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Smoked Turkey Necks

This smoked turkey necks recipe is served tender and delicious using any smoker or pellet grill. Pair this with rice, collard greens, cornbread, or any of your favorite side dishes.

smoked turkey necks, mashed potatoes, and broccoli in a black plate
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What Are Turkey Necks

The turkey neck is the part of the turkey that is made up of bones and meat, the small pieces at the bottom. It can be used to make soups, stews, broth, or roasted to enjoy as an amazing main dish for a meal.

When you grab them in the store, they usually come in packs of three or more. The necks don’t have any feathers. Oftentimes, when purchased the neck, is cut into pieces. My grocer provides a full neck.

Where to Find Them

I find them readily available in local grocery stores. You can also check specialty markets, even some Asian grocery stores.

a bowl of spices and raw turkey necks on parchment paper

What Type of Wood/Pellets to Use

I love to use apple. You can also use the Traeger Signature blend, cherry, pecan, oak, peach, or alder.

How to Make Smoked Turkey Necks

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Pat the turkey necks dry. Drizzle both sides of the necks with olive oil and then sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the necks.
  2. Add the seasoned turkey necks to the smoker. Smoke.
  3. If you like tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks, pressure cook or bake.
seasoned raw turkey necks on parchment paper
raw turkey necks on a smoker

Smoker Temperature

Smoke the necks at 225 degrees.

Cook Time/How Long to Smoke

It will take 2-3 hours to smoke the turkey necks until they are cooked through.

smoked turkey necks on a smoker
smoked turkey necks drizzled in butter

How to Tell When the Turkey is Done/Get Fall-Off-the-Bone-Turkey

You will need to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the neck. According to the USDA, Poultry must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Your total cook time will vary based on how you like your turkey. If you like tender turkey necks that fall off the bone, you will need to finish them off in the pressure cooker/Instant Pot or in the oven once they are smoked. I’ve smoked turkey necks up to 4 hours and they still weren’t quite as tender as I would like.

smoked turkey necks wrapped in foil on a smoker

Can You Use Turkey Legs or Turkey Wings?

Check out my Smoked Turkey Wings recipe here.

How to Store Them

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

smoked turkey necks in a pressure cooker

Freezer Tips

You can freeze leftover necks tightly covered and sealed. For best taste, they will last up to 3 months. Defrost the turkey necks overnight in the fridge and reheat.

Pair With These Side Dishes

Southern Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Southern Green Beans
Southern Collard Greens

Baked Corn on the Cob
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Slow Cooker Crockpot Neck Bones
Tender Juicy Oxtail recipe
Thanksgiving Chicken

More Turkey Recipes

Baked Turkey Wings
Smothered Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Turkey Wings

Smoked Turkey Wings
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Crockpot Slow Cooker Bone-in Turkey Breast
Traeger Smoked Cornish Hens
Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast

smoked turkey necks, mashed potatoes, and broccoli in a black plate

Smoked Turkey Necks

This smoked turkey necks recipe is served tender and delicious using any smoker or pellet grill. Pair this with rice, collard greens, cornbread, or any of your favorite side dishes.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword smoked turkey necks, Traeger smoked turkey necks
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 622kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat smoker to 225 degrees.
  • Pat the turkey necks dry. Drizzle both sides of the necks with olive oil and then sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the necks.
  • Add the seasoned turkey necks to the smoker. Smoke for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the turkey necks and place them onto foil. Drizzle with melted butter and apple cider vinegar. Wrap the turkey necks in the foil. Smoke for an additional hour.
    Ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Cook longer if necessary.
  • If you like tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks, add the broth to a pressure cooker then place the smoked turkey necks on top. Pressure cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.
    Alternatively, you can add the smoked turkey necks to a baking dish. Bake on 370 degrees until tender.

Notes

The recipe can easily be doubled and adjusted to suit what will fit in your smoker.
I love to use apple wood/pellets. You can also use the Traeger Signature blend, cherry, pecan, oak, peach, or alder.
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Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1pound | Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 92g | Fat: 26g
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Nutrition DataMacros 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.
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