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Unlocking Juicy, Flavor-Packed Smoked Turkey Wings in Your Crockpot

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Learn a delicious and hassle-free way to cook tender slow cooker turkey wings using just a few ingredients. Despite slow-cooking the turkey wings in the crockpot, you can still make them crispy.

If youre looking for an easy way to make a tasty meal, youre in the right place. With our simple instructions, you can enjoy flavorful, crispy slow cooker turkey wings that even beginners can master. All you need to do is season, set it, and savor a delicious meal. The easy homemade gravy made with the cooking juices makes this dish perfect.

Are you looking for more ideas for cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving in a crockpot? Try a whole turkey in the slow cooker or some crockpot turkey legs. Or make oven-slow-cooked turkey breast.

As avid home cooks we absolutely love whipping up smoked turkey wings in the crockpot. This simple hands-off cooking method yields incredibly juicy, fall-off-the-bone wings bursting with smoky flavor. If you’re looking to add a new recipe to your repertoire that’s sure to impress, you’ve come to the right place!

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook up tender and tasty smoked turkey wings in your trusty crockpot, from start to finish. Let’s get cooking!

Benefits of Cooking Smoked Turkey Wings in a Crockpot

There are several excellent reasons to opt for the crockpot method when making smoked turkey wings

  • Convenience – Simply throw in your ingredients, set it, and forget it. The crockpot does all the work for you.

  • Even cooking – The moist, gentle heat of the crockpot cooks the wings slowly and evenly without drying them out.

  • Intensified flavor – The long cook time allows the smoky flavor to deeply penetrate the meat.

  • Juicy and tender – The low temperature gently breaks down collagen and connective tissue, resulting in succulent, fall-off-the-bone wings.

  • Makes perfect portions – The crockpot cooks just enough wings for your gathering without the hassle of batch cooking.

Picking the Right Turkey Wings

Not all turkey wings are created equal when it comes to getting perfect results. Here are a few tips for choosing ideal wings for the crockpot:

  • Opt for smoked – Pick wings that are pre-smoked to infuse deep, bold flavor that the crockpot will intensify.

  • Get meaty wings – Meatier wings with more muscle will be juicier and more tender once cooked. Avoid bony, skinny wings.

  • Consider sizing – Larger wings work well when cooking for a crowd while smaller wings are great for solo meals or couples.

  • Inspect quality – Look for plump, fresh wings without tears or blemishes on the skin.

Must-Have Ingredients & Equipment

Cooking up delicious smoked turkey wings in the crockpot is simple with just a few key ingredients and pieces of equipment:

Ingredients:

  • Smoked turkey wings (2-4 lbs)
  • Chicken broth (1-2 cups)
  • Barbecue sauce (1/2 cup)
  • Spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper

Equipment:

  • Crockpot (6 qt minimum)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Meat thermometer

That’s it – you likely have most, if not all, of these handy ingredients and tools in your kitchen already!

Easy Step-by-Step Method

Now, let’s walk through exactly how to cook up the most mouthwatering smoked turkey wings you’ve ever tasted using your crockpot:

  1. Prep the wings – Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Remove excess skin/fat. Season all over with spices.

  2. Load up the crock – Place wings in crockpot and add broth until wings are mostly submerged.

  3. Get cooking – Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until wings reach 165°F.

  4. Make it saucy – During last 30-60 mins, stir in BBQ sauce to coat wings.

  5. Rest and serve – Remove wings from crock and let rest 10 mins before serving.

It truly doesn’t get any easier than this. Let your crockpot work its magic!

Handy Tips and Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic smoked turkey wing crockpot recipe, try mixing it up with these useful tips:

  • For crispy skin, broil wings for 3-5 mins after crockpotting.

  • Use apple juice or beer instead of broth for sweet or malty flavor.

  • Toss cooked wings in your favorite Buffalo wing sauce for a spicy twist.

  • For a sticky glaze, coat wings in a honey garlic sauce before crockpotting.

  • Stir in quartered potatoes, onion, and carrot during last 2 hours of cooking for a one-pot meal.

  • Sprinkle fresh herbs like rosemary or sage over wings right before serving for a pop of flavor.

The options are endless when cooking these wings in a crockpot – get creative!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While cooking smoked turkey wings in the crockpot is pretty foolproof, watch out for these minor pitfalls:

  • Overcooking resulting in dried out, tough wings – stick to recommended cook times.

  • Underseasoning leading to bland, flavorless wings – generously season!

