If you’ve never made smoked turkey wings, you're in for a treat. Once I took the leap and made them, they quickly became a favorite. There's something about that smoky flavor from a charcoal grill combined with tender meat that makes these wings a perfect dish for any occasion.
These wings are best served with classic Southern sides like my Southern Cucumber Tomato Salad, Soul Food Potato Salad, and Fluffy Southern-Style Sweet Potato Cornbread, or my classic Cast Iron Cornbread. With a few simple steps, you’ll be on your way to making perfect, tender smoked turkey wings.
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Ingredient Notes
So, grab your turkey wings! You'll need:
- Turkey Wings: They’re rich in flavor and remain tender when cooked low and slow.
- Cajun Seasoning: You can use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning, depending on your preference.
- Kosher Salt: It enhances the natural flavors of the turkey wings.
- Bell Peppers and Sweet Onion: These vegetables make a great base for your braising liquid.
- Beef Bouillon: Create a flavorful base for the turkey wings.
See recipe card for quantities.
Cree's Top Tips
Here are the best tips so your smoked turkey wings turn out tender, juicy, and full of flavor every time:
- Wrap in Aluminum Foil: This will lock in moisture and prevent the wings from drying out.
- Pat Dry Before Marinating: This ensures the marinade sticks well and helps the skin get crispy during smoking.
- Smoke Low and Slow: Keep your grill temperature at 300°F to ensure the wings cook slowly and evenly. If the temperature of your grill drops a little, it's totally okay.
- Rest the Wings: This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the wings tender and flavorful.
How to Make Charcoal Smoked Turkey Wings
Step-by-step instructions:
- Generously season the wings with your favorite seasoning blend, then add roughly chopped bell peppers and onions.
- Pour in a touch of braising liquid, creating a flavorful base that infuses the turkey wings as they smoke.
- Tightly cover with foil and place the wings on the grates of your charcoal grill, close the lid, and allow them to smoke.
- Flip the wings over, cover again with foil, and allow the other side to brown, so they cook and brown evenly.
- When they're done, flip the wings back over, let them rest for a few minutes to lock in the juices, and serve them hot.
Storage and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat: Place on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through.
📖 Recipe
Southern-Style Smoked Turkey Wings with Cajun Spices
Southern-Style Smoked Turkey Wings with Cajun SpicesThese smoked turkey wings are juicy, tender, and full of Cajun flavor. Perfect for cookouts or a casual dinner. Serve them with your favorite Southern sides.
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Calories: 468kcal
Southern-Style Smoked Turkey Wings with Cajun Spices
Equipment
- Charcoal grill
- Measuring spoons
- measuring cup
- 2 Aluminum cake pan
- Foil
Ingredients
- 6 lbs Turkey wings
- 2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 Orange bell pepper (roughly chopped)
- 1 Yellow bell pepper (roughly chopped)
- ½ Green bell pepper (roughly chopped)
- ½ Large sweet onion ((or 1 small sweet onion roughly chopped))
- 2 teaspoon Beef bouillon ((reduced sodium))
- 1 ½ cups Water (for braising liquid)
- Pure avocado spray ((optional))
Instructions
- Wash the bell peppers and pat them dry with paper towels. Slice the bell peppers and onion into fairly thick strips. Set aside.
- Wash the turkey wings under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Also, trim off any excess skin that hangs from the wings.
- Spray the turkey wings lightly with pure avocado oil spray (optional, but it helps the seasoning adhere better). Generously season the wings with Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Massage the seasoning into the meat. Let the wings marinate for 1 hour or overnight. Before placing on the grill, allow the wings to come to room temperature.
- In a measuring cup, add 2 teaspoon of beef bouillon and 1 ½ cups of water, stir to dissolve the bouillon. This will be your braising liquid.
- Place the seasoned turkey wings in an aluminum cake pan. Add the sliced orange, yellow, and green bell peppers, along with the sweet onion.
- Pour the braising liquid into the pans, but don't pour over the wings. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, ensuring no steam escapes.
- Place the pan with the covered turkey wings on the grill. Let the wings cook for 1 hour, 40 minutes, or until they're perfectly brown and tender.
- After the cooking time, remove the foil and flip the wings over to allow the other side to brown for about 10-15 minutes. Flip the wings back over, remove them from the grill. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Pair them with your favorite Southern sides like Southern Cucumber Tomato Salad, Southern Potato Salad, or Southern-Style Green Beans for a complete dinner.
Notes
- Wrap in Aluminum Foil: This will lock in moisture and prevent the wings from drying out.
- Pat Dry Before Marinating: This ensures the marinade sticks well and helps the skin get crispy during smoking.
- Smoke Low and Slow: Keep your grill temperature at 300°F to ensure the wings cook slowly and evenly. If the temperature of your grill drops a little, it's totally okay.
- Rest the Wings: This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the wings tender and flavorful.
Nutrition
Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 1122mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1412IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
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