These Crockpot turkey wings are smothered in the best ever homemade gravy. The wings are fall-off-the-bone tender and the flavor is amazing. It’s perfect for an easy Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, or for just a weekday comfort food family dinner.
Crockpot Turkey Wings
Whether you’re making Crockpot turkey wings for Sunday dinner or your Thanksgiving meal, these delicious, tender, and savory wings will not disappoint.
Preparing a whole turkey can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, especially during the busy holiday season. Plus, there are times when you’re just craving turkey, but don’t want to go through the whole process. Or perhaps you’re cooking for a small group and don’t need a whole bird. That’s where this turkey wings in Crock Pot recipe comes in!
These turkey wings, slow-cooked to perfection in the Crockpot, are so tender and juicy that the meat practically falls off the bone. They’re infused with traditional holiday flavors like sage and thyme that just make the dish feel comforting and special, and then they’re smothered in the most delicious homemade gravy.
And let’s not forget about the gravy – this slow cooker turkey wings recipe creates plenty of it to drizzle over your turkey and all your favorite sides. It has a lovely, pourable consistency and is full of tender onions that just melt in your mouth.
The best part? With just 15 minutes of prep time, your Crockpot does all the hard work for you. So you can sit back, relax, and wait for the delicious aromas to fill your kitchen. Trust me, this is a delicious, home-cooked meal you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. It’s an easy, flavorful, and hearty meal that is perfect for those cold winter nights or when you’re craving comfort food.
Ingredients
Turkey Wings: Turkey wings have the perfect balance of meat, skin, and bone to make the dish rich and flavorful. Shop for ones that are firm to the touch and have a fresh smell.
Flour: All-purpose flour is a key ingredient for our gravy. It helps to thicken the sauce and creates a smooth texture.
Seasoning Salt, Garlic Powder, Dried Thyme, Ground Sage, Black Pepper: These seasonings combine to give our turkey wings a delicious savory flavor. This blend is perfect for turkey.
Vegetable Oil: This is used to brown the turkey wings before slow cooking. A neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil is best because they don’t add any additional flavor and can handle high cooking temperatures.
Yellow Onion: The onion not only adds flavor to the dish but also creates a bed for the turkey wings in the crockpot, which helps with even cooking. A second onion is used in the gravy. It adds a lovely sweetness that perfectly balances the savory elements of the dish. Shop for onions that are firm to the touch, with no signs of sprouting.
Butter: Butter forms the base of our roux for the gravy, adding a rich and creamy flavor. I like using unsalted butter so I can control the salt content of my dish.
Chicken or Turkey Broth: The broth brings moisture and flavor to the wings as they slow cook. You can use either homemade or store-bought broth.
How To Make Turkey Wings In Crock Pot
Prepare the Turkey Wings: Begin by drying your turkey wings. Then, in a large bowl, mix together your flour and seasonings. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Dredge the Wings: Dredge the wings in this mixture and set them aside.
Prepare the Crockpot: Spread your sliced onions at the bottom of your Crockpot.
Heat the Skillet: Warm up your vegetable oil in a skillet.
Sear the Wings: Once the oil is hot, brown your turkey wings on both sides. Transfer them to your Crockpot, placing them on top of the onions.
Prepare the Gravy: Using the same skillet, melt your butter and sauté the diced onion until it’s translucent.
Make the Roux: Sprinkle in the remaining flour, creating a roux.
Add the Broth: Once your roux is golden brown, gradually whisk in your broth until you have a smooth gravy.
Cook the Wings: Pour the gravy over your turkey wings in the Crockpot, and let them slow cook until they’re tender and flavorful.
Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey wings from the Crockpot, spoon some gravy over the wings, and serve them with your desired sides. Enjoy your home-cooked, heartwarming meal! See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, and helpful tips, etc.
Pro Tips
- Don’t skip the browning step: Searing the turkey wings before slow cooking might seem like an extra step, but it’s well worth it. It locks in the flavors and gives the wings a beautiful golden color.
- Pat the wings dry: Before coating the wings in the flour mixture, make sure you pat them dry. This will help the flour stick better and will also result in a better sear when you brown them.
Does Meat In A Slow Cooker Have To Be Covered With Liquid?
No, it doesn’t. The slow cooker traps steam which helps to cook the meat, so there’s no need to drown it in liquid.
