Crockpot Turkey Wings
Crockpot turkey wings are a Southern-style comfort food dinner made with seasoned turkey wings, green bell pepper, onion, fresh thyme, and chicken broth. The wings slow cook until fork-tender, then the flavorful cooking liquid is finished with a cornstarch slurry to make gravy for spooning over rice or mashed potatoes.
This is the kind of Sunday dinner I grew up with. I place the turkey wings on top of the onions and peppers instead of submerging them in the broth. That keeps more of the seasoning on the wings while the turkey and vegetables release their juices underneath, creating plenty of flavorful liquid for the gravy.
Ingredient Tips
How To Make Crockpot Turkey Wings
- Season the turkey wings. Mix together the seasoning blend, then pat the turkey wings dry and coat them generously on all sides.
- Build the vegetable bed. Add the sliced green bell pepper and yellow onion to the bottom of the crockpot. Pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth, add the fresh thyme, and sprinkle any remaining seasoning over the vegetables.
- Place the turkey wings on top. Arrange the wings over the onions and peppers rather than submerging them in the broth. This helps keep more of the seasoning on the exposed surface while the vegetables support the wings above the liquid.
- Cook on HIGH for about 4 hours. Begin checking the wings around the 4-hour mark. They should be fork-tender, and the meat should pull easily away from the bone while the wings still hold together. Cooking closer to 5 hours is fine if needed, but the wings will eventually begin falling apart if left too long.
- Remove the turkey wings and make the gravy. Transfer the cooked wings from the crockpot. Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water until smooth, then stir the slurry into the hot broth, vegetables, and turkey drippings until the gravy thickens.
- Serve with the gravy. Spoon the peppers, onions, and gravy over the turkey wings and serve with rice or mashed potatoes.
How Long To Cook Turkey Wings in a Crockpot
Cook turkey wings on HIGH for about 4 hours. That’s normally when mine become fork-tender, with meat that pulls easily away from the bone while the wings still hold together. They can cook closer to 5 hours without being ruined, but the longer they go, the more likely the meat is to start falling apart, which is a little past the texture I prefer.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Turkey Wings
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know when turkey wings are done?
The turkey should reach 165°F, but texture is important too. I look for meat that is fork-tender and pulls easily away from the bone while the wing still holds together. Once the meat starts completely falling apart, it’s a little more cooked than I personally prefer.
Do turkey wings need to be covered with liquid in the crockpot?
No. In this recipe, I deliberately place the turkey wings on top of the onions and green peppers so most of the seasoned surface stays above the broth. As the turkey and vegetables cook, they release plenty of additional liquid into the crockpot.
Should I sear turkey wings before putting them in the crockpot?
I don’t recommend it for this recipe. I’ve found that the high heat from searing can make the meat slightly tighter even after it has slow-cooked until tender. Keeping the wings above most of the broth gives the exposed surface some browning without needing to sear them first.
What To Serve With Crockpot Turkey Wings
These turkey wings are a Sunday dinner type of meal for me, and the gravy really determines the best sides. I usually want something that can soak it up, especially white rice or mashed potatoes.
For a fuller Southern-style plate, serve them with sides like mac and cheese, candied yams, cornbread, or green vegetables.
More Turkey Wing Recipes
- Baked Turkey Wings – Tender oven-baked turkey wings for when you want the same hearty dinner without using the slow cooker.
- Smothered Turkey Wings – Turkey wings cooked with a rich gravy for a classic Southern-style dinner.
- Air Fryer Turkey Wings – A quicker turkey wing recipe with a more browned, crisp exterior.
Crockpot Turkey Wings
Ingredients
- 3 pound turkey wing
- 1 medium green bell pepper sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced
- 2 cup chicken broth
- 5 sprig thyme
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar light or dark
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
For the Gravy
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cold water
Instructions
- Mix together the seasoning blend. Pat the turkey wings dry, then season them generously on all sides.
- Add the sliced green bell pepper and onion to the bottom of the crockpot. Pour in the chicken broth, add the thyme, and sprinkle any remaining seasoning over the vegetables.
- Arrange the turkey wings on top of the vegetables so most of the seasoned surface stays above the broth.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for about 4 hours. Begin checking at that point. The meat should be fork-tender and pull easily away from the bone while the wings still hold together.
- Remove the cooked turkey wings from the crockpot.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the hot liquid and vegetables in the crockpot until the gravy thickens.
- Serve the turkey wings with the peppers, onions, and gravy spooned over the top.
This is my 2nd time making this recipe. 1st time I made half the recipe. It was so delicious I had to make it again but made the full amount. My husband loves the way the turkey wings taste using this recipe. I’ll be making this often. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
This Crockpot Turkey Wings recipe is a true gem! The combination of spices, including smoked paprika and a hint of cayenne, creates a flavorful rub that infuses the turkey wings with depth and warmth. Placing the wings atop the seasoned onions and bell peppers not only prevents the seasoning from washing off but also allows the vegetables to contribute their own flavors, resulting in a rich, savory gravy.
savory
Delicious thanks for sharing.