How to Make Delicious Turkey Gizzards: A Step-by-Step Guide

Turkey gizzards are a delicacy that is often overlooked, but when prepared properly they can be absolutely delicious! Gizzards are the stomach muscle of a turkey and are filled with flavors If you’ve never cooked turkey gizzards before, don’t be intimidated. With this simple step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to clean, season, and cook turkey gizzards so they come out tender and tasty

What are Turkey Gizzards?

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly are turkey gizzards? Turkey gizzards are the stomach muscle of a turkey. They are located in the lower portion of the bird’s stomach, along with the heart and liver. Gizzards play an important role in the turkey’s digestive system. Their main job is to grind up food and mix it with digestive juices to start breaking it down.

When raw, turkey gizzards have a very tough, chewy texture with a mild flavor. But once cooked, the gizzards become tender and take on the flavors of whatever seasonings are added. The resulting texture is similar to heart or liver but with a richer, deeper turkey flavor.

Benefits of Cooking with Turkey Gizzards

There are several benefits to using turkey gizzards in your cooking

• They add great flavor and texture to soups stews burgers, tacos, and more.

• Turkey gizzards are budget-friendly and provide an inexpensive way to add protein to meals.

• They are low in fat and calories while providing important vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

• Utilizing the whole turkey is an environmentally friendly choice that reduces food waste.

• Cooking turkey gizzards allows you to try new and adventurous foods!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Turkey Gizzards

Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps for foolproof turkey gizzards every time:

Ingredients

• 1 lb turkey gizzards
• 2 quarts water
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 ribs celery, cut into chunks
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• Optional seasonings: garlic, cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme

Instructions

1. Clean the gizzards. Rinse the gizzards under cold running water. Use a paring knife to trim off any visible fat or connective tissue.

2. Simmer the gizzards. Place the cleaned gizzards in a pot and cover with 2 quarts of water. Add the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, salt and peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours until fork tender.

3. Drain and separate. Drain the gizzards in a colander, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Pick the meat off the bones; discard bones, cartilage and veins.

4. Chop and season. Chop the gizzards to your desired size. Toss with desired seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper.

5. Sauté the gizzards. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the gizzards and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes. Splash in a bit of the reserved cooking liquid if needed to keep moist.

6. Enjoy! Your turkey gizzards are ready to eat and enjoy in your favorite recipes. Try adding them to soups, tacos, burgers, casseroles and more for a boost of flavor. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Cooking Tips

• For intense turkey flavor, use turkey broth or stock when simmering the gizzards.

• Fry the gizzards in oil after simmering for extra crispiness.

• Season the cooked gizzards with your favorite rubs, herbs and spices.

• Don’t overcook the gizzards or they can become tough. Simmer just until fork tender.

• Leftover cooked gizzards can be frozen for later use. Thaw before using.

Creative Ways to Use Turkey Gizzards

Now that you know how to cook up tender, juicy turkey gizzards, how will you use them? Here are some delicious recipe ideas:

• Gizzard and Rice Soup – Simmer gizzards in broth with onions, carrots, celery and rice for a hearty soup.

• Gizzard Tacos – Stuff soft corn tortillas with chopped gizzards, salsa, avocado and lime.

• Gizzard Gravy – Use cooked gizzards and the cooking liquid to make a rich turkey gravy for biscuits.

• Gizzard Stir Fry – Sauté chopped gizzards with veggies like bell peppers, broccoli and snap peas in a savory sauce.

• Gizzard Hash – Cook chopped gizzards with potatoes, peppers and onions for a tasty hash.

• Giblet Pot Pie – Make a pot pie packed with turkey gizzards, neck, and liver for ultimate flavor.

• Gizzard Burgers – Mix cooked chopped gizzards into your favorite burger recipe for a protein punch.

Be adventurous with your newly cooked gizzards! They add great texture and flavor to so many dishes.

Cooking Turkey Gizzards Safely

When handling and cooking turkey gizzards, follow these food safety guidelines:

• Only purchase fresh gizzards and cook them within 1-2 days.

• Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after handling raw gizzards.

• Cook gizzards to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check doneness.

• Refrigerate cooked gizzards within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.

• Reheat cooked gizzards to 165°F. Bring sauces and soups with gizzards back to a boil before serving.

• Freeze gizzards if you won’t use them within 4 days.

Follow safe food handling practices and your tasty turkey gizzards will be safe to enjoy!

Ready to Try Turkey Gizzards?

Expanding your food horizons and trying new ingredients can open up many tasty possibilities in the kitchen. Don’t let turkey gizzards intimidate you. As you can see, they are easy to cook and quite versatile! With this handy guide, you can clean, season and simmer turkey gizzards to tender perfection. Then get creative incorporating them into many mouthwatering recipes. So embrace the whole bird – give nutritious, budget-friendly turkey gizzards a chance on your dinner table. Your tastebuds will thank you!