press the instant release valve. Transfer turkey necks to a serving dish. Set the Instant Pot to saute mode (high) uncovered for 15 minutes. To thicken gravy, whisk cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of pot liquids in a small bowl until dissolved, then stir the slurry into the gravy. Remove bay leaves and taste the gravy—season as needed.
- Pour gravy over turkey necks, then garnish with green onions and parsley. Once done, you can serve turkey necks and gravy over rice and enjoy!
Super Tender Smothered Turkey Necks | Comfort Food | Chef AldenB
FAQ
What is the best use of turkey neck?
Can anything be done about a turkey neck?
How do you eat turkey necks?
What do you do with the neck skin of a turkey?
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.
How can I fix my neck pain?
Gentle streching, alternating ice pack with heat several times and massage can help in relieving neck pain. Mild analgesic spray, liniment or cream can also be used to relieve pain.
What goes well with turkey necks?
While your turkey neck dish could certainly be enjoyed by itself, you should also know that it actually pairs quite well with other dishes. For example, smoked turkey necks pair really well with Texas sides dishes like southern-style collard greens and nicely roasted potatoes. Or see the what sides go with turkeys necks here.
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.