Find out how to cook smoked turkey necks on the stove until they are so tender that they fall off the bone! This recipe is perfect for the holidays or any night of the week because the turkey necks are already smoked. The combination of rich smoky flavor and tender melt-in-your-mouth meat is so good!.
Turkey is often served for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you might not want to cook a whole turkey this year. On days like these, I like to serve turkey necks, legs, wings, or other parts of the bird. These smaller portions are much simpler to prepare and they are more enjoyable for everyone.
Necks of turkey are a cheap cut of meat that tastes a lot like oxtails but doesn’t cost as much.
An easy way to prepare smoked turkey necks is on the stove. The necks taste even better when cooked with chicken broth, onions, and garlic, and the meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. This recipe takes a while to cook but its very hands-off and well worth the wait!.
Find out how to cook smoked turkey necks on the stove until they are so tender that they fall off the bone! This recipe is perfect for the holidays or any night of the week because the turkey necks are already smoked. The combination of rich smoky flavor and tender melt-in-your-mouth meat is so good!.
Leftovers: To store smoked turkey necks for up to three to four days, put them in a container that won’t let air in and put it in the fridge.
Put them in a pot with a little water or broth, cover it, and heat them over low to medium heat on the stove until they are hot all the way through. You can also put them in a dish that can go in the microwave and cover it. Check and stir them every minute to make sure they heat up evenly.
Smoked turkey is a delicious and savory centerpiece for many holiday meals and family gatherings. The rich, smoky flavor pairs perfectly with traditional side dishes and can take a turkey dinner to the next level. However, enjoying those leftovers can pose some challenges. Reheating smoked turkey in the oven often leads to dried-out meat. Many people wonder, can you boil smoked turkey? The answer is a resounding yes!
Boiling smoked turkey is an easy, foolproof way to reheat it while keeping the meat incredibly moist and tender. The gentle heat of a simmering pot of broth allows the turkey to soak up all that wonderful flavor. Boiling also enables the smoky taste to penetrate even further into the meat. If you have some leftover smoked turkey waiting in the fridge, boiling is your best bet for enjoying it again.
Why Boil Smoked Turkey?
There are several key reasons why boiling smoked turkey is the ideal reheating method:
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Retains moisture The moist environment prevents the turkey meat from drying out, Smoked turkey can quickly become leathery and tough when roasted or baked again,
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Infuses flavor: Allowing the turkey to simmer in broth gives it the chance to absorb all that tasty flavor. Herbs and spices can also be added to the pot.
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Breaks down connective tissues: The gentle boiling helps tenderize the meat by dissolving collagen. This leaves the turkey juicy and succulent.
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It’s hands-off: Once you’ve assembled the pot, boiling just requires letting it simmer away. No need to monitor an oven.
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Adds versatility Shredded boiled turkey can be used in soups sandwiches casseroles. and more!
Boiling is really the easiest, low-effort way to get the most out of a smoked turkey. The results are phenomenally moist meat and the ability to savor that smoky essence even after the initial meal.
How to Choose a Smoked Turkey for Boiling
When selecting a smoked turkey to boil, keep the following tips in mind:
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Weight: Opt for a smaller turkey breast or turkey pieces that are 5 lbs or less. Large whole turkeys are difficult to boil properly.
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Pre-cooked and smoked: Ensure the turkey is fully cooked and smoked when you purchase it. Raw turkey needs very different cooking.
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Low sodium: Look for low or reduced sodium smoked turkey to better control the saltiness.
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Skin on or off: Choose your preference, but skin-on turkey will yield crispier skin when boiled.
Stick within those guidelines, and you’ll have delicious smoked turkey ready for boiling.
Step-by-Step Guide to Boiling Smoked Turkey
Boiling smoked turkey is simple with just a few easy steps:
Ingredients:
- 3-5 lbs smoked turkey breast or pieces
- 4 cups turkey or chicken broth
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- Herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage (optional)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Rinse the turkey under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey into a large pot and add the broth, vegetables, and any herbs.
- Bring the broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cover the pot and allow the turkey to simmer for 30-60 minutes until heated through and fork tender.
- Check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- Remove the turkey from the broth and serve warm. Season with salt and pepper.
That’s all it takes for delicious boiled smoked turkey! The flavorful broth does all the work.
Tips for Perfect Results Every Time
Use these tips for the best boiled smoked turkey:
- Simmer gently; rapid boiling can make the meat rubbery.
- Boil for up to 2 hours for turkey that shreds easily.
- Use low sodium broth and season the turkey lightly after cooking.
- Try adding garlic, onions, carrots, celery or other vegetables to the broth.
- Save the broth to make soups or gravy.
- Shred the turkey for versatile use in casseroles, tacos, sandwiches, and more!
Answers to Common Boiled Turkey Questions
Is it safe to boil fully cooked smoked turkey?
Yes, as long as proper food safety guidelines are followed such as maintaining correct temperatures. The boil helps ensure thorough, even heating.
Does boiling make smoked turkey more tender?
Absolutely! The moist heat from boiling helps break down the connective tissues that can make smoked turkey tough.
How should I store leftover boiled turkey?
Let the boiled turkey cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days. It also freezes well for longer storage.
Satisfy Your Smoked Turkey Cravings
Boiling is clearly one of the best cooking methods for enjoying smoked turkey to its fullest potential. The simmering liquid locks in moisture and gives the turkey a chance to absorb even more smoky richness. Follow the steps above for tender, juicy leftover turkey that makes for delicious sandwiches, soups, and casseroles. Next time you have the leftovers of a special smoked turkey meal, give boiling a try. It’s simple, foolproof, and insanely tasty.
