Name: Smothered Turkey Wings
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 120 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs turkey wings (turkey legs will also work (if you'd like see if the butcher can cut your wing in half like I did)); 1/2 tbsp kosher salt (more or less to taste); 1 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp onion powder; 2 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp cooking oil; 3 tbsp flour; 1 clove garlic (minced); 1/4 cup onion (chopped); 3 cups chicken broth (or water)

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** Updated: 11/21/2020 **

Tender Turkey Wings smothered in a velvety gravy served over a bed of rice.

When I think of smothered turkey wings, 4 words come to mind... childhood, comfort food, family, and Sunday. Today, I went down memory lane and wanted to share this recipe in hopes of you bringing it to your kitchen table to enjoy.

If you prefer making turkey parts instead of a whole turkey, this recipe is for you. It's easy, flavorful, and is a perfect option for a Sunday dinner, holiday, or other special occasion.

Recipe Ingredients

Turkey Wings

Turkey wings
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika

Homemade Gravy

Cooking oil/Butter
Flour
Minced garlic and/or onion
Salt
Black pepper
Chicken broth

How to make smothered turkey wings

Wash and pat dry turkey wings with paper towels
Prepare a baking sheet with nonstick foil or spray with avocado oil to avoid wings from sticking to baking sheet
Arrange wings on prepared baking sheet and season
Place turkey wings uncovered in oven to roast until skin turns a nice brown color and the internal temperature reads 165
Make gravy and add turkey wings to the gravy
Cover with foil and simmer until turkey wings are tender (you will not overcook the turkey wings while they're summering)

Do you cook turkey wings covered or uncovered

When baking, turkey wings should be cooked uncovered especially if you're going for a beautiful crispy golden brown skin. There's nothing like a perfectly seasoned golden brown crispy turkey wing.

However, if you're looking to smother your baked turkey wings in a delicious gravy as in this recipe, the crispiness of the skin will be loss due to the nature of the gravy.

Recipe tips

Turkey wings:

Bring turkey wings to room temperature before baking in oven
Season well
Bake turkey wings in the oven uncovered to form the beautiful brown skin
I like having the butcher cut the turkey wings in half (this is totally optional)
Let the turkey wings simmer in the gravy before serving for added flavor
Do not use a baking dish or roasting pan that's too wide whereby the turkey wings can't properly simmer in the gravy

Homemade Gravy:

When making the gravy:

Season with kosher salt
Use chicken broth as your liquid instead of water for added flavor (pour liquid slowly while whisking)
Whisk constantly to prevent a lumpy gravy
If gravy looks lumpy, pour gravy through a sieve to catch the lumps then you're left with a smooth gravy
If gravy is too thick add more liquid, if too then add more flour making sure to whisk continuously
You can certainly use water instead of chicken broth but chicken broth add a lot more flavor

What to serve with smothered turkey wings

Without question, rice should be served with smothered turkey wings. Really, what's the point of having gravy without rice. That's not even a thing... is it?

Since this recipe is rich in flavor, I would recommend a side dish that's light and fresh for balance. The types of vegetables to serve are limitless. You can't go wrong with:

Simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
Other leafy greens (sauteed or roasted) - collard greens, kale, spinach, chard, green cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli
Sauteed snap peas or Sauteed Green Beans

You make also like:

Smothered turkey wings can be served on top of a bed of rice or these Creamy Herb Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Either way, make it a complete dinner by serving alongside one of these veggie dishes.

Crispy Oven Roasted Broccolini

Vegan Roasted Beet Salad with Grilled Peaches

Simple Arugula Salad With Nectarines

Roasted Asparagus With Garlic

Vegetable Salad with Lettuce

Roasted Beets in Foil

Connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipe ideas.

Thanks for visiting.

~Cree

close-up of turkey wings in gravy served on white plate

Smothered Turkey Wings

Smothered Turkey Wings served over a bed of rice is comfort food at its best. It's seasoned to perfection and simmered in a rich homemade gravy and makes for the most comforting Sunday dinner.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

Turkey Wings

2 lbs turkey wings (turkey legs will also work (if you'd like see if the butcher can cut your wing in half like I did))

Seasoning Blend

½ tbsp kosher salt (more or less to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp smoked paprika

Homemade Gravy for this recipe

2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp cooking oil
3 tbsp flour
1 clove garlic (minced)
¼ cup onion (chopped)
3 cups chicken broth (or water)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cover baking sheet with nonstick foil or spray avocado oil on foil to prevent sticking. Wash and pat dry turkey wings with paper towels. Season wings and place on baking sheet. Place in preheated oven to brown skin. Use a meat thermometer to check when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Homemade Gravy

Place a sauce pan over medium high heat. Add grape-seed oil or other cooking oil and butter. When hot, add onions and saute until onions are softened about 30 seconds. Add garlic and saute just until fragrant. Add flour and move flour around sauce pan until slightly brown about 2 to 4 minutes. Add chicken broth slowly and whisk continuously until gravy begins to thicken. If gravy becomes too thick add a little more chicken broth at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. The gravy should coat the back of a spoon. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
Depending on the vessel that you're using. Add the wings to the gravy or pour the gravy over the wings when the wings are done. I added the wings to the dutch oven that I used to make the gravy.
Cover and place wings back in the oven to simmer in the gravy for an additional 30 minutes.
Serve smothered wings over a bed of rice and enjoy.

Notes

**Please note: Nutritional values serve as a guide only as values may vary.

Turkey Wings:

Before placing turkey wings in oven make sure they are at room temperature

Use foil to line the baking sheet for easy clean-up

Season wings liberally

Bake wings uncovered so the skin can brown nicely

Have the butcher cut the wings in half (that way you can purchase less)

Simmering the turkey wings enhance the flavor of the gravy while tenderizing the meat

Be mindful of the size of the baking dish so the wings can properly simmer in the gravy