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Most of us cherish the food we ate as children. When I was a little girl, I loved eating chicken necks, despite them not having much meat. As an adult, I learned that turkey necks have a similar flavor and more meat!
Some of you might think I am crazy for cooking with turkey necks, but I am certain that this recipe will change your mind. Growing up in Ukraine, I was taught that every part of the animal has its place on the dinner table. When prepared properly, turkey necks are a wonderful, fall-off-the-bone comfort food!
Seared and then roasted in the oven, these turkey necks are perfect to indulge in on a cold winter day. The neck is the best part of the bird, so underrated and underutilized in cooking! Prepare some mashed potatoes or white rice to accompany the necks, or eat them fresh out of the oven all on their own.
How to Make Turkey Necks
You may be feeling a bit intimidated to take on cooking turkey necks. Don’t fret! It’s super easy and very similar to roasting any other type of meat.
First, you will brown the turkey necks on a hot skillet. Then, you will place the browned necks in a cast iron skillet with some fresh carrots and onions and bake them for about one and a half hours. When you pull your turkey necks out of the oven, the meat will fall off the bone and become extremely tender.
Keeping Turkey Necks Tender
The key to keeping turkey necks tender is to add a cup of hot water to your cast iron skillet (or any oven-safe skillet) before you place it in the oven. Creating a slow boil in the oven will ensure that your turkey necks do not become rubbery and burn. The added liquid will also create a yummy gravy!
Other Ways to Cook Turkey Necks
Now that you are in love with turkey necks (right?!), get creative and try cooking them differently! Here are a couple of my favorite ways to prepare turkey necks:
- Smoked Turkey Necks: Often times, you can find pre-smoked turkey necks at the butcher. These have an awesome flavor and are the perfect compliment to stews or chilis.
- Turkey Necks in a Smoked Cooker: Have a smoker at home? Smoke your own turkey necks! Set your smoker to 180F and let the necks cook for 2-4 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone. Think of these smoked necks as an adventurous departure from traditional smoked chicken wings!
- Turkey Neck Soup: My boys love turkey neck soup. Much like chicken noodle soup, it is so comforting and the perfect dish to make when someone is feeling under the weather.
- Turkey Necks Gravy: Turkey neck meat is dark, flavorful, and perfect to build a gravy from. Make a batch and smother it over just about anything!
Note: You can find turkey necks in most, large grocery stores, although not every store carries them.
Other Turkey Recipes
- How To Make a Smoked Turkey
- Ground Turkey-Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Easiest Roasted Turkey Recipe
Recipe
Turkey Necks Recipe (The Classic Way)
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Servings
6 Servings
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
Most of us cherish the food we ate as children. When I was a little girl, I loved eating chicken necks, despite them not having much meat. As an adult, I learned that turkey necks have a similar flavor and more meat!
Ingredients
- 4 lb Turkey Necks
- 3 Carrots
- 1 Onion
- 4 Bay Leaves
- Salt to taste
- Light Olive Oil for frying
US Units – Metric
Instructions
Optionally, cut turkey necks into smaller pieces.
Dice the onion into half rings, then clean carrots and cut them into large pieces.
In a hot, oiled skillet, cook the turkey necks until browned on all sides. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Cook onion in the same skillet, until it's slightly browned.
Season meat and vegetables with salt, add one cup of hot water to the dish, cover it with a lid. Place it in an oven at 350F to bake for 1.5 hours or until the meat begins to separate from the bone.
Serve turkey necks with potatoes, rice or simply on their own, while they are still warm.
Nutrition Facts
Turkey Necks Recipe (The Classic Way)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 398 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 348mg116%
Sodium 726mg30%
Potassium 527mg15%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 50g100%
Vitamin A 5225IU105%
Vitamin C 3.1mg4%
Calcium 87mg9%
Iron 3.2mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted August 14, 2019
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VickeyDec 3, 2023 I like to try them today do I cook with a top on it
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 4, 2023 Hey Vickey, Yes, they should be covered with a lid when going into the oven. Enjoy!
HRNov 26, 2023 Delicious! I have made this several times, with one alteration.
Instead of water I I use 1.5 cups of chicken broth.
The liquid left in the pan to make a sauce/gravy for mashed potatoes.Natalya DrozhzhinNov 26, 2023 Hey HR, That's a great idea - I bet the gravy is delicious!
Fred H JenningsOct 5, 2023 Do you cook the turkey necks for 1 1/2 or 3 hours and make up your mind?
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 6, 2023 Hi Fred, It's 1.5 hours. We're working on updating the 3 hour typo. Thanks for letting us know!
ThomasOct 5, 2023 Hi Natalya, I'm puzzled as to why the cook time is given at the top of the recipe as 3 hrs and in the instructions as 1.5 hrs. I did the recipe for about 2 hrs and it was perfect.
