For as long as I can remember, my mom has prepared broth for gravy using turkey necks.
Simmering turkey necks with veggies and savory seasonings makes a richly flavored broth that’s whisked into delicious velvety gravy!
This gravy has so much flavor, plus it lets the chef use up the whole turkey.
The turkey neck, also known as the gobbler, is an often overlooked part of the Thanksgiving bird While many home cooks toss it out or leave it behind, this tender, flavorful cut of meat is worthy of a spot on your holiday table. With a little creativity, the humble turkey neck can transform into appetizers, main dishes, sides, soups and more Read on for 15 delicious ways to use up this Thanksgiving leftover.
Make Flavorful Turkey Broth and Gravy
One of the best uses for a turkey neck is to make homemade turkey broth. Simmering the neck bones with vegetables like onions, carrots and celery releases their rich concentrated flavor. Strain the broth and you have an incredible base for soups gravy and more. Making your own broth lets you use up the entire bird frugally. Reserve extra broth in batches to use later.
Once you’ve made turkey neck broth, turn it into the most amazing gravy! Whisk in some flour to thicken then simmer briefly. The natural gelatin from the turkey neck gives the gravy incredible body without thickeners. Drizzle over your Thanksgiving leftovers or classic mashed potatoes.
Braise For Succulent Shredded Turkey
Braise the turkey neck low and slow in broth until fall-off-the-bone tender. Shred the meat and use it to top salads, fold into tacos stuff sandwiches or blend into soups. The braised meat has a rich, succulent texture perfect for adding flavor. Try it in enchiladas chili, baked pasta and more.
Craft Hearty Turkey Neck Soup
Simmer turkey neck bones into broth, remove meat, then whisk in milk or cream for a creamy base. Add potatoes, shredded turkey, veggies and seasonings. This comforting, frugal soup stretches leftovers into an easy weeknight meal. Garnish with parsley, green onion or crispy bacon.
Fry Up Crispy Turkey Neck Confit
Simmer the neck in turkey fat or oil until very tender. Refrigerate, then slice and fry until crispy. Use confit turkey neck to top salads, tacos, snacks and more. The crispy, fatty bits are irresistibly delicious.
Make Delicious Turkey Neck Dumpling Soup
Cut cooked turkey neck meat into pieces and add to homemade broth with veggies. Make simple dough dumplings and drop them in to cook. The dumplings soak up the amazing flavor. Add herbs, ginger and seasonings too. It’s a comforting, thrifty soup.
Create Savory Stuffed Turkey Neck
Debone the raw turkey neck, leaving skin intact. Fill with your favorite stuffing or cornbread dressing. Sew up, then braise or simmer until cooked through and heated. Sliced stuffed turkey neck makes a fun app or addition to your leftovers spread.
Turn Into Hearty Turkey Neck Chili
Cook beans until tender, add chopped turkey neck meat, tomatoes, spices, veggies and more. Simmer until thickened and flavors meld. Top with cheese, onions, avocado or cornbread. Turkey neck chili is budget-friendly comfort food.
Whip Up Delicious Turkey Neck Tacos
Shred braised turkey neck meat and get creative with tacos! Sauté with veggies for fajitas, add salsa verde or mole sauce for Mexican flair or barbecue sauce for Southern style. Pile into tortillas and top with all your favorites. Easy, fun and customizable!
Make a Savory Pot Pie
Braise turkey neck chunks until tender, then combine with peas, carrots, pearl onions and your favorite veggies. Top the filling with a simple biscuit dough before baking. The turkey neck and vegetables in broth make a rich, delicious filling and the crust soaks up the gravy.
Craft Turkey Neck & Veggie Soup
Use your turkey neck broth to make a hearty veggie soup. Simmer carrots, potatoes, onions, cabbage, kale and more until tender. Add shredded turkey meat at the end and season. Hearty, healthy and comforting!
Turn Into Savory Turkey Neck Hash
Sauté onions, potatoes, spinach and turkey neck meat until lightly browned. Turkey neck hash makes a tasty breakfast or dinner. Top with a fried egg for extra richness. Simple, satisfying and budget-friendly.
Create a Fun Turkey Neck Appetizer Board
Get creative with bite-sized turkey neck preparations like wraps, sliders, meatballs, confit and more. Arrange on a board with pickles, cheese, fruit and toasted bread for an impressive apps spread. Your guests will love the creative flavors and textures!
With a little skill and creativity, you can give this humble leftover a delicious second life in all kinds of dishes. This Thanksgiving, transform that turkey neck into rich, savory meals your family will love.
Ingredients for Turkey Neck Gravy
Turkey Necks – Save the necks and giblets that are often packed in the cavity of the turkey! Most grocers will sell turkey necks separately, or you can order them in advance. Necks should be thawed before browning.
Vegetables – Much like making turkey broth or stock, vegetables add flavor.
Broth – Our family has always made this using reduced-sodium broth with the necks for an intense and flavorful gravy. If you’d prefer, you can use water and add bouillon cubes, but we do find boxed broth to give the best results.
Seasonings/Herbs – Use fresh herbs if you have them. If not, dried herbs are just as good in this gravy recipe.
Save the drippings (both the fat and the juices) from roasting the turkey!
Use the fat in place of butter, and be sure to scrape up any brown bits with a wooden spoon and cook them into the broth for more flavor!
What Are Turkey Necks?
- Turkey necks are dark meat which is flavor packed. When preparing a whole turkey for roasting, the neck and giblets are often inside and should be removed before roasting.
- In this recipe, turkey necks are browned for flavor and used to make broth. You can add the giblets too if you’d like.
- The simmering part of this recipe can be done months ahead (and frozen), so the gravy is easy to prepare at meal time.
- You can buy packages of turkey necks in the refrigerator or freezer section of most grocery stores, they’re fairly inexpensive. If you don’t see them, ask the grocer.
How to Boil Turkey Neck & Giblets: Cooking with Kimberly
FAQ
What should I do with my turkey neck?
Make Stock or Broth: The neck is great for adding flavor to homemade turkey stock. Simply simmer it with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, along with herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. This stock can be used for gravy or soups.
What is turkey neck meat good for?
Turkey neck is mainly used in cooking, mainly to make broth or gravy, as it adds a lot of flavors to these preparations. It is rare to serve the neck by itself.
Should I save the turkey neck?
Turkey Necks – Save the necks and giblets that are often packed in the cavity of the turkey! Most grocers will sell turkey necks separately, or you can order them in advance. Necks should be thawed before browning. Vegetables – Much like making turkey broth or stock, vegetables add flavor.
What can I do with the turkey neck and giblets?
When preparing your turkey, do not throw out the turkey neck & gizzards(heart, liver and any other little bits your found tucked inside the bird!These parts will help you make a lovely bone broth to create the BEST GRAVY for your meal.
What can I do if I have a turkey neck?
Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist. Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck. “The muscles become tight and enlarged,” Dr. Newman explains.
How do you cook a turkey neck?
Cut the neck and backbone up and add them to a large saucepan along with the remaining giblets. Add the chicken or turkey broth along with the chopped vegetables and a few sprigs of herbs. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes. Strain the stock mixture and discard the solids.
Is it possible to tighten a turkey neck?
Yes, it’s more than possible to tighten sagging neck skin that causes the dreaded turkey neck. But the time it takes to get rid of a turkey neck depends on age, skin elasticity, and body composition. Younger people will have stronger skin elasticity and are less likely to have UV damage, making it easier to tighten loose neck skin.