Discover the ultimate recipe for unbelievably tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks, slow-cooked to perfection in your Crockpot. This classic Southern comfort food is deeply seasoned, delivering a rich, savory flavor that’s ideal for cherished holiday gatherings, heartwarming Sunday dinners, or any occasion when you crave a truly satisfying meal. Prepare to transform humble turkey necks into a culinary masterpiece that will delight your taste buds and earn rave reviews.
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Table of Contents
What Are Turkey Necks?
Turkey necks are a flavorful, often overlooked cut of poultry that Southern cuisine has long celebrated. Comprising a rich blend of bone, connective tissue, and tender meat, they are a powerhouse of flavor and texture when cooked correctly. Far from being merely a byproduct, turkey necks offer a unique opportunity to create deeply savory dishes, such as hearty soups, rich stews, foundational broths, or, as in this recipe, a magnificent main course. Often found in packs of three or more, these necks are typically sold without feathers and sometimes pre-cut into smaller, more manageable pieces by your butcher or grocer. When slow-cooked, the magic truly happens: the tough collagen breaks down, rendering the meat incredibly tender, succulent, and literally falling off the bone. This transformation makes them a highly sought-after component for robust, comforting meals.
Why Slow Cook Turkey Necks?
The slow cooker is an ideal vessel for preparing turkey necks, a cut of meat that benefits immensely from low and slow cooking. Unlike lean cuts of poultry, turkey necks contain a significant amount of collagen and connective tissue. High heat applied quickly would result in tough, chewy meat. However, when subjected to gentle, prolonged heat in a slow cooker, this collagen gradually breaks down into gelatin, infusing the meat with moisture and creating that characteristic “fall-off-the-bone” tenderness. This method also allows the deep, smoky, and savory flavors of your chosen seasonings to thoroughly penetrate the meat, resulting in an exceptionally rich and satisfying dish. Plus, the hands-off nature of slow cooking means you can achieve gourmet results with minimal effort, freeing up your time while dinner practically cooks itself.
Where to Find Them
Finding turkey necks is often easier than you might think, especially in areas where Southern cuisine is popular. Most local grocery stores, particularly those with a well-stocked meat department, will carry them. Look in the poultry section, usually alongside other turkey parts like wings or legs, or sometimes in the freezer aisle. If your regular supermarket doesn’t have them, consider checking specialty markets, butcher shops, or even larger international or Asian grocery stores, which often feature a wider array of cuts. Don’t hesitate to ask your butcher; they can often order them for you if they aren’t regularly stocked. When selecting turkey necks, look for those that appear fresh, with a healthy, natural color. If possible, choose necks that still have a good amount of meat on the bone for the most succulent results.
Essential Ingredients and Seasoning Tips
The beauty of this slow cooker turkey neck recipe lies in its simplicity and the power of robust seasonings. Beyond the star ingredient, raw turkey necks, you’ll need just a few key components to bring this dish to life. Olive oil acts as a binder for your spices and helps achieve a beautiful sear if you choose to brown them beforehand (though it’s not strictly necessary for slow cooking). Creole seasoning is a cornerstone of Southern cooking, offering a complex blend of herbs and spices that perfectly complements turkey. Smoked paprika adds a delightful depth and a hint of smoky flavor, enhancing the overall profile. Don’t forget salt and pepper, which are fundamental for balancing and amplifying all the other flavors. Finally, a cup of broth—whether turkey, chicken, or vegetable—creates a flavorful liquid base for the slow cooking process, ensuring the necks remain incredibly moist and the resulting juices are perfect for spooning over rice or potatoes. Feel free to customize your seasoning blend to your preference; a homemade rub or your favorite poultry seasoning would also work wonderfully. The goal is to build layers of flavor that will simmer and meld over hours, creating an unforgettable meal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Necks: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delicious slow cooker turkey neck dish is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal active cooking time. Here’s a detailed guide to walk you through each step:
- Prepare the Turkey Necks: Begin by thoroughly patting the raw turkey necks dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it helps the seasonings adhere better to the meat and contributes to a more flavorful result. Drizzle both sides of the necks generously with olive oil, ensuring they are lightly coated.
- Seasoning for Flavor: Next, liberally sprinkle your chosen spices—Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper—onto both sides of the turkey necks. Massage the seasonings into the meat to ensure even distribution. Don’t be shy with the spices; the slow cooking process will allow these flavors to deeply infuse the turkey.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Pour one cup of broth (chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth all work well) into the bottom of your slow cooker. This liquid will provide moisture and create a flavorful steaming environment for the turkey necks.
- Arrange the Turkey Necks: Carefully place the seasoned turkey necks into the slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer if possible, or stacking them gently if your slow cooker is smaller. Ensure they are nestled comfortably in the broth.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook. For quicker results, cook on High for 4-5 hours. For truly exceptional tenderness, which I highly recommend, cook on Low for 7-8 hours. The longer, gentler cook time allows the connective tissues to break down completely, resulting in incredibly succulent meat that practically melts in your mouth.
