Mastering the Perfect Stovetop Smoked Turkey Wings

Smoked turkey wings are a delicious appetizer or main course, with deep smoky flavor and tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. While typically smoked low and slow in a smoker or grill, you can also cook smoked turkey wings on the stovetop with outstanding results. Here’s everything you need to know about stovetop cooking times for flawless smoked turkey wings.

Why Cook Smoked Wings on the Stove?

There are several advantages to cooking your smoked turkey wings on the stovetop rather than solely relying on the smoking process:

• Shortens cook time significantly compared to smoking alone
• Ensures wings are fully cooked through and safe to eat
• Allows seasoning and saucing wings to your taste
• Enables cooking smoked wings year-round, not just when you can smoke
• Adds extra flavor dimension by simmering in sauce or broth
• Keeps wings warm and ready to serve vs letting rest after smoking

So break out your favorite Dutch oven or large pot and let’s get simmering for juicy smoky wings in about an hour or less.

Average Stovetop Cooking Times

The time needed to cook smoked turkey wings on the stove can vary based on:

• Wing size – Larger wings take longer
• Temperature – Higher heat reduces time
• Amount of wings – More wings require more time
• Browning – Allowing browning adds cooking time

On average figure around

• 45-60 minutes for 6-8 whole wings
• 30-45 minutes for wing drummettes
• 20-30 minutes for wing flats

Use a thermometer to check doneness, aiming for 165°F.

Step-by-Step Stovetop Smoked Wing Technique

Follow these simple steps for perfect smoked wings from your stovetop:

Prep:

• Pat wings dry well
• Season with salt, pepper, spices as desired
• Preheat Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat
• Add 1-2 Tbsp oil to pot

Brown:

• Add wings and brown well on both sides, about 5 minutes per side
• Browning adds flavor and ensures wings are fully cooked

Simmer:

• Add 1 cup broth, barbecue sauce, or other liquid
• Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30-60 minutes until tender
• Flip wings halfway through simmering

Reduce:

• Uncover and increase heat to reduce liquid to a glaze
• Coat wings in glaze for finger-licking flavor

Serve:

• Transfer wings to a platter and enjoy!

Always use a meat thermometer to confirm wings reach 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Handy Flavor Boosters

Ready to take your stovetop smoked wings to new heights? Try one of these flavor additions during simmering:

• Diced onions and garlic
• Chili sauce or hot sauce
• Soy sauce, hoisin, or teriyaki
• Apple cider vinegar
• Herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano
• Spices like cumin, paprika, cayenne
• Honey for stickiness
• Butter or brown sugar for richness

Mix and match flavors to create signature wings in under an hour right from your stovetop.

Saucy Wing Pairings

Saucing up your smoked wings while simmering adds a ton of flavor. Consider these tasty sauce possibilities:

• Barbecue sauce – For classic wings, use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce

• Buffalo wing sauce – Mix hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot with butter for spicy buffalo-style wings

• Asian sauces – Teriyaki, hoisin, and sweet chili all make savory Asian-inspired wings

• Jerk marinade – For a Caribbean twist, use store-bought or homemade jerk sauce

• Mole sauce – For rich Mexican flavor, simmer wings in mole sauce at the end

• Honey mustard – Whisk together honey, mustard, and a pinch of cayenne for sweet-tangy wings

• Ranch dressing – Thick, herby ranch makes outrageously good ranch wings

Handy Stovetop Smoked Wing Tips

• For safety, fully thaw frozen wings before cooking
• Remove wing tips before cooking for easy eating
• Use tongs to easily flip and coat wings while simmering
• Adjust heat to maintain a steady simmer
• Add more broth as needed to keep wings partially submerged
• Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot
• Let wings rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juiciest meat
• Garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs

Serving Up Your Smoky Creations

Smoked turkey wings straight off the stovetop make for finger-licking good eating. Here are some stellar serving suggestions:

• On a platter with crunchy celery and creamy blue cheese dressing for dipping

• Piled high on soft bread rolls for hearty sandwiches

• Over rice, pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes

• In tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and fajitas

• On top of salads or wraps

• Alongside classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, beans, and cornbread

Your homemade stovetop smoked wings are also perfect for game day apps, potlucks, and summer cookouts. Now that you know how quick and easy it is to transform smoked wings into a saucy masterpiece, get simmering! In no time, you’ll be a pro at cooking up juicy, sauced-up smoked turkey wings from your stovetop.

FAQs on Cooking Smoked Turkey Wings

Still have questions on stovetop smoked wings? Here are answers to some common queries:

How long should I simmer smoked turkey wings?

Plan on 30-60 minutes simmering, depending on size. Check for 165°F.

Can you cook already smoked turkey wings on the stove?

Absolutely! Stovetop cooking after smoking ensures wings are fully cooked through.

How do you cook smoked turkey wings without a smoker?

Simmering on the stovetop is a great way to finish cooking wings without an actual smoker.

Do smoked turkey wings need to be cooked before eating?

For food safety, it’s important to fully cook wings to 165°F internal temperature before consuming.

Why are my smoked turkey wings tough?

Overcooking is the main culprit. Be sure not to simmer too long after smoking.

Can you reheat smoked turkey wings on the stove?

Yes, just put wings in sauce or broth over medium-low heat until fully warmed through.

What temp should I reheat smoked wings?

Heat wings to 165°F, letting the sauce simmer gently vs a rolling boil.

Satisfy That Smoky Craving

Now there are no excuses to fulfill smoked wing cravings anytime. Follow this stovetop smoking guide for juicy, sauced-up wings ready in under an hour. Dinnertime easy just got a whole lot tastier!