Do You Put Seasoning On Wings Before Or After Cooking?
It’s best to season your wings before cooking. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and gives you a super flavorful dish.
Why Are My Turkey Wings Tough?
If your turkey wings turn out tough, it’s likely because they weren’t cooked long enough. Turkey wings need a lot of time to become tender, so don’t rush the process.
What Methods Are Best For Cooking Wings?
Slow cooking is a fantastic method for cooking wings. It allows the meat to become tender and flavorful without much effort on your part. Baking turkey wings and grilling are also good options, especially if you want a crispy skin.
How Can You Tell If Turkey Wings Are Undercooked?
The best way to tell if your turkey wings are undercooked is to use an instant read meat thermometer. The internal temperature at the thickest point without touching the bone should be at least 165F.
What Can I Serve with Turkey Wings?
Turkey wings are super versatile and pair well with so many side dishes. Some of my favorites include roasted baby potatoes, slow cooker green beans, and Jiffy cornbread with creamed corn. For a truly holiday vibe, don’t forget the doctored up canned cranberry sauce, the cranberry relish, or the cranberry Jell-O salad!
Can I Freeze Leftover Turkey Wings?
Yes, you can! Be sure to cool the turkey wings completely before putting them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them gently on the stove or in the oven.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Turkey Recipes
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other poultry recipes. Some reader favorites are:
- Smothered Turkey Wings Recipe
- Boneless Turkey Breast
- Baked Turkey Wings Recipe
- Air Fryer Turkey Wings Recipe
- Turkey Tenderloin
- Turkey Gravy without Drippings
BEST Crockpot Turkey Wings Recipe (Smothered in Gravy)
Crockpot turkey wings smothered in the best ever homemade gravy are fall-off-the-bone tender with amazing flavor - perfect for Thanksgiving!
Ingredients
Turkey Wings:
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon seasoning salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds turkey wings (flats and drums)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (sliced into 1/4” thick inch rounds, about 1 cup)
Gravy:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 medium onion (diced small, about 1 cup)
- 3 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth
Instructions
- Rinse the turkey wings under cold water, then pat them dry using a paper towel. (If you don’t like rinsing your poultry, you can skip that step, but be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the bowl.)
- To a large mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, seasoning salt, garlic powder, thyme, sage, and pepper. Whisk together until fully incorporated. Add the turkey wings to the bowl and dredge in the seasoned flour mixture. Once coated, transfer the wings to a clean plate. Set the flour aside and don't throw it away (we're using it to make the gravy).
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, break apart the onion rounds and place them along the bottom of a 6 quart Crockpot.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add the turkey wings to the pan and cook until they have browned (about 3 minutes). Use tongs to flip and sear the other side until browned (another 3 minutes). Once the wings are browned, use tongs to transfer them from the pan into the Crockpot, laying them on top of the bed of onion rounds. Turn the skillet heat down to medium.
- Add the butter to the skillet. Once it has almost melted, add in the diced onion and saute until translucent (about 4-5 minutes). Next, sprinkle the remaining dredging flour in and mix together to create a roux. Cook the roux until it’s a golden brown color (about 3-4 minutes), stirring often. Cooking the roux until it’s golden brown will cook off the raw flour taste and give the gravy a beautiful color.
- Slowly pour the broth into the roux while whisking constantly. Continue whisking until it’s smooth and no lumps remain. Turn the heat back up to medium-high and bring it to a gentle boil. Once bubbling, turn the heat back down to medium and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Pour the gravy over the turkey wings. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours (turkey wings need to read at least 165F when checked with your instant read meat thermometer).
- Carefully remove your fall of the bone turkey wings from the Crockpot, spoon the gravy over the wings, and serve them with your desired sides (I love serving them with mashed potatoes and green beans). Enjoy!
Notes
If you want your gravy to be thicker, add 1/2-1 Tablespoon of cornstarch to 2 Tablespoons of cold water and mix together until there are no lumps to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the gravy and let it come to a simmer. Simmer for at least one minute to allow the thickening properties to activate. The gravy will also thicken up slightly as it cools.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 972Total Fat: 60.9gCarbohydrates: 32.7gFiber: 4.6gSugar: 7.2gProtein: 71.9g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Turkey wings in Crock Pot is a hearty, delicious turkey wings recipe that’s easy to prepare and sure to be a family favorite.
