Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for baking turkey wings in the oven what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Whole Turkey Wings – Look for fresh, medium-sized, whole turkey wings that add up to around 5 pounds in total. If your store doesn’t have them, you can usually find them at your local butcher in the fall and winter. If you have separated wingettes or drumettes, those will work, too. You can also make this recipe with baked whole chicken wings, but the cooking time will be faster. Olive Oil – Adds flavor, locks in moisture, promotes browning, and helps the seasonings stick. Avocado oil or any neutral cooking oil will also work. Seasonings – This baked turkey wings recipe is extra flavorful with homemade poultry seasoning and Cajun seasoning (they take 5 minutes each!), but store bought also works. You will also need sea salt. Onions – When cut into large pieces, they act as a “rack” (for the wings to rest on), that adds flavor at the same time. I used yellow onions, but you could use white onions or red onions instead, or omit them and just use a roasting pan with a rack. Chicken Broth – Broth at the bottom of the pan helps keep the wings moist as they roast. You can make your own chicken broth, but I used store-bought low sodium. You can use regular, chicken stock, or make bone broth, too.
How To Cook Turkey Wings
This section shows how to bake turkey wings, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. If you don’t want the bold flavors of Cajun and poultry seasoning, you can simply season your turkey wings with individual spices. A good combination is dried rosemary and thyme (or Italian seasoning), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
How Long To Bake Turkey Wings?
Bake turkey wings for 90 minutes, covered with aluminum foil. Then, remove the foil and continue baking, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the wing reaches 165 degrees F. Doing so will wash off the spice mixture. Instead, add the broth from one corner of the baking dish, so that it goes straight to the bottom.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for 3-4 days. Reheat: Warm these turkey wings in the oven at 350 degrees F for best results. The microwave will work in a pinch, but the skin will lose its crispness. Freeze: Let the wings cool to room temperature, then place onto a baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour, until solid. Transfer to a zip lock bag and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Turkey Wings
Whether you make these juicy turkey wings for a holiday or just because you crave turkey, here are some delicious sides to add to them:
Sauces – Top with gravy (you can make some from the pan drippings) and cranberry sauce if you like! But, this dish has a lot of seasoning, so it’s plenty flavorful on its own, too! Holiday Sides – Elevate your holiday feast by pairing these baked turkey wings with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, crispy roasted brussels sprouts, or oven roasted sweet potatoes. Other Sides – Try a simple side of rice (or cauliflower rice) or buttery green beans almondine. Seasonal Salads – For a festive table, pair them with a sweet kale salad, a fall-themed Thanksgiving salad or a sweet and tangy pomegranate salad. Dessert – For a healthier twist, make crustless pumpkin pie, healthier peanut butter oatmeal cookies, or almond butter cookies.
Ideas For Leftovers
There are so many ways to enjoy leftover turkey wings besides just reheating them. Here are my favorite ways to use up leftovers:
Soup – Easy leftover turkey soup works with the meat from turkey wing recipes, too. Casserole – Pull the meat off the bones and throw it into a leftover turkey casserole with veggies, cranberry sauce, cheese and nuts. Or simply replace the protein with turkey in a breakfast casserole. Salads – Shred the meat up and throw it into a Caesar salad or make a turkey salad to serve with crackers or veggies.
More Turkey Recipes
Looking for more ways to cook up a juicy turkey? Here are some more easy turkey recipes the whole family will enjoy: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include the onions, which are typically discarded.
