I wish I could find turkey wings year round – but I can only find them easily during the holiday season. We treat them like gigantic holiday chicken wings. They are so meaty, crispy, and flavorful ! And there is a lot more meat on a turkey wing so it feels a little like cheating.
These are also baked (there is a trick to getting them crispy in the recipe!) so no splattered greasy mess to deal with… And just a bit healthier than their fried alternative. A must try for Thanksgiving leftover ideas.
Soaking turkey wings in vinegar prior to cooking is a technique that many home cooks swear by. But there is some debate around just how long you should be soaking those wings to get the best results In this article, we’ll dig into the reasons for soaking wings in vinegar, how long you should be soaking for, and some extra tips and tricks to take your turkey wings to the next level.
Why Soak Turkey Wings in Vinegar?
There are a few key benefits to soaking turkey wings in vinegar
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Tenderizes the Meat – Vinegar is acidic, which helps to break down tough muscle fibers in meat This leads to more tender and juicy turkey wings.
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Enhances Flavor – The vinegar imparts a subtle tanginess and depth of flavor to the wings. This extra flavor dimension can really elevate your finished dish.
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Reduces Odors – Some people find turkey wings to have a slightly gamey or off-putting smell. The vinegar helps to reduce or neutralize these odors.
So by taking advantage of these chemical properties of vinegar, you can majorly improve the end result of your turkey wing recipe.
How Long Should You Soak Turkey Wings in Vinegar?
The most commonly recommended vinegar soak time for turkey wings is 2-4 hours. This allows enough time for the vinegar to work its magic in tenderizing the meat and improving the flavor.
However, you can adjust this timeframe as needed:
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Overnight: You can soak wings for up to 8 hours overnight, but no longer as the acid can make the texture mushy.
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1-2 hours: For a quicker brine, 1-2 hours will still provide some tenderizing effects.
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5-10 minutes: Even a quick soak will help remove odors and seasoning adhesion.
So consider the time you have available, the size of the wings, and the tenderness you’re looking for. Adjust the soaking time as needed to get your ideal results.
Turkey Wing Vinegar Soaking Tips
Beyond just the soaking duration, there are some additional tips that can take your vinegared turkey wings to the next level:
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Use a 1:1 white vinegar to water ratio – This provides acidity without being overpowering. Apple cider vinegar also works.
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Add aromatics – Throw in garlic, onion, herbs, citrus for extra flavor dimension.
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Pat wings dry – Remove excess vinegar before cooking so it doesn’t overwhelm.
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Don’t reuse brine – For food safety, make a fresh brine each time.
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Watch acidity with longer soaks – Excess acidity can make for mushy wings.
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Refrigerate while soaking – Keep those raw wings chilled for food safety.
Sample Turkey Wing Recipes Using Vinegar
To see vinegar turkey wing brining in action, here are some delicious sample recipes to try out:
Herb Baked Turkey Wings
- Brine wings for 2-4 hours in vinegar, water, salt
- Drain, pat dry, and coat with oil, herbs, and seasoning
- Bake at 400°F until cooked through and crispy
Sweet & Savory Turkey Wings
- Soak wings overnight in vinegar brine
- Roast wings low and slow until tender
- Glaze with sweet garlic sauce before broiling to finish
Jerk Turkey Wings
- Quick soak wings for 1 hour in vinegar, spices, garlic
- Grill wings over medium-high heat until charred
- Brush with jerk sauce during last few minutes
Get Perfectly Flavored and Tender Turkey Wings
While turkey wing soaking times can vary based on your preferences and recipe, a 2-4 hour vinegar brine is a safe bet for maximizing the flavor and tenderness of your wings. Just be sure to rinse the vinegar off before cooking. Then feel free to get creative with seasonings, glazes, and cooking methods. Your patience in brining will pay off in juicy, delicious turkey wings!
Can I make poultry seasoning?
Yes. If poultry or turkey seasoning is not something you keep handy in your spice drawer, it is easy to make yourself. Here is a quick recipe for homemade poultry seasoning!
Sauce them and spice it up
We like these turkey wings right out of the oven, tossed in Roasted Pepper Wing Sauce – or sprinkled with what we Southerners call pepper sauce. It is not hot sauce, though it is hot and it is a sauce. Basically, it is the hottest peppers you can find (like so hot they would make you cry), halved with the seeds left in, a little salt for pickling, some whole peppercorns – and time for the peppers to flavor the vinegar. Sprinkle the hot vinegar over anything you would like to be hotter. Be careful if you have never done this… just sayin’.
I also like this recipe from Everyday Family Cooking for Buffalo Sauce.
How to clean turkey wings / drumsticks / washing meat with vinegar
FAQ
Can you soak turkey wings in vinegar?
Soaking the wings in water, an acid (vinegar, lemon juice, etc.), and a little salt will clean off the wings in a flash. Make sure to dry your wings off. Add some oil to the wings to help the seasonings stick.
Why do you soak turkey in vinegar?
Why should I brine my turkey? Brining a turkey helps to infuse your bird with moisture and flavor, resulting in a turkey that is out-of-this-world delicious! The salt and apple cider vinegar in the brine solution breaks down the turkey’s muscle proteins, resulting in a super tender and moist bird.
Why do you soak chicken wings in vinegar?
The vinegar in the brine serves to tenderize the meat further but is not inherent to the definition of a brine. This recipe calls for you to brine chicken wings for 2 to 4 hours, so it does need some planning.
Do you wash turkey with vinegar?
when the water starts running clean, I pour white vinegar over it. I let it sit for 5 minutes. I rinse. and then I pour the juice of 5 limes over the bird. and into the bird, I massage the acid into it. and I flip it over and do the same to the other side. I rinse it under cold water until it runs clean.