Unlock the secret to perfectly tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey wings with this incredibly simple slow cooker recipe. Cooking turkey wings in a Crockpot is not only effortless but also guarantees a moist and flavorful result every single time. Forget dry, tough turkey; with this method, your wings will be so succulent they practically melt in your mouth. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or a delightful meal prep, these slow cooker turkey wings are an absolute game-changer. For an extra layer of comfort and flavor, don’t hesitate to smother them in a rich, homemade gravy using the delicious pan drippings!
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While there are many excellent ways to prepare turkey wings, the slow cooker method stands out as a true favorite. Its “set it and forget it” convenience, combined with the unparalleled tenderness it achieves, makes it a top choice for any home cook. Imagine simply adding a few key ingredients along with your turkey wings to your slow cooker in the morning, and returning hours later to a kitchen filled with the aroma of perfectly cooked, juicy turkey. It’s the easiest path to achieving that coveted fall-off-the-bone texture that everyone loves.
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Why We Love Slow Cooker Turkey Wings
For many, preparing a whole turkey can be an overwhelming task, often resulting in more meat than needed or unevenly cooked portions. This is where turkey wings shine! They offer a convenient, manageable, and incredibly delicious alternative, perfect for smaller gatherings or when you simply crave that rich, savory turkey flavor without the fuss. A common complaint about turkey is its tendency to dry out, but turkey wings, especially when slow-cooked, are inherently juicy due to their higher fat content and bone-in structure. This recipe guarantees succulent meat that stays moist and tender, making it an ideal centerpiece for any meal. They are also often more cost-effective and easier to find than a whole turkey, providing an accessible option for year-round enjoyment.
Finding The Best Turkey Wings: Where to Buy
Locating turkey wings is typically straightforward, though availability can sometimes vary by season. Many major grocery chains, such as those carrying Butterball and Jenni-O brands, often stock turkey wings year-round in their poultry or frozen meat sections. However, during the fall and holiday seasons, their availability tends to increase significantly. If you’re struggling to find them at your usual supermarket, don’t hesitate to check local butcher shops. Butchers are often an excellent resource, not only for fresh, high-quality turkey wings but also for advice on selection and preparation. Additionally, larger wholesale clubs or specialty meat markets might offer them in bulk or as part of a wider selection of poultry cuts. When purchasing, look for wings that appear plump and have a healthy color, whether fresh or frozen.
Whole or Split Turkey Wings: Which to Choose?
The choice between whole or split turkey wings largely comes down to personal preference and desired cooking outcome. Both work beautifully in the slow cooker, but understanding their differences can enhance your cooking experience.
A turkey wing is typically composed of three distinct parts:
- The Drumette: This section resembles a miniature drumstick and generally boasts the most meat. It’s primarily dark meat, offering a slightly richer and juicier bite than the wingette.
- The Wingette (or Flat): The middle section, characterized by two thin bones running horizontally through it, with meat nestled in between. Due to its thinner profile, the wingette tends to crisp up more easily, especially if you finish the wings under a broiler or in an air fryer.
- The Wing Tip: While it contains very little meat and flavor, the wing tip isn’t entirely useless! It’s an excellent component to save for making flavorful homemade broths or stocks, adding depth to your culinary creations.
If you opt for whole wings, they’ll cook to an incredibly tender state. However, splitting them into drumettes and wingettes can lead to a more even cooking temperature across all pieces and facilitate a more uniform browning of the skin, should you choose to crisp them up at the end. You can easily separate the wings yourself by locating the elbow joint and cutting through it to detach the drumette from the wingette. From there, you can also remove the wing tip if you prefer, creating neat, ready-to-cook flats.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Wings
Achieving succulent, flavorful turkey wings in your slow cooker is incredibly straightforward. The detailed measurements and full instructions for this delightful recipe are provided in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick overview of the simple process:
- Prepare the Turkey: Begin by patting your turkey wings (or legs) thoroughly dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the olive oil and seasonings adhere better, creating a more flavorful crust. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over both sides of the wings, ensuring they are well coated. Then, sprinkle your chosen spices evenly across all surfaces.
- Season Thoroughly: Using your hands, gently but firmly rub the spice mixture into every crevice of the turkey wings. This ensures that each bite is packed with robust flavor. Don’t be shy; make sure the spices completely cover both sides of each wing. If needed, add a little more seasoning to achieve full coverage.
- Set Up the Slow Cooker: Pour approximately one cup of broth (chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth all work well) into the bottom of your slow cooker. This liquid will create a moist cooking environment and contribute to delicious drippings for gravy later. Carefully place the seasoned turkey wings over the broth, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer if possible, or stacked loosely to allow for even cooking.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and let the magic happen. The low and slow cooking process is what transforms the turkey wings into incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone delights. Once cooked, you can optionally finish them under a broiler or in an air fryer for a crispy skin.
Perfect Cook Time for Tender Turkey Wings
The beauty of slow cooking lies in its flexibility and ability to produce exceptionally tender meat. These turkey wings adhere to standard slow cooker guidelines, offering two convenient options for your schedule:
- On Low Heat: For the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth turkey, cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours. This extended cooking time allows the connective tissues to break down slowly, resulting in unparalleled juiciness and a texture where the meat effortlessly falls away from the bone. This is generally the preferred method for maximum tenderness.
- On High Heat: If you’re short on time, you can cook the turkey wings on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. While still producing tender results, the texture may be slightly less “fall-apart” compared to the low setting. Always ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature, regardless of the setting used.
Remember, the goal is always to reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the wing, as verified with a meat thermometer, for food safety.
