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–+ servings
smoked turkey wings on top of a black and white checked plate with lettuce

Smoked Turkey Wings

Rebecca Lindamood
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 14 hours 15 minutes
Make the juiciest, crispy-skinned smoked turkey wings for a stunning way to serve turkey year round. If you break out these unbelievably simple gigantic wings at your picnic or tailgate, you'll be a superhero!
Nutrition information is approximate and based on the brine being discarded after use.

Equipment

  • 1 pellet smoker or grill
  • 1 large container
  • 1 2 quart saucepan
  • 1 bag of smoking pellets Recommended varieties of wood: apple, maple, or hickory

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup kosher salt 110 grams or 3.88 ounces by weight. This recipe is developed using Diamond Kosher Salt. If using Morton's Kosher Salt or another brand, please measure by weight.
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar firmly packed
  • 3 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 3 tablespoons granulated onion
  • 3 tablespoons dried thyme
  • 3 tablespoons dried sage
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 3/4 teaspoon MSG optional, but excellent
  • 2 quarts water divided
  • 3 quarts ice cubes
  • 12 turkey wings You can definitely add more! This brine is good for up to 25 or 30 turkey wings (depending on size).

Instructions
 

To Wet Brine the Turkey Wings

  • Combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, granulated garlic, granulated onion, dried thyme, dried sage, smoked paprika, black pepper, cloves, allspice, and msg (if using) in a small bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the spice mix and add the rest with 1 quart of water into a 2 quart saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
  • Add the ice cubes to a large container. Pour the hot brine over the ice and swirl aggressively to distribute. If you're using your oven, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke at this point and swirl the container again to distribute it. The ice will be largely melted and the brine will be completely cold within a couple of minutes. When the brine is cold, you can submerge all of the turkey wings. Slide this container (covered) into the refrigerator and let it brine for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Drain the turkey wings, discarding the brine. Pat mostly dry with paper towels and sprinkle reserved spice mix evenly over the wings.

To Dry Brine the Turkey Wings

  • Line a half sheet pan with a wire rack. Combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, granulated garlic, granulated onion, dried thyme, dried sage, smoked paprika, black pepper, cloves, allspice, and msg (if using) in a small bowl. Rub generously all over the turkey wings. You may have dry rub leftover. That is fine. Arrange the turkey wings on the wire rack so that air can circulate between them. Place the pan -uncovered- in the refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours.
  • Before smoking, use a brush or clean cloth to rub all excess spice/salt mixture off of the wings. Do not rinse, though.

To Smoke the Turkey Wings

  • Preheat your smoker to 275ºF for at least 30 minutes and load pellets or wood chips according to manufacturer's instructions. When the smoker is ready, clean and oil the grates.
  • Arrange the turkey wings on the grates, close the smoker, and smoke for 2 hours or until the internal temperature of the wings is 165ºF.

Optional Crisping Step

  • If you'd like super crispy skin on your smoked turkey wings, brush the finished wings lightly with olive oil and put in a preheated 350ºF oven for 15 minutes.

To Store Leftover Turkey Wings

  • Store in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you need to keep them longer, wrap them individually and place in a labeled, zipper top bag in the freezer for up to 4 months.

To Reheat Refrigerated or Frozen Smoked Turkey

  • For best results, wrap loosely in foil and reheat in an air fryer or 350ºF oven for 15 minutes or until hot all the way through. I do not recommend a microwave for thawing or reheating smoked turkey: it becomes rubbery.

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 36gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 703mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 668IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 4mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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