This Instant Pot Roasted Turkey Necks have such great flavor. Tender and juicy, falling off the bone meat. Honestly, the neck of the turkey has always been my favorite part. This recipe is an easy, comforting dinner that comes together so quickly in the pressure cooker!
In the frying pan, heat 2 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for
Put the lid on and turn the valve to sealing. Select Pressure Cook and set the cook time
When the cook time is over, turn the Instant Pot off and let the pressure release
Combine seasoned turkey necks and the sauce into a roasting pan or pot; cover with lid
about 2 – 2:30 hours. Remove the cover for the last 20 minutes of cooking to brown the
cook on High for 3 hours or until meat is tender and pulls easily from bone.
Turkey necks are an underappreciated cut of meat that become delicious when cooked in a pressure cooker. With the right technique, you can transform tough turkey necks into a tasty family meal. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to cook turkey necks to perfection in a pressure cooker XL.
Turkey necks have a long history in various cuisines as a flavorful ingredient in soups, stews, gravies, and other dishes. Although they contain little meat, turkey necks are packed with collagen and gelatin that impart delicious flavor and body when slowly simmered.
With the rise of the pressure cooker, cooking turkey necks has become quicker and easier The high temperature and pressure of a pressure cooker rapidly breaks down connective tissues in turkey necks, resulting in meat so tender it falls right off the bone Plus, turkey necks cooked under pressure absorb seasonings deeply for more flavor.
Cooking turkey necks in a pressure cooker XL streamlines preparing this flavorful cut into a convenient one-pot meal ready in under an hour. Once you master the technique, you can transform inexpensive turkey necks into gourmet cuisine.
Benefits of Using a Pressure Cooker XL for Turkey Necks
Pressure cooking provides major advantages for cooking turkey necks
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Shorter cook time – Pressure cooking can reduce cook time by 70% or more. Turkey necks can be fall-apart tender in 30-60 minutes instead of needing hours of simmering.
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Retains moisture – The closed environment traps steam and moisture. Turkey necks stay succulent instead of drying out.
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Boosts flavor – Cooking under pressure forces seasonings into the meat rather than evaporating away. Turkey necks absorb more flavor.
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Yields tender meat – High pressure softens collagen and connective tissues. The result is turkey meat so tender it slides right off the bones.
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Makes flavorful broth – Simmering turkey necks enriches the cooking liquid into a nutritious, tasty broth that perfectly complements the meat.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Turkey Necks in a Pressure Cooker XL
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for succulent pressure cooked turkey necks every time.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs turkey necks
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp poultry seasoning
Directions:
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Pat turkey necks dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.
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Select sauté on pressure cooker. Heat oil and brown necks well on both sides.
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Add onion and sauté briefly until softened. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
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Add broth, water, bay leaves and other aromatics or herbs.
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Lock lid and pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. Allow 10 minute natural release then quick release pressure.
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Carefully remove lid. Turkey necks should be very tender and meat pulling from bones.
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Transfer necks to a plate. Strain and defat cooking liquid if desired.
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Serve necks topped with concentrated cooking broth for a delicious, easy one-pot meal!
Tips and Variations
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For more flavor, rub necks with a spice blend before browning. Cajun seasoning is excellent.
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Substitute ingredients like onions, garlic, broth etc. to your tastes.
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Add vegetables like carrots, celery or potatoes in step 4 for a one-pot meal.
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Cook necks up to 2 hours for shredded meat perfect for chili, soups, etc.
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Shred meat from cooled necks and use in casseroles, sandwiches, enchiladas, etc.
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Save bones to make bone broth stock after removing meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I cook turkey necks?
Cook time can range from 30-60 minutes depending on size and pressure cooker. Check doneness after 30 minutes. Meat should be very tender and easy to pull off bones.
Can I pressure cook frozen turkey necks?
Yes. Just increase cook time 10-15 minutes. Thawing first gives best results.
What size should I cut turkey necks?
Leave whole or cut into 2-3 inch chunks. Smaller pieces cook faster.
Can I use an Instant Pot?
Yes. Follow manufacturer instructions for pressure cooking times.
What is the release method?
After cooking, naturally release pressure 10 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure before opening lid.
How do I thicken the broth?
Boil broth on sauté mode. Whisk in roux, cornstarch slurry or flour to desired thickness.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate turkey necks and broth separately within 2 hours. Use within 3-4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
Once you get the basic pressure cooking method down, you can start experimenting with different seasonings, ingredients and cook times to suit your tastes. In no time, you’ll be serving restaurant-quality turkey neck dishes from the convenience of your Pressure Cooker XL.
Health Benefits of Turkey Necks
Beyond being cheap and flavorful, turkey necks offer nutritional perks:
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High in protein – Turkey necks provide over 50% of the recommended daily protein intake in a 3 oz serving. The protein supports muscle growth and repair.
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Contains collagen – Turkey necks are loaded with collagen from cartilage, skin and connective tissues. Collagen promotes gut, skin, joint and heart health.
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Rich in minerals – Turkey necks supply iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium. These essential minerals benefit blood, immunity, metabolism and nerve function.
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Low calorie – With only around 115 calories in 3 oz, turkey necks can be part of a healthy weight loss or maintenance diet.
Don’t throw away those turkey necks – pressure cook them into a nutritious, budget-friendly meal the whole family will love.
Conclusion
Cooking turkey necks in a pressure cooker XL unlocks this underappreciated cut’s full potential. With the quick cook time and deeply infused flavors, pressure cooked turkey necks become meltingly tender with rich taste in around half an hour. The nutritious collagen-rich meat can be used in a variety of dishes. Once you get the simple technique down, you’ll never discard turkey necks again. Experiment with flavors, ingredients and cook times to make succulent pressure cooked turkey necks a staple in your culinary repertoire.