- Check for Doneness: Always ensure the turkey reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone, to get an accurate reading. The meat should also be easily shreddable and visibly falling off the bone.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey necks from the slow cooker. Be gentle, as they will be extremely tender and may easily separate from the bone. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes and a generous drizzle of the savory pan juices.
Achieving Perfect Tenderness: Cook Time and Temperatures
The key to truly delicious slow cooker turkey necks is patience. The goal is not just to cook them through, but to cook them until they reach an unparalleled level of tenderness where the meat simply yields and falls away from the bone. This typically requires an extended cooking period, making the slow cooker the perfect tool for the job. Generally, you’ll want to cook them for 4-5 hours on the HIGH setting or 7-8 hours on the LOW setting. While cooking on HIGH is faster, choosing the LOW setting for a longer duration often yields superior results, allowing the flavors to deepen and the connective tissues to break down more thoroughly, resulting in incredibly succulent and moist meat.
How to Tell When the Turkey is Done
Beyond the visual cue of meat easily falling off the bone, it’s crucial to confirm doneness for food safety. The most reliable method is using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey neck, being careful to avoid hitting any bone, as this can give an inaccurate reading. According to the USDA, all poultry, including turkey necks, must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) to be safe for consumption. Even if the meat is tender and looks cooked, always verify with a thermometer for peace of mind. Visual cues, such as the meat being opaque throughout and easily pulling apart, should accompany the temperature reading for complete assurance.
Can You Use Turkey Legs or Turkey Wings?
While this recipe is specifically crafted for turkey necks, the slow-cooking method is versatile and can be adapted for other turkey cuts. Turkey legs and wings also benefit from low and slow cooking, resulting in tender, flavorful meat. However, their bone-to-meat ratio and overall structure differ, meaning slight adjustments to cook time or liquid might be necessary. For dedicated recipes tailored to these popular cuts, check out my specific guides:
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Legs
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Wings
These recipes provide precise instructions to ensure your turkey legs or wings turn out just as succulent and delicious as these slow-cooked necks.
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Proper storage is essential to enjoy your delicious slow-cooked turkey necks safely and maintain their quality. Once cooked, allow the turkey necks to cool completely to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from building up, which can lead to bacterial growth and affect texture. Place the cooled turkey necks and any remaining savory cooking liquid in an airtight container. When stored correctly in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. For reheating, simply warm them gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through, adding a splash of broth if they seem a little dry.
Freezer Tips for Extended Enjoyment
If you’ve made a larger batch or want to save some for future meals, freezing is an excellent option. For optimal taste and texture, ensure the turkey necks are tightly covered and sealed in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. This helps prevent freezer burn and preserves their flavor. Label your containers with the date for easy tracking. Frozen turkey necks will maintain their best quality for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply transfer the frozen necks to the refrigerator and allow them to defrost overnight. Once thawed, reheat them using the same gentle methods as refrigerated leftovers, adding a little extra broth if needed to restore moisture.
Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings
Slow-cooked turkey necks, with their rich flavor and tender meat, deserve to be paired with comforting side dishes that complement their Southern charm. Here are some fantastic options to create a complete and satisfying meal:
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Ranch Mashed Potatoes
- Southern Green Beans
- Southern Collard Greens
- Baked Corn on the Cob
- Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Neck Bones
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Oxtails
- Fluffy white rice to soak up all the delicious pan juices.
- Cornbread or dinner rolls for dipping.
More Turkey and Poultry Recipes
If you’re a fan of turkey and other poultry, explore these other fantastic recipes that celebrate different cuts and cooking methods:
- Baked Turkey Wings
- Smothered Turkey Wings
- Air Fryer Turkey Wings
- Smoked Turkey Wings
- Traeger Smoked Turkey
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Duck
- Crockpot Slow Cooker Bone-in Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Necks
By Brandi Crawford
This Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Necks recipe is seasoned to perfection and then slow cooked to produce tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat. This is a classic Southern meal perfect for holidays and Sunday dinners.
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 ½ – 2 pounds raw turkey necks Not smoked or previously cooked.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Creole Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup broth Any broth, turkey, chicken, vegetable, etc.
Instructions
- Pat the turkey necks dry. Drizzle both sides of the necks with olive oil and then sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the necks.
- Pour the broth into the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the seasoned turkey necks over the broth.
- Cook on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 7-8 hours. (I prefer to cook them on Low for really tender turkey.) Ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer.
- Remove the turkey necks from the slow cooker. (Be careful! They will be tender and may fall off the bone.)
Notes
This recipe is easily scalable; adjust the quantity of ingredients to suit the capacity of your slow cooker and the number of servings desired.
Feel free to customize the seasoning to your liking. Your favorite poultry rub or a homemade blend of herbs and spices will work wonderfully.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 pound | Calories: 622 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 92g | Fat: 26g
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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