Finding the Best Smoked Turkey Necks for Soups, Stews and More

Smoked turkey necks are a delicious, flavorful addition to soups, stews, beans and greens. When simmered, these bony cuts impart deep, smoky flavor while thickening the cooking liquid. If you love using turkey necks to boost taste and nutrition in your dishes, read on for the top places to buy high-quality pre-smoked necks.

Online and Mail Order Sources

Buying smoked turkey necks online is convenient, delivers right to your door and provides access to specialty producers.

Farmers Fresh Meat

This Houston-based butcher shop offers mail order cases of smoked turkey necks (30 lbs) for just $2.83 per pound. Their 100% natural necks are smoked with real hardwood for authentic flavor. You can even customize the cut to your preferences.

Albert’s Smoked Turkey Necks

From Canadian company Wholey, these pre-smoked necks come in 5 lb vacuum-sealed packages The hormone and antibiotic-free necks are smoked with a blend of maple and apple wood Pricing is around $3.99 per pound.

Walton’s Smoked Turkey Necks

Walton’s, a Missouri meat producer, vacuum packs fully-cooked smoked turkey necks (around 3 lbs) for under $4 per pound. Their hickory-smoked necks are tender and meaty.

Carmen’s Smokehouse

Order 5 lb. cases of Carmen’s applewood smoked turkey necks for bulk savings. Based in Washington state, Carmen’s nitrate-free necks cost about $3.50 per pound.

Specialty Retailers and Butcher Shops

Check any butcher shops and meat markets in your area that do their own in-house smoking. These local spots may offer custom-smoked turkey necks.

Specialty Butchers

High-end butcher shops like Porter Road and Pat LaFrieda carry limited quantities of house-smoked turkey necks when available Sign up for email lists to get first dibs when they come in stock

Farmer’s Markets

Look for vendors at your local farmer’s market that sell pasture-raised poultry, Ask if they can specially smoke turkey necks for you This ensures locally-sourced necks and quality smoking,

Latino Carnicerias

Visit Latino grocers and butcher shops where you’ll often find house-smoked turkey necks (cuellos de pavo ahumado) sold in smaller 1-2 lb packages. Prices are usually around $2-3 per pound.

National Grocery Store Chains

For convenient one-stop turkey neck shopping, check larger national supermarket chains.

Walmart

Walmart stocks Badia brand smoked turkey necks in 3 lb packs for around $3 per pound. Keep an eye out for in-store only deals.

Safeway

Safeway’s butcher departments will special order smoked turkey necks on request. Allow 1-2 days. Approximate cost is $3.99 lb. You can also find them occasionally stocked ready-to-go.

Kroger

Ask the meat department at Kroger, Ralphs or other banner stores to smoke fresh turkey necks inhouse. Expect to pay between $2-4 per pound.

Publix

Publix’s turkey necks are sliced and smoked fresh by their on-site butchers. Call your local store’s meat department to order. Average pricing is $3 per pound.

Tips for Buying and Using Smoked Turkey Necks

• Look for necks that are meaty and not overly fatty. Avoid any with dry or cracked skin.

• Opt for no-nitrate or nitrite smoked when possible. Nitrite-free necks tend to cost a bit more.

• Estimate about 1 pound of necks per person when making soups or beans using them for flavor.

• For stews, figure approximately 1-2 necks per person depending on neck size and number of servings.

• Simmer necks low and slow in liquid for 1-2 hours until meat falls off the bone for tender smoked flavor.

With so many options for where to source smoked turkey necks, you can easily add their signature smoky taste to enrich your favorite dishes. Just be sure to allot plenty of cooking time for them to impart maximum flavor.