What is Turkey Knuckles? A Complete Guide to This Underrated Cut

As a long-time food blogger and home cook, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting ingredients to experiment with in the kitchen. Recently, I discovered turkey knuckles – and I have to say, this underrated cut quickly became one of my new favorite proteins!

In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about turkey knuckles, including what they are, where to find them, how to cook them, and some delicious recipe ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to working with obscure cuts of meat, by the end of this article you’ll be excited to get cooking with turkey knuckles.

What Are Turkey Knuckles?

Turkey knuckles refer to the lower part of a turkey leg, right above the ankle joint. They are essentially the thigh meat that surrounds the leg bone.

You may also see them labeled as turkey hocks or turkey drumsticks. Don’t confuse knuckles with the upper leg joints near the bird’s hip – those are called turkey thighs.

Knuckles have a high ratio of meat to bone. The bone itself is small and rounded. The meat is very tender and succulent with great turkey flavor.

Benefits of Cooking With Turkey Knuckles

There are many advantages to using turkey knuckles in your cooking:

• Inexpensive – Knuckles are budget-friendly compared to pricier breast meat or turkey legs.

• Flavorful – The thigh meat has a rich, juicy taste when braised or stewed.

• Nutritious – Turkey provides lean protein, vitamins, and minerals.

• Collagen – Knuckles contain skin, cartilage and connective tissue that breaks down into gelatin when cooked slowly, resulting in silky texture.

• Versatile – Shredded knuckle meat can be used in soups, sandwiches, casseroles and more.

• Bone broth – Simmered knuckle bones make a nutrient-dense turkey broth.

Overall, turkey knuckles offer great bang for your buck along with incredible flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Let’s look at how to cook them.

How to Cook Turkey Knuckles

While the tender meat tastes great on its own, low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing or simmering really bring out the best in turkey knuckles. The extended cook time helps break down collagen for fork-tender meat that pulls right off the bone.

Some top cooking methods include:

• Oven braise – Brown knuckles then cook covered in broth at 300°F for 2-3 hours until fall-apart tender.

• Stovetop braise – Sear knuckles then gently simmer in liquid for 1-2 hours.

• Slow cooker – Add knuckles to a slow cooker with seasoning and broth. Cook on low 8-10 hours.

• Soup/stew – Gently simmer knuckles for 1-2 hours in soup or stew until meat shreds easily.

• Grill – Quick grill over medium heat 5-7 minutes per side to lightly char.

Check for doneness with a fork – the meat should shred easily when fully cooked.

Flavorful Seasonings for Turkey Knuckles

Turkey knuckles pair well with all types of herbs, spices, aromatics and other flavor-boosting ingredients. Some tasty options:

• Fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley
• Dried herbs and spices – garlic powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder
• Aromatics – onion, garlic, shallots, ginger
• Citrus – lemon, lime, orange zest and juice
• Savory sauces – soy sauce, Worcestershire, barbecue sauce
• Cajun seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Mustard
• Wine or stock

Get creative with your own signature seasoning blends to make your turkey knuckles stand out. A quick marinade also helps infuse flavor.

What Dishes to Make with Turkey Knuckles

Now for my favorite part – turning turkey knuckles into some mouthwatering meals! Here are just a few tasty ideas:

• Hearty turkey knuckle stew with potatoes and carrots
• Creamy turkey knuckle and mushroom soup
• Pulled turkey knuckle sandwiches with BBQ sauce
• Turkey knuckle and white bean chili
• Turkey knuckle confit in its own rendered fat
• Savory pot pie topped with knuckle meat
• Brunswick stew with turkey knuckles, corn and lima beans
• Fajitas with sliced grilled knuckles
• Classic turkey noodle soup with shredded knuckle meat

And don’t forget you can use the bones to make a super healthy turkey bone broth after removing the meat!

Where to Buy Turkey Knuckles

Turkey knuckles can be tricky to find since they are less common than typical breast or leg cuts. Here are some places to look:

• Specialty butcher shops or meat markets
• Ethnic grocery stores and halal markets
• Direct from local farms and turkey producers
• Online mail-order poultry companies

You may need to call ahead or special order them since inventories vary. Frozen knuckles are more widely available if you strike out finding fresh.

Storing and Handling Raw Turkey Knuckles

Follow these guidelines when handling raw turkey knuckles:

• If frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator before using. This can take 1-2 days.
• Store fresh knuckles in the fridge just 1-2 days max.
• Keep raw turkey knuckles very cold – at or below 40°F.
• Avoid washing raw knuckles, which can spread bacteria.
• Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
• Cook to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
• Refrigerate cooked knuckles within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.

Proper handling prevents illness – always play it safe with raw poultry!

Common Turkey Knuckle Questions

Here are quick answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking with turkey knuckles:

Are turkey knuckles tough?

No, they contain very tender thigh meat when cooked properly. The small bone is easy to remove after cooking.

Can you braise turkey knuckles?

Absolutely – braising is one of the best methods to make them fall-off-the-bone tender.

How long do you cook turkey knuckles?

Cook low and slow via braising, stewing or simmering for 1-3 hours until fork tender.

Can you eat turkey knuckles raw?

No, always fully cook poultry to safe temperatures to avoid illness.

Can you grill turkey knuckles?

Yes, grill over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through.

What’s the best turkey knuckle recipe?

Any recipe that involves slow braising or simmering in flavorful liquid will result in amazing knuckles!

Satisfy Your Hunger with Succulent Turkey Knuckles

From stews to sandwiches, turkey knuckles are endlessly versatile in the kitchen. Their rich flavor and tender texture when braised make them a delicious and budget-friendly alternative to pricier cuts. With proper handling and thorough cooking, turkey knuckles can be a healthy new addition to your meal planning rotation.

Links