Braised Turkey Neck Recipe (2024)

Published: Sep 24, 2022 by Cree · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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
Equipment
How to Make Braised Turkey Necks
Top Tips
FAQ
Other Ways to Serve Turkey Necks
More Fall Turkey Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
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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

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out 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

How long to cook turkey necks?

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.

How do you clean turkey necks?

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

How to store and reheat?

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.

What are turkey necks used for?

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.

More Fall Turkey Recipes

Turkey Soup Recipe
Dutch Oven Cajun Turkey Breast
Cajun Oven Roasted Turkey Thighs
Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe

Did you make this recipe?

If so, let me know how it went. Leave a 'Star Rating' within the recipe card down below and/or TAG @cookingwithbliss on Instagram. I can't wait to see how it turned out.

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