These Smoked Turkey Necks are incredibly delicious, tender, and smothered in BBQ sauce. This recipe uses only four ingredients and can be a fun way to spice up your dinner spread and surprise your guests!
Wondering what to make for Thanksgiving? Smoking a turkey can be a whole day’s affair. Smoked turkey necks, on the other hand, are just as flavorful and take minimal effort.
Turkey necks are a staple in Southern American cooking and are generally used to enrich stews or greens. They taste great when cooked in the oven, instant pot, or slow cooker.
However, as a grill enthusiast, I had to figure out the best way to make them on the grill. Now, it is one of my favorite turkey recipes.
Smoked turkey necks are a delicious, underrated cut of meat that can take any dish from 0 to 100. When prepared properly, these tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks are packed with smoky, savory flavor. But to get the best results, it’s important to smoke them for the right amount of time. Here’s everything you need to know about how long to smoke turkey necks.
Selecting Turkey Necks for Smoking
When choosing turkey necks for smoking, look for necks that are plump and moist, without any shriveling or discoloration. Avoid necks with an off-putting odor. Raw, uncooked necks work best, as you’ll be able to infuse them with smoke flavor from scratch. If you can only find pre-smoked necks, reduce the smoking time.
Make sure the necks are thoroughly rinsed and patted dry before smoking. You can rub them with a light seasoning of salt, pepper, paprika or other spices But go easy on the salt, as smoked necks tend to already be salty
Factors That Affect Smoking Time
Several factors impact how long you’ll need to smoke turkey necks
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Cut of the Neck – Whole, intact necks take longer than necks cut into smaller portions.
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Cooking Method – The technique used affects time. Smoking, grilling and roasting take longer than braising.
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Size and Amount – Larger, meatier necks and bigger batches require more time.
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Bone-In or Boneless – Necks with bones cook slower than boneless pieces.
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Temperature – Higher heat means shorter cook time. Lower and slower is best for tenderness.
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Wood Choice – Stronger flavored woods like hickory infuse flavor quickly. Mild woods require longer smoking.
So smoking time can range quite a bit based on all these factors. Keep reading for more specifics.
Smoking Times Based on Cut and Method
Here are general guidelines for smoking times based on the cut and technique:
Whole Intact Necks
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Smoker or Grill: 2 to 4 hours at 225°F to 250°F.
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Oven: Roast at 350°F for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
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Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
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Pressure Cooker: Cook at high pressure for 30 to 40 minutes.
Portioned or Cut Necks
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Smoker or Grill: 1 to 1 1/2 hours at 225°F to 250°F.
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Oven: Roast at 350°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
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Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
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Pressure Cooker: Cook at high pressure for 20 to 30 minutes.
No matter the technique, always smoke until the internal temperature of the necks reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness.
Choosing the Right Smoker Temperature
For tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks, lower smoking temperatures (225°F to 250°F) are ideal. The slower cooking tenderizes the meat and gives the smoke more time to permeate the necks.
Higher temperatures around 275°F to 300°F will speed up the cooking process, but may cause the exterior to dry out before the inside is fully cooked.
If using a charcoal or pellet smoker, it’s easy to maintain a consistent low temperature. With a gas grill, you may need to turn the heat on and off periodically to stay in the 225°F to 250°F range.
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Follow these tips to get the most out of your smoked turkey necks:
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Use milder flavored wood like apple, pecan or cherry so the smoke doesn’t overpower the meat.
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Brine or marinate the necks for up to 24 hours before smoking to boost moisture and flavor.
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Apply a tasty dry rub or wet marinade before smoking.
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Smoke the necks for the full recommended time to allow the wood smoke to permeate.
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Spritz necks with apple juice or broth during smoking for extra moisture.
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Let necks rest 5-10 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
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Serve smoked necks with zippy BBQ sauces.
Signs Your Turkey Necks Are Done
The best way to test doneness is using a meat thermometer. Turkey necks are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Additional signs your smoked necks are ready:
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The meat pulls back from the ends of the bones.
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A fork slides in and out of the meat easily.
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The meat starts to split and pull away from the bones.
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Cut into a piece of meat and the interior is no longer pink.
Trust your thermometer over visual cues to guarantee safely cooked turkey necks every time. Never eat partially raw smoked necks.
Serving Up Your Smoked Turkey Necks
Smoked turkey necks make for finger-lickin’ good eating when served up right. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy them:
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On their own as a hand-held snack.
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Chopped or shredded over greens, baked potatoes, nachos or tacos.
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Added to soups, stews, gumbos and chilis.
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Served with classic BBQ sides like beans, slaw and cornbread.
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Paired with Southern classics like collard greens, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes.
Let your smoked turkey necks shine by avoiding heavy sauces and seasonings. A sprinkle of hot sauce or BBQ sauce is all you need to let that wonderful smoky flavor come through.
So now there’s no reason to let those turkey necks go to waste again. Follow this guide to smoke them low and slow until tender and smoky. Your patience will be rewarded with juicy, flavorful turkey that tastes like it came straight from a barbecue pit. Just be sure to make extra, because these will go fast!
️ Why This Works
Minimal Prep | It takes only five minutes to prepare the ingredients and you can focus on other dishes while you leave the turkey necks to smoke on the grill. Enjoy the smoked turkey necks with almost any side dish or just on their own.
