This braised turkey neck recipe turns basic ingredients into something that tastes amazing. The turkey necks are seared until golden brown then slow-cooked in a flavorful broth infused with sauteed onion. They're then served over a bed of Herb Garlic Mashed Potatoes for a comforting Fall dinner.
If you've never tried them you're truly missing out. They've got dark meat that's incredibly flavorful and juicy.
Here's the thing, cooking low and slow requires patience but when cooked properly the end result is melt-in-your-mouth tender meat.
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Ingredient Notes
This recipe is so simple to make and requires only a handful of ingredients and makes for a great weekend dinner that's cozy and comforting.
- Cajun seasoning: Adds a delicious bold flavor
- Aromatics: Sauteing the onion in the same skillet that you used to sear the turkey necks allows the onion to soak up some of those flavorful brown bits.
- Braising liquid: Braising in chicken broth is far more flavorful then using water.
Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed information.
Equipment
When making turkey necks, I recommend a dutch oven or an oven-safe skillet, so you can sear your necks on top of the stove-top then immediately place them in the oven to continue the cooking process. This is the beauty of owning a dutch oven - they're oven safe.
How to Make Braised Turkey Necks
If you're a seasoned home cook or just starting in the kitchen, I'll walk you through each step to make the most tender braised turkey necks. So, gather all your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let's get into this dish.
- Wash your turkey necks under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Season liberally with kosher salt and a Cajun spice blend (alternatively, you can season with any of your favorite seasonings).
- Add cooking oil to the dutch oven and sear both sides of the turkey necks then place them on a clean plate and set aside.
- In the same dutch oven, saute the onions and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth then add the turkey necks back to the dutch oven.
- Use the lid to cover the necks then place them in the oven to braise.
- Remove your turkey necks from the oven when they're done. Then, spoon the sauce over each one until they're evenly coated.
- Serve over a bed of mashed potatoes or rice.
Top Tips
- You'll mostly find turkey necks at your local grocery store during the holiday season.
- Place them on your counter top and bring them to room temperature before you begin cooking.
- To get a really nice sear, it's important to pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Season your turkey necks generously with Cajun seasoning or your favorite spice blend.
- I highly recommend taking the time to sear them before braising them. Searing adds an extra layer of flavor.
- For the most tender turkey necks, they should be braised in some sort of liquid such as water, chicken broth or stock. Keep in mind that chicken broth adds more flavor than just water.
FAQ
Before braising, I recommend adding a little cooking oil to your dutch oven or oven-safe skillet and sear both sides of your turkey necks for approximately 8 minutes. Then, braise them in the oven between 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours for them to come out fork tender.
You can clean turkey necks like you would any other raw meat by simply rinsing them really well under cool water. It's important to follow safety guidelines when handling any type of raw meat in order to prevent cross contamination and/or any food-borne illnesses
Store leftover turkey necks along with the pan juices in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid and place in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When you're ready to reheat, remove the turkey necks from the fridge and place in an oven-safe skillet or dutch oven. Place them in a 375 degree preheated oven until warm throughout. This may take about 20 minutes.
Braised turkey necks can be eaten on their own as in this recipe. They can also be used in soups, stews, or for making black-eyed peas, beans or other dishes to add flavor.
Other Ways to Serve Turkey Necks
Although they're often overlooked, they can be transformed into a dish that'll impress your family and friends because of their versatility. Here are a couple of ways to elevate your next recipe using turkey necks.
Smoked Turkey Necks: Sure, you can smoke turkey necks on your own if you have a smoker. I do not. So, if I need smoked turkey necks for a recipe, I'll go straight to my local grocery store and purchase them there and that's it... easy and done. By the way, if you purchase them from the grocery store, they are fully cooked.
Smoked turkey necks are perfect for adding amazing flavor to collard greens, mustard greens, beans, stews or chili.
Smothered Turkey Necks: Turkey necks are perfect for creating a smooth and luscious homemade gravy. Similar to this turkey neck recipe, smothered turkey necks are amazing over rice or a bed of mashed potatoes.
More Fall Turkey Recipes
Whether you’re planning a festive dinner or simply craving something comforting, you’ll find a recipe here that’s perfect for the season.
- Turkey Soup Recipe
- Easy Dutch Oven Cajun Turkey Breast (Bone In)
- Cajun Oven Roasted Turkey Thighs
- Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe
📖 Recipe
Braised Turkey Neck Recipe
Braised Turkey Neck RecipeEquipment
- 1 Dutch oven or oven-safe skillet with lid or cover securely with foil if you do not have a lid
- 1 Chopping board
- 1 Chef's knife for chopping onion and mincing garlic
Ingredients
- 5 lbs turkey necks
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Cajun spice blend
- 2 tablespoon grape-seed oil
- 29 oz low sodium chicken broth (2-14.5 ounce cans)
- ½ onions (chopped)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Wash turkey necks and pat dry with paper towels and season with kosher salt and Cajun spice blend.
- Add cooking oil to dutch oven or oven-safe skillet and place over medium-high heat. Place turkey necks in dutch oven and sear or brown both sides for about 8 minutes. After searing, place turkey necks on a clean plate. Set aside.
- In the same dutch oven, add more oil if necessary then saute onions and minced garlic until fragrant. De-glaze with chicken broth and add additional broth. Add browned turkey necks back to dutch oven and cover with lid. Place in the oven and cook for 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours.
- Remove from oven and serve over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes. Spoon pan juices over the top and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- You'll mostly find turkey necks at your local grocery store during the holiday season.
- Place them on your counter top and bring them to room temperature before you begin cooking.
- To get a really nice sear, it's important to pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Season your turkey necks generously with Cajun seasoning or your favorite spice blend.
- I highly recommend taking the time to sear them before braising them. Searing adds an extra layer of flavor.
- For the most tender turkey necks, they should be braised in some sort of liquid such as water, chicken broth or stock. Keep in mind that chicken broth adds more flavor than just water.
Nutrition
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.
Jenny says
I just made this tonight and it was amazing!! Threw my turkey gizzards and hearts in too! My boy gobbled it up. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!!
Cree says
Hi Jenny - I know your time is precious. Thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment this is so appreciated. It warms my heart even more to know that it's kid approved. Thanks again.
Paul says
Manny greetings from germany.
I found turkey necks in our local grocerystore yesterday.
And think to myself hmm paul in germany u dont find a tasty recipe,now i found u.
I make it in my ft9 dutchoven,and belive it hope its verry tasty and spicy.
170 ° 2 hours in the oven.
Greetings paul
Cree says
Greetings Paul - Let me know how your dish turned out. It's much easier to find turkey necks in the U.S. around the holidays, and I'm so glad you found some. Looking forward to hearing back. Take care.
Jocelyn says
I never thought to cook turkey necks but OMG this sounds very flavorful and decadent. My kind of recipe! I’ll be sure to give this a try.
Cree says
Hey Jocelyn - Turkey necks are delicious. I cannot wait for you to try. If you do, please be sure to let me know how they turned out. Hope to hear back from you soon. Take care ~ Cree
Laurence Needleman says
My wife thought that this was one of the best meals she ever had! (Turkey - who would have thought?)
Thanks.
CookingwithBliss says
Hey Laurence - Your comment has definitely made my day and thanks so much for returning to Cooking With Bliss to leave a comment. This means so much. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe week. Take care ~Cree
Claire says
This is a wonderful recipe! I am looking forward to trying this and many of your recipes thank you!
Cree says
Hi Claire - You are very welcome and thank you for your kind words. It means so much.