The juiciest and moistest meat is covered in a perfectly seasoned, crispy skin on these baked turkey wings. Minimal prep is needed, and so delicious! .
I use it in many family dinners, including meatballs, burgers, and a simple roasted breast. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with turkey wings and have a new favorite. Table of Contents.
Turkey wings are a popular and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. But are turkey wings healthy? The answer, like most things in nutrition, is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
The Nutritional Profile of Turkey Wings
To understand whether turkey wings are healthy, let’s first look at their nutritional profile. According to the USDA, a 4-ounce serving of roasted turkey wing with skin contains:
- Calories: 130
- Fat: 1.7g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 64mg
- Sodium: 128mg
- Carbohydrates: 0.2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Protein: 26.7g
- Vitamin D: 6 IU
- Calcium: 12mg
- Iron: 1mg
- Potassium: 273mg
As you can see, turkey wings are a good source of protein, with a single serving providing nearly 30 grams. They are also relatively low in fat and calories, especially when compared to other poultry options like chicken thighs or duck. Additionally, turkey wings are a good source of several essential nutrients, including iron, potassium, and vitamin D.
The Health Benefits of Turkey Wings
The nutritional profile of turkey wings suggests several potential health benefits. For example, the high protein content can help build and maintain muscle mass, while the low-fat content can promote heart health. Additionally, the iron in turkey wings can help prevent anemia, and the potassium can help regulate blood pressure.
The Potential Drawbacks of Turkey Wings
While turkey wings can be a healthy part of a balanced diet, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. For example, the skin of turkey wings is high in fat and calories Additionally, turkey wings can be high in sodium, especially if they are processed or prepared with added salt.
How to Make Turkey Wings Healthy
If you’re looking to enjoy turkey wings in a healthy way there are a few things you can do:
- Remove the skin before cooking. This will significantly reduce the fat and calorie content of the wings.
- Bake or grill the wings instead of frying them. This will help to keep the fat content low.
- Season the wings with herbs and spices instead of salt. This will help to reduce the sodium content.
- Pair the wings with healthy sides. Choose vegetables, fruits, or whole grains to round out your meal.
So, are turkey wings healthy? The answer is yes, but with some caveats. Turkey wings can be a nutritious and delicious part of a balanced diet, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential drawbacks and make healthy choices when preparing and consuming them.
Additional Resources
- Turkey Wings Nutrition Facts: https://www.prospre.io/ingredients/turkey-wing-1008
- Baked Turkey Wings Recipe: https://thebigmansworld.com/turkey-wings-recipe/
- Are Turkey Wings Good for You? https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turkey-wings
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are turkey wings a good source of protein?
A: Yes, turkey wings are a good source of protein, with a single serving providing nearly 30 grams.
Q: Are turkey wings high in fat?
A: The fat content of turkey wings depends on whether the skin is removed. With the skin on, turkey wings are relatively high in fat. However, removing the skin significantly reduces the fat content.
Q: Are turkey wings high in sodium?
A: Turkey wings can be high in sodium, especially if they are processed or prepared with added salt. It’s important to choose fresh, unprocessed turkey wings and to limit the amount of salt added during cooking.
Q: How can I make turkey wings healthy?
A: There are several things you can do to make turkey wings healthy, such as removing the skin, baking or grilling instead of frying, seasoning with herbs and spices instead of salt, and pairing them with healthy sides.
Why this recipe works
- Perfectly seasoned yet simple. Similar to turkey drumsticks, this recipe uses minimal amounts of herbs and spices. Wings that are well-seasoned are made with a few basic herbs and spices.
- Hands-off cooking. I adore how baking the wings in the oven takes almost no hands-on time. It’s almost as easy as smoked turkey wings.
- Crispy and flavorful. Turkey that is cooked covered at first produces juicy, tender wings, while turkey that is cooked open at the end produces crispy skin.
- Easier than a whole turkey. Though I usually save whole roasted turkeys for special occasions, my family adores them. The wings, though, I can make every week. They are also way cheaper too.
My friends and extended family prefer these over the actual bird, so I’ve started making them as part of Thanksgiving dinner, and I adore this recipe because it’s ideal for the holidays!
Not much is needed to make these oven-roasted turkey wings other than the wings and a few seasonings. Here is what you’ll need:
- Whole turkey wings. Separated and bone-in. Generally, turkey wings are divided into three sections: the wingtips, wingettes, and drumettes. If your entire wing is intact, it’s very simple to separate them yourself, but my local butcher—and most butchers, it seems—can do it for you.
- Chicken stock. Homemade or store-bought. Turkey stock will work too.
- Olive oil. In order to coat and combine with the spices before baking the wings
- Spices. I only use onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in this recipe. Though it seems simple, the flavors are really strong.
- Herbs. Dried thyme, Rosemary, and parsley pair well with turkey. Although using fresh herbs while roasting or baking may be alluring, they have a tendency to burn and absorb into the meat. Because of this, I recommend only the dried kind.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
Recipe tips and variations
- Pat dry the wings. By doing this, the wings broil more quickly and crisp up more quickly.
- Don’t skip the chicken stock. The turkey is cooked to perfection and is infused with flavor and moisture when the stock is poured around the wings and baked covered. Don’t fret though- the exterior will be super crispy.
- Save the drippings. I adore preserving the pan drippings from the turkey to create a basic gravy. I just whisk in one tablespoon of cornstarch, a little more salt, and pepper, along with about half a cup of extra chicken broth.
- Use turkey legs. This recipe works perfectly well for turkey legs, too.
- Change up the seasonings. Sometimes, before baking, I like to season the chicken or coat the wings in a tasty sauce. Like chicken wings, they are so easy to adapt.
To store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze. Baked wings can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat. Whether these are frozen or straight out of the refrigerator, the best way to reheat them is to bake them covered with foil in the oven until the thickest part reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F. Once heated through, broil the wings for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Overcooking and undercooking turkey wings are the main reasons they turn out tough.
This particular baked turkey wings recipe is healthy. Turkey wings are high in protein and a range of other essential nutrients. With this said, turkey wings are considered dark meat. This means they are higher in calories and fat than turkey breast. So, consume them in moderation and paired with healthy side dishes.
Yes, you can bake turkey wings smothered in gravy. However, note that this cooking method won’t yield crispy results.
I prefer fresh turkey wings because, through recipe testing, I find they retain the most juice and flavor. Frozen wings, on the other hand, will function as long as you fully thaw them and pat them dry to remove any remaining water.