  • Skipping the resting period – this ensures juicy wings.

  • Not using a thermometer to confirm doneness – wings should reach 165°F.

  • Neglecting to remove excess fat/skin – this can make wings greasy.

Follow our guide and you’ll avoid these common crockpot mistakes every time.

Let’s Get Crockpotting!

Now there’s nothing standing between you and perfectly cooked, irresistibly juicy and smoky wings made with total ease in your crockpot.

From prepping to seasoning to sauce ideas and more, this complete guide outlines everything you need for smoked turkey wing success. We can’t wait for you to enjoy this simple yet impressive recipe. Happy crockpotting!

Let us know how your smoked turkey wings turn out and share any of your favorite twists on this classic recipe.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

‍ How to make turkey wings in the slow cooker?

Split the wings if whole: Remove the turkey wing tips (you can use them to prepare stock). Next, cut around the joint to expose it a bit, then use both hands to snap the wing at the joint. Sometimes, there might still be some connection between the two parts, in which case you can use a knife to cut around and fully separate them.

Check out a picture tutorial for splitting wings: Roasted Turkey Wings.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Season: Dry the wings with paper towels.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Rub them with the oil and then with the spices.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker and place turkey wings inside as well.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Slow cook on LOW for 6 hours or on High for 3-4 hours (See tips).

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Broil on a baking sheet lined with foil until the skin is nice and crispy.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Make the savory gravy and thicken it with cornstarch slurry.

  • The cooking time depends on the size of the wings. If they are larger than mine, add another hour on LOW to the cooking time. Check if they are really tender; if not, give them another 30 to 60 minutes on LOW.
  • Crockpot settings: I suggest using the Low setting to slow-cook the turkey wings. Although you can set the crockpot on High, I find that the Low setting results in much more tender turkey wings for this recipe.
  • Dont discard leftover bones; theyre perfect for making tasty stock. If you dont have enough bones or time to cook stock immediately, freeze them until you have sufficient.
  • To prepare stock, add the wing tips (if you removed them before). You can also add a bit of fresh meat, like another raw wing, a few chicken wings, or 1-2 chicken legs, but its not mandatory; great stock can be made with just roasted or fresh bones.
    • Add vegetables or vegetable scraps (carrots, onion, leeks, celery, or celeriac) and some spices (salt, peppercorns, 2-3 cloves, allspice or juniper berries). Cover with cold water, bring to a simmer, and gently cook for 4-5 hours, up to 12 hours. For bone broth, simmer for a full 24 hours.
  • Use leftover meat to make a Turkey Pot Pie, Turkey Fricassee, or Cream of Turkey Soup.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

The key distinction lies in the terminology. A slow cooker is a generic name for a kitchen appliance designed to cook food slowly, typically consisting of a heating element, a cooking pot, and a lid, and it can be produced by various manufacturers. On the other hand, Crock-Pot is a specific brand name, originally trademarked by Rival, but often used informally to refer to all slow cookers, regardless of the manufacturer. So, while all Crock-Pots are slow cookers, not all slow cookers are Crock-Pots, similar to how “Kleenex” is used to describe facial tissues, regardless of the brand.

You can find fresh turkey wings at various places, including local stores, Walmart, butcher shops, and farmers markets. You could also order them online. To ensure availability, its a good idea to call ahead and confirm they have them in stock.

No, its not necessary. According to the USDA (the link opens in a new tab), washing poultry is discouraged because it can actually increase the risk of spreading harmful bacteria to other kitchen surfaces. Cooking poultry to the recommended internal temperature (165°F or 74°C measured with a meat thermometer) effectively eliminates any harmful bacteria, rendering washing unnecessary and potentially unsafe.

You can, but fitting whole wings into the crockpot might be a bit challenging. Smaller, flatter parts work better for this method as they can be more easily arranged in the slow cooker. Whole wings wont lie flat in the cooking liquid, which could affect their tenderness.

Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.Freeze leftover turkey wings for 4 to 6 months, wrapped tightly in foil, and placed in a freezer container. Freeze leftover gravy in a separate container. Defrost both in the fridge and reheat. Reheat them in the preheated oven at 350°F/ 180°C. Place the meat into a roasting tin, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out, and reheat until they are heated through (15-20 minutes). To crisp the skin again, remove the foil for the last few minutes of reheating. Reheating them in the microwave is possible, but the skin will get rather floppy. Reheat the rich gravy in a small pan or the microwave, adding a tiny splash of broth or water to loosen it slightly (if necessary).

