Don’t miss these delicious and fall-off-the-bone tender turkey wings seasoned to perfection! These oven-baked turkey wings will change how you feel about turkey.
Hey folks! Today, I am showing you how to make the BEST EVER baked turkey wings! When I originally posted this recipe, it was during the Thanksgiving holiday season as part of a series. I made a Sweet Potato Cheesecake and a Down-Home Cornbread Dressing along with these turkey wings for a complete and delicious holiday meal. Now it’s time for y’all to realize that turkey doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions like holidays! With a recipe this good, you should be making baked turkey wings all. the. time!
Turkey wings are perfect for anyone who doesn’t like a whole turkey or for a family that just likes the wings. Maybe you don’t have a lot of people to feed and don’t want to waste food—this recipe is perfect for that too! Plus, turkey wings take A LOT less time to make and cost less (OMG, have you seen the price for whole turkeys these days?! Ain’t nobody got time for that!).
This baked turkey wings recipe is super easy to make; it’s basically foolproof! The secret is all in the seasonings (as it so often is!). So let’s dive on into it.
Turkey wings make for a flavorful juicy entree, but coming up with the perfect side dishes can be tricky. You want accompaniments that complement the wings without overpowering their taste. Here are 16 of my favorite sides to serve with succulent turkey wings for a mouthwatering meal.
1. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a no-brainer pairing. Their smooth texture contrasts the crispy skin and tender meat of the wings. For extra richness, mix in sour cream, cheese, or roasted garlic.
2. Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy coleslaw provides a refreshing, tangy crunch that balances the savory wings. Use shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a zesty vinaigrette or creamy dressing.
3. Mac and Cheese
What better match for juicy wings than ooey-gooey baked mac and cheese? The cheesy pasta casserole is comfort food at its finest. Try unique noodle shapes or add crispy bacon.
4. Roasted Vegetables
A medley of roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and carrots caramelizes for a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs nicely with turkey wings. Toss in olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
5. Cornbread
The slightly sweet, crumbly texture of cornbread makes it perfect for enjoying with turkey wings. The cornmeal gives it just the right richness to complement the wings.
6. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collard greens have an irresistible velvety texture and earthy, nutty flavor. Their brightness balances and cuts through the rich wings. Cook them with smoked turkey or ham hocks.
7. Candied Yams
Looking for something sweet? Roasted candied yams are glazed with brown sugar, butter, and spices for caramelized sweetness that contrasts turkey wings splendidly.
8. Green Bean Casserole
This Thanksgiving favorite combines green beans and mushrooms in a creamy sauce, then gets topped with crispy fried onions It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser alongside wings
9. Cranberry Sauce
Don’t forget the cranberry sauce! The tart, sweet flavor perfectly cuts through the savory wings. Make it fresh or open a can—just be sure it’s cold and firm.
10. Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad provides great texture contrast with its tender potatoes and crunch from celery tossed in a tangy dressing. It’s a classic accompaniment.
11. Baked Beans
Wings and beans go hand-in-hand. Baked beans simmered in a sweet and smoky sauce are satisfying. Try adding crispy bacon or pulled turkey for extra flavor.
12. Stuffing or Dressing
Moist, flavorful cornbread stuffing absorbs all the delicious turkey juices and sauce. Load it up with sausage, pecans, apples, or cranberries if you like.
13. Dinner Rolls
No plate of wings is complete without warm, fluffy dinner rolls for sopping up sauce or dressing. Brush melted butter on top when they come out of the oven.
14. Caprese Salad
For something fresh, a Caprese salad with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic dressing adds a bright, Mediterranean twist.
15. Onion Rings
Crunchy onion rings offer irresistible contrast with their crispy exterior and sweet, tender insides. Kids and adults alike will love this pairing.
16. Sweet Potato Fries
Swap regular fries for oven-baked sweet potato fries. They’re delicious seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, paprika, and pepper, and their natural sweetness balances the wings.
With so many options, you could enjoy turkey wings weekly and never tire of the combinations! Round out your meal with buttery dinner rolls and a crisp green salad.
Can I use chicken wings or drumsticks in this recipe?
Yes, this recipe would work just fine for chicken too! Chicken legs, wings, thighs, you name it. Keep an eye on the cooking times; chicken pieces will take less time since they’re typically smaller than turkey pieces.
Key Ingredients for the Best Baked Turkey Wings
To make this recipe, you need a few key ingredients. As always, I include the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below. Here’s what you need:
- Turkey Wings: as I said above, the wing is superior. Try a local butcher shop if you can’t find fresh or frozen turkey wings at your local grocery stores. For this recipe, feel free to buy whole wings and chop them up into pieces (I prefer to remove the wing tip).
- Seasoning Blend: the seasonings we use are crucial to giving these baked turkey wings their out-of-this-world flavor. I’ll give you the complete list below!
- Chicken Broth or Turkey Broth: I personally don’t notice a difference between the two—this recipe comes out great either way. If you can’t find regular turkey broth, try Better Than Bouillon, or make your own homemade turkey broth. Don’t have time? Chicken stock will do just fine.
- Lemons or Lemon Juice: now, this may seem like an odd-ball ingredient but trust me, Cousins—you don’t want to skip it! Lemon juice really elevates the flavor of the turkey AND the seasonings. Once you try it, you’ll want to flavor all your poultry with lemon!
Smothered Turkey Wings | Soul Food Turkey Recipe
FAQ
What sides go best with turkey wings?
Serve: Remove the turkey wings from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or greens.
What does turkey pair well with?
- Melting Potatoes.
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Onions, Spinach, and Cranberries.
- Buttermilk Cornbread.
- Parmesan Roasted Green Beans.
- Candied Sweet Potatoes.
- Lemon-Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce.
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts.
- Really Easy Bread Stuffing.
What sides go well with turkey legs?
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Balance flavors:Since turkey legs can be rich and savory, consider adding contrasting elements like sweet cranberry sauce or tart pickles.
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Seasonal options:Many traditional Thanksgiving sides like sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and green beans are great choices.
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Texture variety:Include both creamy options (like mashed potatoes) and crunchy elements (like roasted carrots) for a diverse eating experience.
What dish is served alongside the turkey?
Cornbread dressing,yams,Mac & cheese, collard greens with ham hocks. We also are making corn casserole and sweet potato pie. gotta be stuffing! Dressing!
What to serve with Turkey wings?
Potato Salad Undoubtedly, potato salad is among the most popular side dish to serve with turkey wings. It goes incredibly nicely with turkey wings. It’s a delicious, rich in taste, and fulfilling side dish. Additionally, the contrast between the hot wings and the cool potato salad is pleasing to the palate.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
What seasoning should I use for Turkey wings?
Seasoning for turkey wings: Pick your favorite dry rub or seasoning blend, whether from the store or homemade. Regular poultry seasoning or something spicy like Cajun seasoning or lemon pepper will work. Or try our Homemade Dry Rub for Wings. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities. How to roast turkey wings?