This Smoked Turkey Wings recipe will show you the best way to make tender and juicy turkey in no time. These wings can be made with any smoker or pellet grill for Thanksgiving, BBQs, summer cookouts, or any occasion!
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Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Turkey Wings
- Olive Oil
- Brown Sugar or Sweetener
- Poultry Rub
Why We Eat Turkey Wings
A lot of us don’t like to make a whole turkey. There are also many of us that do not eat all of the meat on the turkey. We all have our favorites! A recipe like this is perfect for smaller groups. A lot of people also complain turkey is dry! We all know wings aren’t. So these are absolutely perfect for any spread.
Turkey is usually considered lean meat in comparison to most. It has a lot fewer calories and can be paired with just about any side dish.
Where to Buy Turkey Wings
Some standard grocers will keep brands like Butterball and Jenni-O on hand year round. Many retailers only carry them seasonally around fall. A local butcher is usually really helpful. Most major grocery stores, such as Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and Publix, carry turkey wings in the meat or poultry section, especially during the holiday season.
How to Split the Wings
Whole turkey wings can be bulky and uneven. When I find them at the store, they are usually still in whole form. Splitting them into sections (drumette, flat, and tip) ensures they cook more evenly and get perfectly tender without drying out. I always split the wings, they are so much easier to eat!
Here's how you split them:
- Lay each wing flat on a cutting board, skin side down.
- Identify the joints: You'll see two natural joints—one between the drumette and flat, and another between the flat and tip.
- Cut through the joints with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. You shouldn’t have to force it—cut right through the soft spot in the joint.
- Discard the wing tips or save them for homemade stock or gravy base.
How to Season the Turkey
I use my Homemade BBQ Rub and Seasoning for these. It’s a combination of the following:
How to Smoke Turkey Wings
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pat the wings dry and rub the spices into the wings.
- Place the wings on the smoker. Smoke.
- If you like crispy skin, once the wings have cooked, adjust the temperature to 350 degrees. Cook until crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions and Pro Tips
Smoke the wings at 225 degrees.
You will need to smoke the wings until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Cook time will vary based on the size of your wings. Flats will cook faster than drums. Keep a close watch and monitor if these need to be pulled from the smoker earlier than the other wings.
I love to use apple. You can also use the Traeger Signature blend, cherry, pecan, oak, peach, or alder.
You will need to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of one the turkey wings. According to the USDA, Poultry must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.
The skin should be golden-brown and crispy. When you cut into the turkey wing, the juices should run clear, not pink or red. Pink juices indicate the turkey may need more cooking time. The meat should easily pull away from the bone when it's done. If it's still tough or chewy, it likely needs more time in the air fryer.
Check out the gravy details from my Smothered Turkey Wings recipe here.
Yes. Turkey legs will follow a similar cook time and at the same temperature.
Absolutely. You can also use chicken drumsticks. Be sure to test if the chicken is done my inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest parts of one of the pieces of chicken. Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
Once the wings have finished smoking, increase the temperature to 350 degrees. Cook both sides of the wings until crisp.
Cooked wings can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.
You can freeze leftover wings tightly covered and sealed. For best taste, they will last up to 3 months. Defrost the wings overnight in the fridge and reheat.
More Turkey Recipes
Smothered Turkey Necks
Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast
Baked Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Breast
Baked Turkey Legs
Smoked Turkey Legs
Grilled Turkey Legs
Pair this with Oven Baked Roasted Corn on the Cob.
More and Traeger and Smoker Recipes
Traeger Smoked Bacon
Traeger Smoked Burgers
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Traeger Smoked Salmon
Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Traeger Chicken Wings
Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken
Traeger Smoked Brisket
Pair this with my Turkey Graving From Drippings, Yellow Gravy Without Drippings, or Keto Low Carb Gravy.
Watch step by step video instructions on how to make this recipe on Youtube.
Smoked Turkey Wings
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Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds turkey wings Whole or split.
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil Use enough to coat each wing.
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar or sweetener
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225 degrees.
- Pat the wings dry. Drizzle both sides of the wings with olive oil and then sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the wings. Be sure to use enough spices to cover the skin of both sides of the wings. Add additional as necessary to prevent bland wings.
- Rub the spices into the wings.
- Place the wings on the smoker. Smoke the wings until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Cook time will vary based on the size of your wings. Mine took about 2 hours. Flats will cook faster than drums. Keep a close watch and monitor if these need to be pulled from the smoker earlier than the other wings.
- If you like crispy skin, once the wings have cooked, adjust the temperature to 350 degrees. Cook for 15-20 minutes until crisp, flipping both sides.
- Cool before serving.
Video
Notes
- You can use whole wings or split wings. I prefer split because they cook at even temperature and will easily fit in the air fryer. I also prefer the wing tip removed.
- I love to use apple wood pellets. You can also use the Traeger Signature blend, cherry, pecan, oak, peach, or alder.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Jenn says
This is brilliant! I adore the flavors of turkey and never thought to cook up the wings and drummies -- thanks so much for the recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Marsha says
Absolutely love this recipe! Love the spices used.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad to hear it.