Smoked turkey necks are a culinary gem, offering a rich smoky flavor that elevates any dish. Their affordability and versatility make them a popular choice for home cooks seeking a delicious and budget-friendly meal. This guide will walk you through the simple process of cooking smoked turkey necks in a crock pot resulting in a tender and flavorful dish that will tantalize your taste buds.
Why Choose Smoked Turkey Necks?
Many people find smoked turkey necks to be an excellent option due to their special set of advantages.
- Rich Flavor: The smoking process infuses the turkey necks with a distinctive smoky aroma and a deep, savory flavor that adds a unique twist to your dishes.
- Budget-Friendly: Turkey necks are an affordable option, making them a great choice for those looking to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
- Versatile: Smoked turkey necks can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to flavorful rice and pasta recipes. Their versatility makes them a pantry staple for many home cooks.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before embarking on this culinary journey, gather the following ingredients:
- 2 pounds of smoked turkey necks
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 4 cups of chicken broth
The Crock-Pot Cooking Process:
With your ingredients assembled, let’s delve into the steps of cooking smoked turkey necks in a crock pot:
- Prepare your crock pot: Set it to the low heat setting.
- Add the turkey necks: Place the smoked turkey necks in the crock pot.
- Add the vegetables and spices: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, sliced carrots, bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and black pepper to the crock pot.
- Pour in the broth: Add the chicken broth to the crock pot, ensuring that the ingredients are fully submerged.
- Slow cook to perfection: Cover the crock pot with its lid and let it cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender.
- Remove the bay leaf: After the cooking time is up, remove the lid and carefully discard the bay leaf.
- Serve and savor: Using tongs, carefully remove the smoked turkey necks from the crock pot and transfer them to a serving dish. Serve the smoked turkey necks alongside the flavorful vegetables and broth.
Enjoying Smoked Turkey Necks:
Smoked turkey necks offer a world of culinary possibilities. Here are a few suggestions to inspire your creativity:
- Add them to collard greens: Enhance a pot of collard greens or other leafy greens with the rich flavor of smoked turkey necks for a hearty and flavorful side dish.
- Shred and incorporate into casseroles: Shred the meat and incorporate it into casseroles or pasta dishes for an added smoky flavor.
- Use the broth as a soup base: The flavorful broth from cooking the turkey necks can be used as a base for soups and stews, adding an extra layer of depth.
- Pair with your favorite sides: Serve the smoked turkey necks alongside your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes or cornbread, for a satisfying meal.
With their rich flavor and versatility, smoked turkey necks are a must-try ingredient in your culinary repertoire. Give this simple crock pot recipe a try, and you’ll discover a new level of deliciousness. Happy cooking!
Ways to Enjoy Smoked Turkey Necks
Smoked turkey necks can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are a few suggestions:
- Toss them into a pot of collard greens or any other leafy greens for a hearty and fragrant side dish.
- Shred the meat and add it to casseroles or pasta dishes for an additional smoky flavor.
- Use the broth from cooking the turkey necks as the base for soups and stews to add even more flavor.
- Serve them with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes or cornbread, for a satisfying dinner.
With their rich flavor and versatility, smoked turkey necks are a must-try ingredient in your culinary repertoire. Give this simple crock pot recipe a try, and you’ll discover a new level of deliciousness. Happy cooking! Please share your hints and methods for preparing mouthwatering crock pot smoked turkey necks.
Why Choose Smoked Turkey Necks?
Smoked turkey necks are a popular choice among food enthusiasts for several reasons:
- Rich Flavor: The turkey necks’ smoky aroma and rich, savory flavor are enhanced by the smoking process, which also adds a unique touch to your meals.
- Cost-effective: Due to their affordable price, turkey necks are a great substitute for those who want to enjoy a delicious meal without going over their allotted amount.
- Versatile: Smoked turkey necks work well in a variety of recipes, including rich rice and pasta meals, soups, and stews. Their versatility makes them a pantry staple for a lot of home cooks.
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather the ingredients:
- 2 pounds of smoked turkey necks
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 4 cups of chicken broth
Now that everything is set up, let’s start making the smoked turkey necks in a slow cooker:
- Start by preparing your crock pot. Set it to the low heat setting.
- After adding the smoked turkey necks to the crock pot, add the diced onion, chopped celery, minced garlic, and sliced carrots.
- Sprinkle the dried thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and bay leaf over the contents of the crock pot.
- Pour as much chicken broth into the crock pot as possible, being sure to submerge everything.
- Close the crock pot and cook on low for six to eight hours. The slow cooking technique allows the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
- After the cooking period is over, remove the lid and carefully discard the bay leaf.
- Using tongs, carefully remove the smoked turkey necks from the crock pot and place them on a serving dish.
- Serve the smoked turkey necks with the flavorful broth and vegetables.
And suddenly you’re presented with a plate of flavorful, soft, and ready-to-eat smoked turkey necks.
Crockpot Smoked Turkey & Lima Beans
FAQ
Are smoked turkey necks fully cooked?
How do you cook an already smoked turkey?
Do you wash smoked turkey necks?
Are smoked turkey necks good to eat?
How to cook a turkey neck in a crock pot?
Chop an onion and add to the pot. Add minced garlic, salt and other spices. Mix it up a little and add water. So the amount of water depends on the size of your crock pot. You don’t need to cover turkey entirely but halfway will be good. Close the lid and turn the slow cooker on. Turkey neck could be done in as fast as 4 hours on HIGH setting.
How do you cook a Turkey in a crock pot?
Slowly pour in the chicken or turkey broth, ensuring that it covers the turkey necks and other ingredients. The broth will help in tenderizing the meat and providing moisture during the long cooking process. Securely place the lid on the crock pot. Set it to cook on the low setting.
How do you thicken a turkey neck in a crock pot?
Mix 3 teaspoon cornstarch with 3 teaspoon cold water and than pour it into the hot broth. Stir until thicken (make sure to remove necks before). For additional color and taste brown turkey necks in the skillet before placing them in to the crock pot. Hot sauce.
How long do you cook a turkey neck in a slow cooker?
Turn on high heat and cover with the lid. Add turkey necks to the slow cooker and arrange necks in an even layer. Carefully and slowly pour the gravy and veggies into the slow cooker. Cover tightly with lid and cook for 3 ½ – 4 hours for fork-tender neck-bones, remembering to stir halfway through.