Short Smoking Time | Whether you’re smoking the full necks or cut-up portions they’ll be ready in 2 hours tops.
Frugal | Turkey necks are inexpensive and smoking them will take them to a whole new level of deliciousness!
Turkey Necks – Turkey necks can be purchased separately or they might come when you buy an entire turkey. Depending on your serving size, you can use the whole neck bone or cut it into bite-size pieces. The great thing about them is they have a lot more meat compared to pork neck bones and chicken necks.
Olive Oil – You probably have this one at home. I used Classic olive oil by the brand Pompeian. The olive oil will help the dry rub stick to the turkey neck skin.
Dry Rub – You can use any dry rub you have at home. I chose the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Cajun Foreplay dry spice rub for the extra spice.
BBQ Sauce – Since I used a spicy dry rub, I opted for the sweet and spicy BBQ sauce by Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Smoker – You will need a smoker or a gas grill. If you don’t have a smoker, you can still put in some wood chips and cook the turkey necks on indirect heat.
Wood – I recommend using Applewood or any mild fruitwood for this recipe. There are a few other alternatives listed in my Best Wood to Smoke a Turkey guide. For a more elaborate comparison, take a look at the Wood Smoking Cheat Sheet.
Zippered bag – You can use a quart or gallon-size zippered bag depending on your batch. I prefer zippered bags over mixing bowls as it is easier to spread the dry rub evenly across the turkey necks. Alternatively, you can use a large bowl if you prefer.
BBQ Brush – This brand of silicone BBQ Brush gets in the nooks and crannies easily and cleanup usually takes a couple of seconds.
Meat thermometer – You will want a meat thermometer, preferably one for poultry, to make sure the inside is fully cooked. My favorite meat thermometer is wireless, so it alerts you when the internal temperature reaches a certain point.
Step One: Heat up the smoker to a low-medium heat of 275°F.
Step Two: Wash and pat dry the turkey necks using paper towels, then place them inside a zippered bag or a large bowl. Add in olive oil, dry rub seasoning, and BBQ sauce and toss for an even coat.
Step Three: Place the turkey necks away from direct heat and smoke on the grill for up to 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Make sure the grill lid is closed during this time. You can prepare side dishes during this time.
Step Four: Serve and enjoy!
Note: The cooking time depends on whether you’re smoking full turkey necks or cut-up portions. The portioned necks will need only 60-90 minutes in the smoker.
❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks
I used a combination of Cajun dry seasoning and sweet and spicy BBQ sauce for a little bit of heat and sweetness. You can adjust your heat preference and opt for spicier or less spicy alternatives.
Since this recipe requires quick preparation and low surveillance during the smoking period, I recommend starting it before you move on to other recipes. You can focus on making side dishes while the turkey necks are smoking on the grill.
Make sure to keep the turkey necks away from direct heat during the smoking period. We want to preserve their natural juice while letting it cook.
The ONLY Way to Make Mouth Watering Smoked Turkey Necks
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke a turkey at 225?
Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F.
How long does it take for turkey necks to get done?
Smoke your own turkey necks! Set your smoker to 180F and let the necks cook for 2-4 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone.Aug 14, 2019
Can you smoke a turkey in 3 hours?
Cooking time depends how hot you can get your smoker. There is no need to smoke low and slow and higher heat will give you less rubbery skin. If you are smoking a whole 10-12 lb bird at 325-350 it will take 2.5-3 hrs. If you smoke a whole 10-12 lb bird at 225-250, it may take 5-6 hours.
Does smoked turkey necks need to be cooked?
Are smoked turkey necks already cooked? Good question. If you buy already smoked turkey necks, then yes, they are cooked. For this recipe, you need raw turkey necks, and you’ll do the smoking to cook them.
How long does it take to cook smoked turkey necks?
Then, simmer them in a broth or sauce until they are tender and fully cooked. How long does it take to cook smoked turkey necks on the stove? Cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the turkey necks, but typically, it takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours to cook them on the stove.
Can smoked turkey necks be cooked?
Yes, smoked turkey necks can be used in various dishes. They can add rich flavor to soups, stews, collard greens, and other braised dishes. You can also use the cooked meat in sandwiches or shred it and incorporate it into salads. Can I cook smoked turkey necks on high heat to reduce the cooking time?
What temperature should turkey necks be smoked?
You should smoke your turkey necks at 250°F. How Long Does it Take For Turkey Necks to Cook? You want the internal temperature of the turkey neck reaches 165°F, this takes around 2-4 hours. What Side to Have With Smoked Turkey Necks?
How do you smoke a turkey neck?
Learn to smoke turkey necks so they are tender and fall off the bone. Clean and prep your turkey necks. Mix olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.cy. Then just let the necks marinate in the overnight. Go ahead and preheat your smoker at 250°F. Make sure to close the lid of the smoker.
How do you cook smoked turkey necks in a Dutch oven?
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions, celery, and carrots, and cook until they start to soften and become fragrant. This will create a flavorful base for your dish. 4. Add the turkey necks Once the vegetables are cooked, add the smoked turkey necks to the pot.
How long does it take to cook a turkey neck?
Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer gently for about 1 to 1.5 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld together and the turkey necks to become tender. 8. Serve and enjoy Once the turkey necks are tender and the flavors have developed, remove the bay leaves and discard them.