Tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone smoked turkey wings deliver a traditional Thanksgiving dinner entree with an incredible twist. Easy, savory, and economical, enjoy a stress-free holiday dinner ideal for smaller family gatherings.
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The day before Thanksgiving last year, turkey went on an incredible sale that I couldn’t resist. So we stocked the freezer and started playing with new recipes. We did freeze one of them whole, but the rest we cut up into smaller family-friendly packages.
Breasts went in one package, legs and thighs in another, and the wings went on the smoker because I couldn’t wait. The smoky goodness was infused all the way to the bone; the meat was tender and juicy, and the skin was perfectly rendered. All I could say was wow!!!
Dry Rub vs. Brining
Which one you choose depends on the desired results and how much time you have. A dry-rubbed turkey can be cooked immediately, while brining takes 12-24 hours. The dry rub adds flavor at the surface and crisps up the skin better.
The advantage of brining a turkey is that the flavor, aka salt, goes deeper into the meat and helps retain moisture as it cooks for juicier results.
You could get the best of both worlds by brining the turkey, then using a dry rub. However, the risk of salty turkey is higher. So if you try it, you’ll want to use a low-salt spice blend for the rub.
How to Smoke Turkey Wings
Prep the turkey wings, make the rub, season the wings, and smoke them.
Recipe Twists
- Feel free to swap out the dry rub with Creole, jerk, or blackened seasoning.
- Swap the turkey wings for legs, and the kids will love the caveman-style drumstick.
Make-Ahead and Leftover Makeovers
Prep the turkey wings the day before so the dry rub has time to absorb into the meat. Keep them on a rack over a sheet pan in the fridge so they dry well for crispier skin.
Freeze or refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. Smoked turkey should last up to 5 days in the fridge or 4-5 months in the freezer.
Use the leftover turkey any way you’d use leftover chicken. Turkey soup, turkey lasagna, white turkey chili– you get the idea.
What Pairs Well With Smoked Turkey Wings
Any of your Thanksgiving holiday sides will work great. We love dirty rice, collard greens, and cornbread. However, green beans and potatoes, butter beans, and biscuits are always welcome.
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By Imma