Smoked turkey necks are a versatile and flavorful ingredient that adds a delicious twist to various dishes. When combined with collard greens, they create a soulful and comforting meal loved by many. In this article, I will instruct you on how to cook smoked turkey necks in 4 different ways.
1. How To Cook Smoked Turkey Necks on Stove
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked turkey necks
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb collard greens, washed and chopped (optional)
Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute, until fragrant.
Place the smoked turkey necks in the pot and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side to enhance their flavor.
Pour the chicken broth over the turkey necks, ensuring they are mostly submerged. Then add the bay leaf and dried thyme to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the turkey necks are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Optional: If using collard greens, add them to the pot. Stir them into the broth and turkey necks. Cover the pot and cook for an additional 30 minutes until the collard greens are tender.
Once done, remove the bay leaf and serve the tender and smoky turkey necks over rice or alongside your favorite side dishes.
2. How To Cook Smoked Turkey Necks in Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked turkey necks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
In a large oven-safe casserole dish or roasting pan, drizzle the olive oil and spread it evenly. Next, add the sliced onions to the dish and scatter the minced garlic on top. Then place the smoked turkey necks over the onions and garlic.
In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, smoked paprika, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Next, pour the broth mixture over the turkey necks, ensuring they are partially submerged. Then cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the turkey necks are tender and succulent.
Once done, transfer the turkey necks to a serving platter, and you can strain the cooking liquid to use as a flavorful sauce.
Serve the tender smoked turkey necks with your favorite side dishes and drizzle the sauce over the top for an extra burst of flavor.
3. How To Cook Smoked Turkey Necks in Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked turkey necks
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn soft and translucent. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Then transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to the crockpot.
Place the smoked turkey necks on top of the onion mixture.
In a separate bowl, combine the chicken broth, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Then pour the broth mixture over the turkey necks in the crockpot, ensuring they are mostly covered.
Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, or until the turkey necks are tender and infused with flavor.
Once done, carefully remove the turkey necks from the crockpot and serve them over your favorite side dishes.
Optionally, you can use the remaining liquid as a tasty broth for soups or stews.
4. How To Cook Smoked Turkey Necks in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked turkey necks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and heat the olive oil.
Add the diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Place the smoked turkey necks in the Instant Pot.
In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, dried thyme, ground allspice, salt, and pepper. Then pour the broth mixture over the turkey necks in the Instant Pot.
Close the pressure release valve, secure the lid, and set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
Carefully open the lid and transfer the tender smoked turkey necks to a serving platter.
Serve the turkey necks hot with your favorite side dishes or use them as a delicious addition to soups and stews.
By learning to cook smoked turkey necks, you can be transforming this humble ingredient into a star of the meal. So, experiment with all ways to cook smoked turkey necks in this article and choose your favorite way.
