Tender, tasty, and oh-so-versatile, it’s no wonder why turkey is a kitchen staple. If this delicious roasted turkey wings recipe hits the spot, I have so many other turkey recipes guaranteed to delight your tastebuds—without having to cook the entire turkey! My Baked Turkey Tenderloin is an elegant, herby main worthy of a food magazine spread, while my Turkey Drumsticks packs all the juicy, savory goodness of the whole bird in perfectly portioned pieces.
Marinating is key to making turkey wings flavorful and tender. The right marinade infuses seasoning deep into the meat while helping break down collagen. With so many options, what should you marinate turkey wings in?
The best marinades for turkey wings contain a balance of flavorful ingredients:
Acidic Liquid
Buttermilk yogurt lemon juice, vinegar – the acid tenderizes the meat.
Oil
Olive or vegetable oil helps the marinade coat the wings and crisps the skin when cooked.
Aromatics
Onion, garlic, ginger add tons of flavor.
Herbs & Spices
Choose spices like paprika, cumin, chili powder. Fresh or dried herbs work too.
Sweetener
Honey, brown sugar, maple syrup balance out other flavors.
Soy Sauce/Worcestershire
Adds a savory umami kick.
Mustard
An extra burst of tanginess.
With these building blocks, you can create endless marinade combinations to suit any flavor profile.
Here are some of the most popular and proven marinades for delicious turkey wings:
1. Basic Herb Marinade
This easy marinade packs a flavor punch with bright herb notes.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2. Greek Yogurt Marinade
Yogurt tenderizes while lemon, garlic and herbs give it a fresh Greek taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3. Italian Dressing Marinade
Quick and easy flavor from bottled Italian dressing doctored up with extra herbs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4. Soy Sauce, Ginger and Garlic
A classic Asian marinade perfect for turkey wings.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
5. Beer and BBQ Sauce
Beer’s slight acidity helps tenderize while BBQ sauce packs sweet, tangy flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle beer
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
6. Chipotle Adobo Marinade
Smoky chipotle pepper and adobo sauce inject big, bold flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 chipotle pepper, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
7. Jerk Marinade
Caribbean spices like allspice, garlic and habanero bring the heat.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 habanero peppers, seeded and minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
8. Cranberry Sauce Marinade
Sweet and tart cranberry sauce makes these wings a holiday hit.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 shallots, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Marinating Tips
Follow these tips to infuse maximum flavor into your turkey wings:
- Pat wings dry before marinating so the marinade can penetrate.
- Mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl or resealable plastic bag.
- Use 1/2 cup marinade per 1 pound of wings.
- Place wings in the marinade and turn to coat evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Discard used marinade before cooking. Do not reuse.
Cooking Marinated Turkey Wings
You can bake, grill or air fry marinated turkey wings. Always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
To bake:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place wings on a wire rack set on a baking sheet.
- Bake 25-30 minutes per side until cooked through and skin is crispy.
To grill:
- Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- Grill wings for 10-15 minutes per side with lid closed as much as possible.
To air fry:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Air fry wings in batches for 10-12 minutes, flipping once.
Marinating is a must for flavorful turkey wings. Choose a marinade with acid, oil, aromatics and spices. Refrigerate the wings for several hours before cooking until fully done. The possibilities are endless for customizing a marinade to suit your taste. With the right marinade, you’ll have tender, juicy wings bursting with flavor.
How to Make It
This oven-baked turkey wings recipe takes only a handful of simple steps, giving you tender, juicy turkey no matter when you prepare it.
- Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Dry the meat: Place the turkey wings on a cutting board and use paper towels to pat dry each piece on all sides. Once dry, transfer the wings to a large bowl.
- Season the turkey wings: Drizzle olive oil over the turkey wings and sprinkle them with an even coating of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, parsley, cayenne pepper (if using), Kosher salt, and pepper.
- Marinate turkey wings: Toss the ingredients until thoroughly combined. Then, cover the bowl with stretch film and let the meat sit in the turkey wing marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge. If possible, I recommend marinating the turkey wings overnight to ensure they soak up as much flavor as possible.
- Add the stock: When ready to bake, place the marinated turkey wings in a Dutch oven or casserole dish and add the stock to the base.
- Roast the turkey wings: Cover the dish with aluminum foil or the lid of your Dutch oven. Then, bake the turkey wings for one hour. After one hour, remove the foil and cook them in the baking dish for another 30 minutes. You may remove your slow-baked turkey wings from the oven when their thickest portions reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. However, it is OK to let the meat cook until it reaches a maximum of 180 degrees F.
- Serve: Transfer the roast turkey wings to a serving platter when ready. Drizzle them with the juices in the pan for maximum juiciness and flavor, then garnish the meat with fresh herbs.
How to Make Turkey Wings Crispy?
For extra crispy baked turkey wings, broil them for a few minutes. Here is how I do it:
- Remove the cooked turkey from the pan after baking and transfer the wings to a sheet pan lined with a wire rack.
- Place the meat under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until the skin crisps up. However, keep a close eye on the turkey to avoid burning, as this meat can go from perfectly juicy to thoroughly dry in very little time.
- Let the broiled turkey wings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Juicy Baked Turkey Wings | You’ll Never Bake Turkey Any Other Way
FAQ
What can I marinate turkey with?
Mix fresh herbs like chives, sage, and oregano, with garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, and mustard.Jul 17, 2020
What seasoning to put on turkey wings?
Mix the salt, smoked paprika, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme in a bowl. Dredge the wings in spices and olive oil in a bowl and marinate for at least 5 minutes or up to 30 minutes. Transfer the turkey wings to a baking dish and pour the broth around them.
How to season a turkey for the best flavor?
- Add the salt, dried thyme, rosemary, sage, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to a small bowl.
- Stir until all of the spices are combined and evenly distributed.
- To season a turkey, generously brush a 12-15 pound turkey with olive oil or melted butter.