Pressure Cooking Turkey Necks: Mastering the Art of Tender Meat

What could be better than a recipe for turkey neck? One that’s smothered in gravy! The preparation work only takes 15 to 20 minutes, after which the Instant Pot does the rest for you! Each warm and tender piece of turkey neck is perfectly coated in a rich and flavorful homemade brown gravy! Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your whole family, these smothered turkey necks are sure to satisfy.

Southern turkey necks are a complete vibe but I don’t want the whole world to know. I don’t want their prices to sky-rocket like oxtails, you know what I mean. But put a turkey neck in front of me and it’s murder she wrote.

My family didn’t make turkey necks regularly growing up. My husband Kenneth is the one who won my allegiance to turkey necks. He took me to this little hole-in-the-wall place in New Orleans called Old Gentilly Spice Kitchen. It’s old school for real. You place your order with a lady behind glass and she yells it to the kitchen. Felt like home as soon as I walked in.

And their turkey necks smothered in dark brown gravy are insanely life-changing. The turkey necks are so tender that all you have to do to get the meat to come out is lightly press the bone with your tongue. Ok, this is sounding a bit x-rated but the flavor is pretty orgasmic.

Without fail, I order them whenever I go back. And when I’m craving them here in Dallas I make this recipe.

To make this cozy and flavorful smothered turkey necks recipe, you’ll need the following key ingredients:

How Long Should You Pressure Cook Turkey Necks?

The optimal pressure cooking time for turkey necks depends on the desired level of tenderness and the specific recipe you’re following. Generally, 20-25 minutes of high-pressure cooking is sufficient to achieve tender, juicy meat However, it’s always a good practice to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption

Tips for Perfect Pressure-Cooked Turkey Necks:

  • Seasoning is key: Don’t be shy with the seasonings! Rub your turkey necks with a generous amount of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or any other spices you enjoy. This adds flavor and enhances the overall taste of the dish.
  • Use a trivet: Placing a trivet in the Instant Pot keeps the turkey necks elevated, preventing them from sticking to the bottom and ensuring even cooking.
  • Deglaze the pot: After cooking, use a bit of water or broth to deglaze the bottom of the pot, scraping up any browned bits. This adds richness and depth of flavor to the gravy or sauce you’ll be making.
  • Thicken the gravy: If you’re making gravy, add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the pot and whisk until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Serve with your favorite sides: Enjoy your pressure-cooked turkey necks with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or any other sides you prefer.

Additional Resources:

Turkey necks can be quickly and easily pressure-cooked to produce juicy, tender meat. You can make a tasty dinner that the whole family will enjoy by using the above advice and modifying the cooking time to suit your tastes. Always make sure the internal temperature of meat is safe to eat by using a meat thermometer.

What does turkey necks taste like?

If you’ve never tried turkey necks, you have seriously been missing out. Many people use turkey necks as the star of the show, not realizing how wonderful they are; they add flavor to stocks and greens.

Turkey necks are the King Crab of poultry because of their deeply satisfying flavors, which are similar to those of oxtails and ham hocks. This turkey cut, when cooked to perfection in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, is fork-tender and incredibly delicious.

How to cook turkey necks in the slow cooker:

  • Turn on high heat and cover with the lid. In the slow cooker, arrange the turkey necks in a single layer. Carefully and slowly add the vegetables and gravy to the slow cooker. Secure the lid tightly, and cook the neck bones for 3 ½ to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, or until they are tender to the fork.
  • After the specified amount of time has passed, carefully transfer the turkey necks to a platter. The gravy should be carefully transferred to a large pot and reduced for fifteen minutes. As an alternative, stir the cornstarch slurry into the gravy after whisking one tablespoon of pot liquid and cornstarch together until dissolved. Remove bay leaves, and taste the gravy. If needed, add additional seasonings.
  • Cover the turkey necks with gravy and top with green onions and parsley before serving.

how long to pressure cook turkey necks

Instant Pot Turkey Necks inspired by Rosie Mayes Recipe

FAQ

Why are my turkey necks tough?

This classification as dark meat adds to its succulent and rich flavor. Why are my turkey necks tough? To make braised turkey necks, you must ensure they’re covered and submerged in the liquid/gravy. Then, cook them low and slow for hours to break down tough connective tissues, which helps make them tender and juicy.

How long do cooked turkey necks last?

But for persons of any age, 8 days is too long to refrigerate raw or cooked poultry. The safe time limit for refrigerating raw poultry is 1-2 days; 3-4 days if it’s cooked. Your turkey may have begun to spoil. Even without spoilage indicators like an off-odor or sticky surface, harmful bacteria may be present.

Are turkey necks healthy?

Nutritional value of turkey necks Much like other poultry, turkey neck meat is also a good source of protein and micronutrients. Turkey delivers a range of several B vitamins, including B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin), which are crucial for energy metabolism and the health of the nervous system.

Are smoked turkey necks already cooked?

Are smoked turkey necks already cooked? Good question. If you buy already smoked turkey necks, then yes, they are cooked. For this recipe, you need raw turkey necks, and you’ll do the smoking to cook them.

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