Would it be alright to add turkey giblets and liver, which I love, or would you recommend doing them separately?
Many thanks, Thomas
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 9, 2023 Hi Thomas, I'm happy to hear it turned out delicious. We will work on making the corrections to the recipe. You can add the liver and giblets! Enjoy!
Jewell A. PradierAug 21, 2023 Tried this recipe this weekend for a friend's birthday dinner. His Mother and Grandmother used to make turkey necks for him growing up. He was both surprised and pleased. Thank you so much for providing this recipe
I did make a couple of small changes: substituted water with chicken broth, and substituted regular salt with All Season salt and added black pepper and paprika for another layer of seasoning.
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 21, 2023 Hi Jewell, That was so thoughtful of you to make it for his birthday! Thanks for sharing!
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 21, 2023 Hi Abijah, Potatoes would be delicious substitution. Enjoy 🙂
Porsha ComerAug 13, 2023 I’m poked this dish for my family tonight. Waiting to serve it to them so I don’t know the results. I’m a pescatarian so I couldn’t taste it but we will see if they like it and hopefully enjoy with yellow rice and broccoli cheese.
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 14, 2023 Hi Porsha, I hope your family enjoyed it!
MikeApr 30, 2023 When do the bay leaves come into play? The ingredient list mentions them but not in the instructions. I'm not a cook but I love turkey necks and even with my wife's large clan, I never have to worry about someone else getting to the neck first. They don't know what they're missing.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 1, 2023 Hi Mike, the bay leaves will go into the pan before you put it into the oven. Thank you for bringing that to my attention! I agree with you about them not knowing what they are missing. This stuff is amazing!!
Milli TothMar 23, 2023 Can you imagine my surprise when I saw turkey neck receipes. My italian background, much like your Ukranian did not waste anything. Turkey necks were used in so many ways to add flavour to broths, pasta dishes,, sauces, etc. This one you provided was very nice. I am lucky that we have a local grocer who sells turkey necks, like you would find chicken wings; in packs with 4-6 large necks in each and always available, no matter the season.
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 23, 2023 Hi Milli, I am so glad that you have found this recipe! Thank you for sharing, I hope you love this dish as much as we do! Enjoy!!
LarryNov 22, 2022 Ever since I stopped stuffing a Turkey and turned to making Dressing I use turkey necks to give my stuffing incredible flavor. Just make your dressing as usual then lay 3 to 4 Turkey necks on top and cover with foil. Bake like you would your normal dressing. When done strip the meat off of the necks and put it in your gravy.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 22, 2022 Hi Larry, Thank you for sharing, that sounds like it turns out absolutely delicious! Happy Holidays!
lonnieOct 23, 2022 Here in South Louisiana, our main way of cooking turkey necks, is to boil them in a heavily seasoned water. It's basically the same water we use to cook our seafood(crabs, crawfish, shrimp).
Our second method, is smothered down over rice. The third method would be stewed/fricasseed. This seems to be a cross between smothered & stewed.
I coated them lightly in seasoned flour before searing, it helps later when using the dripping for a gravy. I also added lots of minced garlic, some Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken stock. We like our seasoning here.Natalya DrozhzhinOct 24, 2022 Lonnie, this sound so so good. I love the idea of a stew. Thank you for sharing your recipe, looking forward to trying it.
AnyaNov 28, 2021 My husband is Russian, I am Ukrainian ancestry but don’t have much experience in Ukrainian cooking. The husband requested turkey necks like his mama makes. BOY did this smash it out of the park!! This was mouthwatering. I have to say the biggest surprise of the dish for me was how incredibly delicious the vegetables were after roasting with the necks. Holy cow! Spasiba bolshoy/dyakuyu! This is a new regular for us.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 28, 2021 Anya, this made me smile, I am so glad you loved the results and that you found a staple recipe! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Janet BeaudetSep 8, 2021 I am allergic to Beef, lamb, chicken and pork so I eat turkey necks everyday. I cook mIne in duck fat for 4 hours at 210 degrees on top of my induction burner in covered in my Eurocast Berghoff wok. I buy the big tub of duck fat which does not go bad and use it for a couple months then discard and start over. The meat comes right off the bone. I buy the big necks with no more than 4 in a package and two when I can find them. I eat one package a day. I use no seasoning. They are great for health and weight loss.
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 9, 2021 That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing the tips, Janet.
Tonya TaylorJul 16, 2021 Turkey necks one of my favorite comfort food over a bed of white rice in gravy... then add some franks hot sauce
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 17, 2021 Tonya, I love the idea of adding some spice. SO good!
See Also30 Minute Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
TressaMay 11, 2021 I'm happy to find someone who enjoys turkey necks as much as I do. This is how I cook my turkey necks and sometimes I BBQ them with a spicy sauce or curry them.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 11, 2021 Ohh, the idea of adding them to curry sounds delicious. What do you make your curry with?