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Wings
Brandi Crawford
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15
8
8 15
dinner, lunch
American
4 servings
585 kcal
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Equipment
- Slow Cooker: Essential for achieving tender, moist turkey wings with minimal effort.
- Meat Thermometer: Crucial for ensuring the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature for consumption.
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds turkey wings Whole or split, fresh or thawed.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil Or any cooking oil of your choice, enough to coat each wing.
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar or sweetener Adds a hint of sweetness and helps with browning.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder For a subtle warmth and earthy flavor.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder Adds a savory depth.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder A staple for rich flavor.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Provides a beautiful color and a smoky aroma.
- salt and pepper to taste Adjust to your preference.
- 1 cup broth Chicken, vegetable, or turkey broth all work well to keep the wings moist.
Instructions
- Pat the turkey wings dry with paper towels to ensure seasoning adheres well. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the wings, then sprinkle your chosen spices generously. Thoroughly rub the spice mixture into all surfaces of the wings, ensuring complete coverage. Add more spices if necessary to achieve a robust flavor profile.
- Pour 1 cup of broth into the bottom of your slow cooker. This liquid will provide moisture and create flavorful drippings. Carefully arrange the seasoned turkey wings over the broth in a single layer if possible, or stacked loosely.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or on LOW for 6-8 hours. For truly tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey, the LOW setting is highly recommended. Always verify doneness by ensuring the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a reliable meat thermometer.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey wings from the slow cooker. Be gentle, as they will be incredibly tender and the meat may easily fall off the bone.
- For an optional crispy skin, transfer the wings to an air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes, or place them on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5wing
Calories: 585kcal
Protein: 60g
Fat: 24g
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Nutrition Data
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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Ensuring Doneness: How to Tell When Your Turkey is Cooked
Food safety is paramount when cooking poultry. The only reliable way to confirm your turkey wings are fully cooked and safe to eat is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of one of the turkey wings, making sure it doesn’t touch any bone. According to the USDA, all poultry, including turkey wings, must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, harmful bacteria are destroyed, ensuring a safe and delicious meal. While visual cues like clear juices and opaque meat can be indicators, a thermometer provides an accurate and precise reading, leaving no room for doubt.
Elevate Your Meal: How to Smother Wings in Rich Gravy
One of the best ways to enhance these already delicious slow cooker turkey wings is to smother them in a luxurious, homemade gravy. The secret to an exceptionally flavorful gravy lies in the turkey drippings left in the Crockpot after cooking. These drippings are packed with savory goodness that forms the perfect base. To create this comforting gravy, you’ll combine butter and olive oil in a saucepan, then whisk in flour to create a roux. This roux is then slowly cooked until golden, forming the thickening agent. Next, you’ll gradually incorporate the aromatic turkey drippings from your slow cooker, along with additional broth for volume and heavy cream for an incredibly rich and velvety texture. A dash of smoked paprika and garlic powder can further elevate the flavor profile, creating a super thick, incredibly rich, and deeply comforting gravy that transforms your tender turkey wings into an unforgettable culinary experience. Serve it generously over the wings, alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a truly hearty meal.
Creative Seasoning Ideas for Your Turkey Wings
The beauty of turkey wings lies in their versatility, making them a perfect canvas for a wide array of flavors. While our basic rub is fantastic, don’t hesitate to get creative with your seasoning to match your cravings. Here are some more ideas to inspire your next slow cooker turkey wings:
- Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub: For a sweet, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor that evokes classic backyard barbecue.
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning: Perfect if you’re craving a bold, spicy, and aromatic kick, reminiscent of Cajun cuisine.
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning: A creamy, herbaceous, and zesty option that adds a familiar and beloved flavor profile.
- Cajun Seasoning: For those who love a robust, spicy, and savory blend with a hint of Southern flair.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Offers a bright, zesty, and peppery punch that pairs wonderfully with poultry.
Each of these seasonings will infuse your turkey wings with a unique character, allowing you to customize your meal effortlessly.
Can You Substitute Turkey Legs or Drumsticks?
Absolutely! This slow cooker method is equally fantastic for cooking turkey legs or drumsticks. The low and slow cooking process works wonders on these cuts, rendering them incredibly tender and juicy, much like the wings. The cooking time typically remains the same as for turkey wings, but always remember to ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety. For a dedicated guide, be sure to check out our detailed Slow Cooker Turkey Legs recipe for specific tips and tricks tailored to drumsticks.
Can You Use Chicken Wings Instead?
Yes, this recipe can certainly be adapted for chicken wings or even chicken drumsticks! The slow cooker will impart incredible tenderness and flavor to chicken as well. While the cooking method is similar, you might find that chicken wings cook slightly faster than their larger turkey counterparts. Always test for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Adjust cooking times as needed, but the general principle of slow cooking for maximum juiciness remains the same.
More Delicious Turkey Wing Recipes
If you’re a fan of turkey wings, you’ll love exploring these alternative cooking methods to achieve different textures and flavors:
- Baked Turkey Wings
- Smothered Turkey Wings
- Air Fryer Turkey Wings
- Smoked Turkey Wings
Explore More Turkey Recipes
Turkey is a versatile protein that can be enjoyed in countless ways beyond just wings. Here are more fantastic turkey recipes to inspire your cooking:
- Traeger Smoked Turkey
- Crockpot Slow Cooker Bone-in Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Turkey Legs
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey
- Leftover Turkey Chili
- Leftover Turkey Nachos
- Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
- Turkey Bone Broth Recipe
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Stuffed Turkey Legs
- Turkey and Cheese Sliders
To create a truly unforgettable meal, pair these incredible slow cooker turkey wings with our:
- Squash Dressing
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
- Turkey Gravy From Drippings
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