How to Smothered Turkey Wings: A Delicious Southern Recipe

Get ready for a taste of the South with this mouthwatering recipe for smothered turkey wings. This dish is comfort food at its finest, featuring tender and juicy turkey wings smothered in a thick, savory gravy And the best part? The gravy is made from scratch using pan drippings, adding an extra layer of flavor

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is easy to follow and will leave you with a delicious meal that’s sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

For the Turkey Wings:

• 6-8 cut turkey wings
• 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning (Chef Paul’s Poultry Magic recommended)
• 1-2 tablespoons Creole or Cajun seasoning (Zatarain’s recommended)
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 tablespoon Accent (optional)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, sliced thinly

For the Gravy:

• Pan drippings from wings
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups chicken stock or broth
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparing the Turkey Wings:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Rinse the turkey wings and pat them dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, combine all the spices (poultry seasoning, Creole or Cajun seasoning, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, celery salt, and Accent, if using).
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the turkey wings and toss them to coat evenly.
5. Spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Arrange the seasoned turkey wings in the pan.
7. Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, and butter to the pan.
8. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
9. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
10. Remove the pan from the oven and drain the pan drippings into a bowl or measuring cup. Set the drippings aside.
11. Place the wings back into the oven, uncovered, while you prepare the gravy.

Making the Gravy:

1. Use a fat separator cup or skim 1/2 cup of the fat off the top of the pan drippings. Reserve the rest of the drippings.
2. Pour the fat into a pot and heat it over medium-high heat.
3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
4. Gradually pour in the chicken stock while whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
5. Then, pour in the remaining pan drippings.
6. Add the onion powder and garlic powder.
7. Continue stirring until the gravy thickens, about 3 minutes. (Note: The gravy will thicken further in the oven.)
8. Remove the gravy from the heat.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
10. Pour the gravy over the turkey wings in the roasting pan.
11. Cover the pan with foil again.
12. Bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the wings are fork-tender and cooked through. The exact timing may vary depending on the size of your wings.
13. Serve the smothered turkey wings over warm rice. Enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture.
• If you don’t have Creole or Cajun seasoning, you can substitute it with a combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme.
• To make the dish even more decadent, add a few slices of bacon to the roasting pan along with the onions, bell peppers, and butter.
• For a vegetarian option, substitute the turkey wings with portobello mushroom caps.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This smothered turkey wings recipe is a surefire way to impress your family and friends. The tender, juicy wings smothered in a flavorful gravy are a true comfort food classic. So, give this recipe a try and experience the deliciousness of Southern cuisine!