Smoked turkey necks

Smoked Turkey Necks Recipe

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The neck is the most neglected part of the whole turkey but can be a delicious addition to your meal when smoked low and slow with Apple Wood chips. 

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Smoked Turkey Necks

Smoked turkey necks can be paired with just about any side dish, though we treat them like turkey breasts and serve them with vegetables and some carbs. Your smoked turkey necks are going to be tender, juicy and have a sweet smokey flavour so you can experiment with the flavours of your favourite side dishes to compliment your meat.

Turkey necks can be deliciously tender and flavourful when prepared and cooked correctly. If you’re looking for budget recipes or new ways to use all parts of your seasonal bird, this recipe is the perfect way to experiment with flavours and textures.

For a best recipe that will have your family drooling, read on:

How to Make Smoked Turkey Necks

Step 1: Prepare Marinade

Mix the following marinade ingredients in a bowl, or a Ziplock bag: oil, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Combine thoroughly so as to form a marinade.

Step 2: Marinate Meat

Seal the Ziplock bag or cover the mixing bowl and allow turkey necks to marinate in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Overnight is recommended, though if you’re short on time, a minimum of 1 hour will do too.

Step 3: Preheat Smoker

Preheat the smoker to 275°F/135°C and prepare your Apple Wood chips. Apple Wood is great for this recipe as it adds a sweet yet mild smokey flavour without being too overpowering, though you’re welcome to use the wood chips of your choice.

Step 4: Smoke Turkey Necks

Place your marinated turkey necks in the smoker, making sure that there is equal spacing between each cut of meat. This ensures that the meat cooks thoroughly on all sides and that the flavour will be distributed evenly.

Step 5: Reduce Heat

After your turkey necks have been smoking for 30 minutes, reduce the heat of the smoker to 180°F/82°C. This long and slow method of smoking meat gives the smoke enough time to penetrate the meat to really add that smokey sweet flavor whilst keeping in the juices. Smoking on a higher heat throughout may mean that the meat will dry up quickly and lose the natural juices.

Step 6: Rotate Turkey Necks

Although not entirely necessary as your turkey necks will be cooked throughout regardless, we recommend rotating the turkey necks every 30 minutes for a further 1.5 hours. This ensures all parts of the meat are cooked evenly and the flavors distributed.

Step 7: Serve!

Using a meat thermometer, test the thickest part of a few of your turkey necks. When your meat reaches an internal temperature of 180°F/82°C, remove your turkey necks from heat & serve.

We recommend pairing your smoked turkey necks with rice and Smoked Corn, or Smoked Sweet Potatoes.

Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Turkey Necks

These succulent, smoky treats are a flavor explosion waiting to happen. To elevate your culinary adventure, we’ve handpicked the top three types of beers that’ll dance in perfect harmony with your Smoked Turkey Necks. So, grab a cold one and get ready to embark on a flavor fiesta like no other.

Amber Ale

First up, we have the Amber Ale, a beer that knows how to complement the rich, smoky flavors of your turkey necks. Its caramel maltiness and subtle hop bitterness provide a perfect backdrop for the savory goodness of the dish. The Amber Ale’s smooth, malty sweetness enhances the smokiness and adds a touch of warmth to each bite. It’s like a cozy campfire for your taste buds, and you’ll find yourself going back for seconds (and thirds) with this pairing.

Pilsner

For a crisp and refreshing contrast to your Smoked Turkey Necks, reach for a cold Pilsner. This beer style’s light, crisp, and slightly bitter profile will cut through the richness of the turkey, cleansing your palate with each sip. The effervescence of the Pilsner enhances the smoky flavors without overwhelming them, creating a delightful harmony that’s both satisfying and refreshing. It’s like a palate-cleansing interlude in the middle of a flavor symphony, leaving you ready for the next delicious bite.

Brown Ale

Last but certainly not least, we have the Brown Ale, a beer that complements the smoky turkey necks with its nutty and slightly sweet characteristics. The malt-forward nature of a Brown Ale adds depth and complexity to the dish, enhancing the smokiness and delivering a velvety, harmonious experience. The beer’s subtle sweetness pairs beautifully with the savory turkey, creating a flavor combination that’ll have you savoring every moment. It’s like a cozy hug for your taste buds, and you won’t want this pairing to end.

Smoked turkey necks

Smoked Turkey Necks Recipe

Perfectly Smoked Turkey Necks you can try at home.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Malt Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 1 lb Turkey Necks

Instructions
 

  • Prepare marinade ingredients in a bowl and combine thoroughly.
  • Allow turkey necks to marinate in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
  • Preheat smoker to 275°F/135°C.
  • Place turkey necks in the smoker, with equal spacing between each cut.
  • After 30 minutes, reduce the heat to 180°F/82°C.
  • Rotate turkey necks every 30 minutes for a further 1.5 hours.
  • Remove turkey necks from heat & serve!
Keyword turkey

Smoked Turkey Necks FAQs

Can You Eat Smoked Turkey Necks?

Although often discarded, the turkey necks can be the most delicious part of the bird. Smoke your meat to an internal temperature of 180°F/82°C and they’re incredible and safe to eat!

What Can You Do With a Smoked Turkey Neck?

We love eating our smoked turkey necks as we would a turkey breast, though you can pair them with a huge variety of sides to compliment the sweet smokey flavour.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Turkey Necks?

If you’re smoking your turkey necks, it will take approximately 2 hours for your meat to reach the ideal internal temperature of 180°F/82°C. Other cooking methods may take more or less time, however.

How Do You Cook Frozen Turkey Necks?

It’s always best to fully thaw any meat you’re going to be eating before you cook it. Place the frozen turkey necks in cold water until it thaws fully. Change the water as often as needed.

How Long Do Turkey Necks Last?

After smoking your turkey necks, you can refrigerate them and they will last for up to four days. If you’re planning on freezing your smoked turkey necks, wrap tightly and they will last for up to three months.

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