Debra AmosMar 12, 2021 You dont mention in the recipe if you must cover the dish in the oven or not..jam planning on using this recipe to make dinner tonight
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 12, 2021 Hey Debra, it is better to cover it with a lid. Enjoy
AriaFeb 18, 2021 After searing can I just finish cooking in a large pan in oven?
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 18, 2021 Hey Aria, yes, just make sure it has a lid. Enjoy
VickyJan 22, 2021 I just found your website I spent the last hour going through and looking at all your recipes making notes of the ones I want to try! I have a very long list LOL! And I thought I was the only one who like turkey necks! For Christmas I I cook the turkey neck and then I woke up the next morning and found that I forgot to put it in the refrigerator! I wanted to cry! I have never cooked just a batch of turkey necks so guess what’s at the top of my list!
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 22, 2021 Hey Vicky, I am so glad you found the site. 🙂 Turkey necks are a total treat, we love them so much. Sorry about your bad luck with them.
CotyDec 22, 2020 Heh Natalya-
Do you consider the turkey tail a delicasy, as I do? That "knob" area of the bird is that lower flesy backside that's pointed & holds tail feathers. It is a secret food part too. They say, people who eat the knobs are no slobs. 🤣 I love them.
From,
CotyNatalya DrozhzhinDec 22, 2020 Coty, I don't care for it but in my family, we have two members that fight over it. They always try to get it first 🙂
DebbieNov 22, 2020 Is there enough stock left after baking to make gravy?
MarkNov 24, 2020 I grew up eating nose-to-tail food recipes, and this is no exception, brilliant, thanks for sharing, Mark.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 24, 2020 Mark, I was telling my son how we use to grow chickens in Ukraine and everyone would fight over the neck. He will never understand 🙂 glad he still loves turkey necks!
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 22, 2020 Usually, I have a good amount and you can add a bit of water to it because the flavor is very rich. Enjoy
DebbieNov 8, 2020 Do you cook it for 1.5 hour or at the top of recipes it says 3 h cook time?
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 9, 2020 Hey Debbie, at least 1.5 hours. It would depend on how large the pieces are.
RodgerNov 3, 2020 Great recipe-I too as a child enjoyed chicken necks and backs also.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 3, 2020 I'm glad I'm not the only one 🙂
Patricia HillJul 1, 2020 I am trying them today
Deirdre Dennie PledgeJun 3, 2020 Love this recipe.
Do I cover the necks in the oven?
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 5, 2020 Yes, do cover them in the oven. I will make a note in the recipe. Enjoy!
ZahkiazJun 1, 2020 Whats the amount per serving
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 1, 2020 It's about 3/4 lb of turkey necks. There are 6 serving in the entire recipe.
Monica WhatleyMay 9, 2020 I'm going to try this recipe.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 10, 2020 I hope you love it as much as we do!
neilMay 7, 2020 great recipe!!! thank you! have made 4-5 times and always yummy..I use chicken broth and add celery and it's a yummy and healthy meal!
BrennieJul 25, 2020 SO GOOD AND TASTY WITH CELERY AND LOTS OF ONIONS
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 26, 2020 Yes, so good. Glad you enjoyed it.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 7, 2020 Hey Neil, I am so happy to hear this. Thank you for sharing.
neilMay 7, 2020 also usually add fresh rosemary/ thyme and lot of garlic to the broth.. broth always very yummy
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 7, 2020 Oh I love the tips with extra herbs. I bet it adds so much more flavor. I have to try it your way!
LynnApr 22, 2020 We haven't been able to find turkey necks til recently so have always had a bit of fun fighting over who gets the neck from the roast turkey. So tender and delicious. Your recipe is quick and makes a wonderful meal. I used jerk seasoning and served it with rice and beans.
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 22, 2020 Hey Lynn, lol, the fight over part it funny. It reminded me of living in Ukraine and we pretty much-lived farm to table so there was only one turkey neck. It was fun figuring out who gets it. 🙂 So happy you loved the recipe and rice and beans sound delicious with this.
Jani BApr 12, 2020 They were so yummy!!! I will definitely cook this again. Thanks for sharing!
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 12, 2020 Hey Jani, thank you so much for letting me know. I am so happy you loved this recipe! 🙂
MarcellMar 14, 2020 Do you brown the necks and veggies in a separate skillet then bake in a cast iron... I’m a little confused by the photos
Mika ChantalMar 14, 2020 First, brown / cook the Turkey necks, and remove them (set aside). Second, cook the veggies in the same skillet which you just removed the necks. Once the veggies are brown, add the Turkey necks back to the skillet (with the veggies). Then add additional seasoning (I always season my turkey necks before I brown them), and water (I prefer chicken broth), and place the combined dish in the oven to bake at 350F for about 1.5 hours... I hope this helped
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 15, 2020 This sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
