Baked Turkey Wings

Savor the flavor with our irresistible Baked Turkey Wings recipe! You will learn how to cook the best oven roasted wings that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and literally fall off the bone. This tender meat it a staple dish for any soul food spread.

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Baking wings for Sunday dinners or the holidays just got a lot easier!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Rich Taste: Turkey wings offer a unique flavor profile compared to other parts of the bird. They have a slightly richer taste and can be seasoned and prepared in various ways.
• Texture: When cooked properly, they have an amazing combination of crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. A lot of people also complain turkey is dry! We all know wings aren’t. So these are absolutely perfect for any spread.
• Great for Smaller Gatherings: 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! And also, if 2020 taught us nothing, it showed us sometimes we will have to spend holidays and celebrate special times with much smaller gatherings.
• Lean: Turkey is usually considered a lean meat in comparison to most. It has a lot less calories and can be paired with just about any side dish.

Where to Buy and How to Shop

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. Here are some other things to consider:

• Freshness: Look for turkey wings that have a fresh appearance. They should have a pinkish hue with no signs of discoloration or unpleasant odors. Check the sell-by date to ensure freshness.
• Size: Choose wings that are of similar size if you plan to cook them together. This ensures even cooking and presentation. However, keep in mind that larger wings may take longer to cook.
• Skin Condition: Inspect the skin of the turkey. It should be intact without any tears or blemishes. The skin adds flavor and helps to retain moisture during cooking.
• Organic or Free-Range Options: If possible, opt for organic or free-range turkey wings. These options are typically raised without antibiotics or hormones and may have a better flavor and texture.
• Frozen vs. Fresh: Decide whether you want to purchase fresh or frozen wings. Fresh wings are ideal if you plan to cook them immediately, while frozen wings can be stored for a longer period and thawed when needed.
• Butcher or Supermarket: Visit a reputable butcher or supermarket known for its quality meat selection. The staff can provide assistance and ensure you get the best turkey wings for your needs.

Key Recipe Ingredients

• Turkey Wings
• Onions
• Olive Oil
• Spice Blend: Poultry Seasoning, Thyme, Oregano, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Salt, and Pepper
• Broth

Do You Use Whole Wings or Split?

This is up to you. Split wings (split into drums and flats) will cook at a more even temperature. This is also better for even browning of the skin. I use these cooking shears from Amazon to cut into the wings and split them.

The wing is is made up of 3 parts: the drumette, the wingette, and the wing tip. The drumette looks like a small drumstick and usually has more meat.  It’s mostly dark meat, and is slightly juicier than the wingette.

The wingette is often called the flat, is the middle section that is made of two bones running horizontally through the middle of it with meat in the middle.  Because it’s thinner, this part normally crisps up easier when cooking them with the thicker drumette portions.

The wing tip doesn’t have much flavor, but you can save it if you plan to make homemade broth.

You can separate the wings yourself by cutting at the elbow joint to separate the drum from the wingette. From there you can remove the wing tip to display a flat if you wish.

How to Make Baked Turkey Wings

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

1. Place sliced onions into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Place the wings in the dish and drizzle both sides of the wings olive oil and then sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the wings.
3. Rub the spices into the wings.
4. Pour the broth along the edges of the baking dish.
5. Bake.

How Long to Bake

Bake the wings for 2 hours.

How to Tell When the Turkey is Done

• Internal Temperature: 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.
• How it Looks: They should have golden brown skin and no traces of pink or raw meat near the bones. The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
• Texture: The meat should feel tender and easily pull away from the bone when prodded with a fork. If the meat is still tough and not easily separated from the bone, it likely needs more time to cook.

How to Get Crispy Skin

The wings are baked and covered at a lower temperature initially, in order to cook the turkey throughout. After the wings have baked for an hour and a half, remove the wings from the baking dish. Adjust the heat on the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and then place a wire wrack on top. Place the wings on the rack and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until crisp. The air flow will crisp the chicken.

How to Give Them Smoky Flavor

I like to use smoked paprika to accomplish this. You can also drizzle a teaspoon of liquid smoke over the wings prior to adding the spices.

Substitutions and Add-ins

• Cajun Seasoning
• Lemon Herb Seasoning
• Teriyaki Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Jerk Seasoning
• Vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, and celery can be added to the roasting pan for additional flavor and texture.
• Potatoes: Quartered potatoes can be placed around the wings in the roasting pan to soak up the juices and add a delicious side dish.
• Citrus: Slices of lemon, lime, or orange can be placed on top of the wings before roasting for a citrusy flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: Sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage can be tucked under the turkey wings or sprinkled on top for added aroma and flavor.
• Hot Sauce: For those who enjoy extra heat, drizzle hot sauce over the turkey before or after baking for a spicy kick.
• Maple Syrup: A drizzle of maple syrup before baking adds a touch of sweetness and caramelization.

Can You Use Turkey Legs or Drumsticks?

Yes. Turkey legs will follow a similar cook time and at the same temperature.

Can You Use Chicken Wings?

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.

How to Store Them

Cooked wings can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.

Freezer Tips

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.

What to Pair With These Wings

Southern Soul Food Mac and Cheese
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Southern Baked Ham With Pineapple
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Okra and Tomatoes
Southern Style Green Beans
Southern Baked Beans
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Scalloped Corn
Seafood Mac and Cheese
Baked Crab Legs
Southern Cooked Cabbage
Air Fryer Crab Legs
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce

More Turkey Recipes

Smothered Turkey Wings
Baked Turkey Legs
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Slow Cooker Turkey Wings
Traeger Smoked Turkey Breast
Smoked Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Smoked Turkey Legs
Grilled Turkey Legs
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Breast
Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey
Leftover Turkey Chili
Leftover Turkey Nachos
Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Turkey Bone Broth Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Stuffed Turkey Legs
Turkey and Cheese Sliders

Check out our list of the Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.