How to cook already smoked turkey necks
Before cooking its important to prep your smoked turkey necks properly. Start by placing them in a colander or sieve. Under cool running water, gently rinse each turkey neck, removing any surface salt or impurities. Using paper towels, pat each neck dry, eliminating as much moisture as possible.
Once you’re ready to cook the turkey necks, choose a large pot or pan with a heavy bottom that’s big enough to fit the necks comfortably. Add the turkey necks to this pot.
Coarsely chopped onion comes next; these pieces dont need to be uniform but should be peeled and quartered. Crush a bunch of whole, unpeeled garlic cloves with the side of a knife and add them to the mix.
Pour in enough water to submerge the turkey necks fully or almost all the way. If youre using water, you have the freedom to toss in any herbs or spices for added flavor.
Place the pot on a high heat burner, occasionally stirring as the contents heat. When a rolling boil is achieved, adjust the stove to a lower setting to maintain a gentle simmer. Remember, a hard boil can toughen your meat.
Cover your pot, leaving a slight gap for steam to escape. This step will make sure there is no messy overflows. Let the turkey necks simmer in this state for about 1. 5 to 2 hours.
Its wise to check in occasionally, stirring gently and ensuring the liquid doesnt evaporate excessively. If it does, add a little more liquid to keep everything submerged. The cooking process is complete when the meat is tender enough to pull away from the bone easily.
After the simmering process, sample the broth. Smoked turkey necks have a salty profile, so additional seasoning should be approached with caution. Add salt as needed and freshly ground black pepper for taste.
Once seasoned to your liking, serve the turkey necks while hot. They pair wonderfully with rice or greens, complementing their smoky flavor profile beautifully.
Smoked turkey necks. Youll need 2 – 3 smoked turkey necks for this recipe. They are usually pre-cooked and can be found in the deli meat section of most grocery stores.
Onion and garlic. Both are added to the broth to enhance the savory and smoky flavors of the meat.
Water. The cooking liquid used to cook the smoked turkey necks and keep them moist and tender.
Salt and black pepper. Smoked turkey necks already have seasoning on them so just add enough to taste.
Fresh jalapenos. Adds a nice spice kick to the dish.
What do i love about this recipe
If you need an easy dinner idea, cooking with smoked turkey is one of my familys favorite meals. Its quick to take out and cook without having to worry about thawing the meat the night before. When these smoked turkey necks are boiled on the stove, it’s hard to cook them too much, so the meat won’t be dry and flavorless.
You can find smoked turkey all year long, so this recipe for a simple, hearty meal can be made any day of the week. Serve them with beans, steamed rice, with your favorite gravy, or alongside steamed or roasted vegetable side dishes.
Smoked turkey necks. Use pre-smoked turkey wings if you prefer.
Onions and garlic. Use shallots or pearl onions if you have them.
Water. Use chicken stock or turkey broth/stock. You could also use plain water mixed with a chicken or turkey bullion cube. Just make sure you use a bouillon cube or low-sodium broth or stock so that your smoked turkey necks don’t get too salty.
If you want to use raw turkey necks, cook them for an extra 30 minutes to an hour to make sure they are soft and fully cooked. I also think you should add some liquid smoke, smoked paprika, or smoked salt to your turkey necks to make them taste really smoky.
Add fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, or cayenne pepper to the cooking liquid. Really strong herbs, spices, or spice mixes should not be used because they might make the rich smokey flavor of the turkey necks taste too weak.
Add chopped green bell pepper or celery to the chicken broth for an extra boost of flavor.
Save any leftover broth to make a homemade gravy by thickening it with cornstarch or flour. You could also add ¼ to ½ of a store-bought brown gravy mix to the broth and cook it until it gets thick.
Yes, most store-bought smoked turkey necks are already fully cooked. It should say that on the package, and you can find them in most big grocery stores near the deli meat.
No, smoked turkey is already fully cooked. However, boiling it in chicken broth with other herbs or aromatics is a great way to add more flavor and make the meat soft and tender.
You can eat these smoked turkey necks with mashed potatoes, gravy, steamed rice, or vegetables like corn, broccoli, or squash that have been steamed or roasted.
- If you want the meat to be the softest, always choose a longer simmer of low heat. The slow cooking process lets the flavors blend and the meat get soft without getting tough or stringy.
- Turkey necks contain smaller bones. When serving food to guests, especially kids, after cooking, be careful not to choking them.
- Smoked turkey necks have a strong flavor profile. Serve them with sides that can go with or against the smokey flavor, like mashed potatoes, sautéed greens, or a light salad.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the broth in the last 30 minutes of cooking can give it new tastes and smells.
- Adding vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or celery while the broth is simmering can give it more flavor. You can strain these out later if you want to, or you can eat them with the necks.
Mashed Potatoes: Simply boil peeled potatoes until tender, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
Steamed Green Beans: To make these, steam or blanch fresh green beans and then mix them with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Coleslaw: Mix shredded cabbage and carrots with a store-bought or homemade coleslaw dressing.
Cornbread: Prepare using a boxed mix or your favorite simple recipe.
Rice: Cook white or brown rice according to package directions and season with butter, salt, and pepper.
Baked Beans: Thaw a can of your favorite baked beans or quickly make your own with ketchup, brown sugar, and a pinch of vinegar.
Put the smoked turkey necks in a container that won’t let air in and put it in the fridge for up to three to four days.
Put them in a pot with a little water or broth, cover it, and heat them over low to medium heat on the stove until they are hot all the way through. You can also put them in a dish that can go in the microwave and cover it. Check and stir them every minute to make sure they heat up evenly.
How to Prepare Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs. Quick and Easy Short Cut Jerk BBQ or Any BBQ Sauce
FAQ
Can I boil smoked turkey?
How do you cook a turkey that is already smoked?
How to heat fully cooked smoked turkey?
Is smoked turkey meat already cooked?