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

Benefits of cooking turkey wings in the crockpot

  • Time efficiency: Your slow cooker does the work while you go about your day.
  • Convenience: Its ideal for busy schedules, allowing you to prep in the morning and return to a hot meal.
  • Consistent results: The crock pot maintains a steady, even temperature. Slow cooking also intensifies flavors, resulting in a tastier dish.
  • Crispy texture: Simply broil the slow-cooked turkey wings for a few minutes before serving to get that perfect crunch.

how to cook smoked turkey wings in a crockpot

  • Turkey wings: Each whole turkey wing weighs approximately 1 lb (450 grams). Using three whole pieces, which total about 3 lbs (1350 g), you can serve four. When you split them, you will have 6 pieces.
    • You can use whole or split turkey wings. I prefer using split ones because they cook more evenly, and the skin becomes crispier when you broil them.
    • Avoid purchasing smoked turkey wings for this recipe, as they are already fully cooked and wont yield the desired results.
  • Seasoning:
    • Choose your preferred dry rub or seasoning blend, whether store-bought or homemade. You have various options, such as regular poultry seasoning, spicier choices like Cajun seasoning or zesty lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, Herbs de Provence, etc. You can try our Homemade Dry Rub for Wings.
    • To make your own spice mixture, consider combining ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, sweet or smoked paprika, salt, and ground black pepper. For a touch of sweetness, you can add a bit of brown sugar. To give it some heat, add chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
    • But, if you prefer to keep it simple, a classic combination of salt and pepper is all you need to create a delicious dish.
  • Stock: Chicken stock (broth) or, if available, turkey bone broth or stock.
  • Vegetable or olive oil for coating the wings before rubbing them with spices.
  • Cornstarch to thicken the gravy.

CROCKPOT SMOKED TURKEY WING PREP PART # 1

FAQ

Can I heat a smoked turkey in a crockpot?

Carve your smoked turkey and place the pieces into the crockpot. Apply the lid and cook until warmed throughout (around 45 minutes).Oct 11, 2023

Are smoked turkey wings already cooked?

And as for the Turkey wings, well, when you get them from the store, at the butcher shop, they’re already fully smoked. Smoked Turkey wings are already cooked, so you don’t wanna overcook them. You just wanna add a little. Little color to it for an extra layer of flavor. You meat.

Why are my smoked turkey wings tough?

Why are my turkey wings tough? Overcooking and undercooking turkey wings are the main reasons they turn out tough.Aug 12, 2024

How long to cook smoked turkey wings in crock pot?

Cooking time may vary depending on the size and quantity of turkey wings. Generally, it takes around 4 to 6 hours on low heat or 2 to 3 hours on high heat to fully cook smoked turkey wings in a crock pot. Do I need to add liquid to the crock pot when cooking smoked turkey wings?

How to cook turkey wings in a crock pot?

To cook turkey wings in a crock pot, place the wings in the bottom and top with sliced onions. Pour half of the barbecue sauce over the onions and the wings. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Turn the crock pot to high and add the remaining barbecue sauce. Cook on high heat for 1 hour before serving the turkey wings with the sauce.

How to cook smoked turkey wings in a slow cooker?

Slow Cooker Method Add a mixture of broth and butter, or a sauce of your choice, to enhance the moisture. Cook on low: Set the slow cooker to low and let the turkey reheat slowly for 2 to 4 hours. This method is excellent for keeping the turkey moist and tender. How to cook already smoked turkey wings?

How do you cook smoked turkey wings?

To cook collard greens with smoked turkey wings, place smoked turkey on top and let cook until greens are tender. Every batch of greens should be cooked down and then a new batch added to the pot, repeating until all greens are in the pot. Once all greens are in the pot, add salt to taste and vinegar. Cooking instructions for the smoked turkey wings are not provided in the passage.

What are smoked turkey wings?

Smoked turkeys are regular Turkey wings that are highly seasoned and then placed on the smoker. Meat that is smoked has a ton of flavor in it and is really tender. Smoking meat can take up to 8 hours in some instances. I’ve found a way around all of that. I use pre-smoked turkey wings. They can be purchased from your local grocery store.

Can You glaze smoked turkey wings?

Yes, you can glaze the smoked turkey wings to add more flavor. About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, you can brush the wings with a glaze of your choice, such as a combination of honey and mustard, and let them continue cooking.

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