Turkey Wings

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5 from 102 votes
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These baked turkey wings have a perfectly seasoned and crispy skin that covers the juiciest and most moist meat. Minimal prep is needed, and so delicious! 

turkey wings.

Turkey is one of my favorite proteins to cook with.

I use it in many family dinners, including meatballs, burgers, and a simple roasted breast. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with turkey wings and have a new favorite.

Table of Contents
  1. Why this recipe works
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make baked turkey wings
  4. Baked turkey wings cooking time
  5. Recipe tips and variations
  6. Storage instructions
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. More recipes using turkey to try
  9. Baked Turkey Wings Recipe (Recipe Card)

Why this recipe works

  • Perfectly seasoned yet simple. Like turkey drumsticks, this recipe doesn’t go heavy on spices and herbs. A few simple spices and herbs are used to make well-seasoned wings. 
  • Hands-off cooking. I love how oven baking the wings is an almost hands-off approach. It’s almost as easy as smoked turkey wings.
  • Crispy and flavorful. Cooking the wings covered first yields juicy and tender turkey while cooking it open at the end results in crispy skin. 
  • Easier than a whole turkey. My family LOVES a whole roasted turkey, but I often keep that for special occasions. The wings, though, I can make every week. They are also way cheaper too.

What I love about this recipe is that it is perfect for the holiday season! I’ve started cooking these as part of Thanksgiving dinner, and my extended family and friends prefer this to the actual bird! 

Ingredients needed

Besides the wings themselves and some seasonings, there really isn’t much else needed to make these oven roasted turkey wings. Here is what you’ll need:

  • Whole turkey wings. Separated and bone-in. Turkey wings are typically separated into three parts – drumettes, wingettes, and wingtips. My local butcher (and most butchers, it seems) can separate them for you, but if your whole wing is intact, it’s very easy to do so yourself.
  • Chicken stock. Homemade or store-bought. Turkey stock will work too. 
  • Olive oil. To mix with the spices and coat the wings before baking them. 
  • Spices. Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder are all I use for this recipe. It may be quite minimal, but trust me, the flavors pack a punch.
  • Herbs. Dried thyme, Rosemary, and parsley pair well with turkey. I know it may be tempting to use fresh herbs, but when roasting or baking, fresh ones tend to burn VS seep into the meat. Because of this, I recommend only the dried kind.
  • Salt and pepper. To taste. 

How to make baked turkey wings

Besides a few minutes to prep, the oven takes care of all the hard work. Ready to roast up some crispy wings?

Step 1 – Marinate the turkey wings. Mix the olive oil with salt, dried herbs, and spices in a mixing bowl. Dredge to coat the wings in the spice mixture, cover, and allow to marinate for 5 minutes, or up to 30 minutes. 

seasoned turkey wings.

Step 2 – Bake. Transfer the wings to a baking dish and pour the chicken stock around them. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven preheated to 190C/375F degrees for 30 minutes. 

turkey wings in baking dish.

Step 3- Broil. After this time, remove the foil cover and cook for 15 minutes until the wings are golden and crispy on the edges. 

baked turkey wings.

Baked turkey wings cooking time

Depending on the size of the wings and how well your oven cooks things, turkey wings may take as little as 30 minutes or up to an hour to cook. With my oven (I have a Miele 2.0), it typically takes around 45 minutes.

The BEST way to check if your wings are done is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The FDA recommends cooking the turkey until it reaches 165F in the thickest part of the wing.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Pat dry the wings. Doing this helps crisp up the wings faster when you broil them.
  • Don’t skip the chicken stock. Pouring the stock around the wings and baking them covered creates a flavorful steam that cooks the turkey to perfection and infuses it with lots of flavor and moisture. Don’t fret though- the exterior will be super crispy.
  • Save the drippings. I love saving the turkey’s pan drippings to make a simple gravy. All I do is whisk in some extra chicken broth (around 1/2 cup), one tablespoon of cornstarch, and a little extra salt and pepper.
  • Use turkey legs. This recipe works perfectly well for turkey legs, too. 
  • Change up the seasonings. I sometimes like to use a poultry seasoning or cover the wings in a flavorful sauce before baking. Like chicken wings, they are so easy to adapt.

Storage instructions

To store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

To freeze. Baked wings can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

To reheat. The best way to reheat these, whether frozen or right out of the fridge, is to bake them covered with foil until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165F degrees in the thickest part. Once heated through, broil the wings for a few minutes to crisp them up again. 

turkey wing recipes.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my turkey wings tough?

Overcooking and undercooking turkey wings are the main reasons they turn out tough.

Are baked turkey wings healthy?

This particular baked turkey wings recipe is healthy. Turkey wings are high in protein and a range of other essential nutrients. 

With this said, turkey wings are considered dark meat. This means they are higher in calories and fat than turkey breast. So, consume them in moderation and paired with healthy side dishes. 

Can I bake turkey wings with gravy?

Yes, you can bake turkey wings smothered in gravy. However, note that this cooking method won’t yield crispy results. 

Can I use frozen turkey wings?

I prefer fresh turkey wings because, through recipe testing, I find they retain the most juice and flavor. However, frozen wings will work, but you’ll need to thaw them completely and pat them dry to soak up excess water.

More recipes using turkey to try

turkey wings recipe.

Baked Turkey Wings Recipe

5 from 102 votes
These baked turkey wings have a perfectly seasoned and crispy skin that covers the juiciest and most moist meat. Minimal prep is needed, and so delicious!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 46 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 3 portions turkey wings separated to make 9 pieces
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth or turkey broth

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 190C/375F and arrange a rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Mix the dry seasoning ingredients. 
  • 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.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove the foil and let it cook uncovered until crispy and golden and the wings reach an internal temperature of 165F.

Notes

TO STORE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
TO FREEZE: Baked turkey wings can be frozen for up to 3 months. 
TO REHEAT: The best way to reheat turkey wings, whether frozen or right out of the fridge, is to bake them covered with foil until they rich a safe internal temperature of 165F degrees in the thickest part. Once heated through, broil the wings for a few minutes to crisp them up again.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 30gFat: 17gSodium: 968mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 0.3gVitamin A: 243IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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