Golden Fried Turkey Wings: A Crispy, Flavorful Feast

Fried turkey wings offer a delightful twist on traditional poultry dishes. They are a flavorful, crispy, and satisfying alternative to chicken wings, making them perfect for game day, potlucks, or a simple family dinner. This recipe provides detailed steps and instructions to help you create perfectly fried turkey wings with a golden-brown crust and juicy, tender meat.

## Why Turkey Wings?

Turkey wings often get overlooked, but they are packed with flavor and offer a unique texture. The higher fat content compared to turkey breast ensures a moist and tender result when fried. Plus, they are generally more affordable than other cuts of turkey, making them a budget-friendly option.

## Ingredients:

* **Turkey Wings:** 4-6 whole turkey wings (about 2-3 pounds)
* **Brine (Optional, but Recommended):**
* 8 cups water
* 1/2 cup kosher salt
* 1/4 cup sugar (brown or granulated)
* 2 tablespoons black peppercorns, crushed
* 4 cloves garlic, smashed
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme
* **Dry Rub:**
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 teaspoon salt
* **Frying:**
* 4-6 cups vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil (for frying; adjust amount based on fryer size or pot)
* Optional: Your favorite hot sauce for serving.

## Equipment:

* Large bowl or container (for brining)
* Whisk
* Paper towels
* Large resealable bag or container (for dry rub)
* Deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot
* Thermometer (for monitoring oil temperature)
* Tongs or slotted spoon
* Wire rack
* Baking sheet

## Step-by-Step Instructions:

### 1. Prepare the Turkey Wings:

* **Thawing:** If your turkey wings are frozen, thaw them completely in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Never thaw at room temperature.
* **Cleaning:** Rinse the turkey wings under cold running water. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
* **Cutting (Optional):** While you can fry the whole wing, cutting it into smaller pieces (drumette, flat, and tip) can make them easier to handle and cook more evenly. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to separate the wing at the joints. Discard the wing tips, save them for stock, or freeze them for later use.

### 2. Brining (Optional, but Highly Recommended):

Brining adds moisture and flavor to the turkey wings, resulting in a more tender and juicy final product. If you skip the brining step, be sure to compensate with a flavorful dry rub.

* **Combine Brine Ingredients:** In a large bowl or container, combine the water, salt, sugar, black peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Whisk until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
* **Submerge Turkey Wings:** Place the turkey wings into the brine, ensuring they are fully submerged. You may need to weigh them down with a plate or a ziplock bag filled with water to keep them submerged.
* **Refrigerate:** Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight (8-12 hours). Do not brine for longer than 12 hours, as the meat can become too salty.
* **Rinse and Dry:** After brining, remove the turkey wings from the brine and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Again, thorough drying is essential for crispy skin.

### 3. Prepare the Dry Rub:

While the wings are brining (or if you skipped the brining step), prepare the dry rub. This combination of spices adds flavor and helps create a delicious crust during frying.

* **Combine Spices:** In a medium bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), black pepper, and salt. Mix well to ensure all the spices are evenly distributed.

### 4. Season the Turkey Wings:

* **Apply Dry Rub:** Place the dried turkey wings in a large resealable bag or container. Pour the dry rub over the wings. Seal the bag or cover the container and shake or toss to coat the wings evenly with the spice mixture. Make sure every surface of the wing is covered. For best results, let the wings rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours, to allow the flavors to meld.

### 5. Prepare for Frying:

* **Choose Your Frying Method:** You can use a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed pot for frying. A deep fryer offers more precise temperature control, but a pot works just as well with careful monitoring.
* **Add Oil:** Pour the vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil into the deep fryer or pot. Make sure you have enough oil to fully submerge the turkey wings, but don’t overfill, as the oil will expand when heated and when the wings are added.
* **Heat Oil:** Heat the oil to 325-350°F (160-175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature. Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial for crispy, evenly cooked wings. Too low, and the wings will be greasy; too high, and they will burn on the outside before cooking through.
* **Safety Precautions:** Always exercise caution when working with hot oil. Wear long sleeves and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself from splatters. Never leave hot oil unattended. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies.

### 6. Fry the Turkey Wings:

* **Fry in Batches:** Carefully add the turkey wings to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer or pot. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy, greasy wings. Depending on the size of your fryer or pot, you may need to fry in 2-3 batches.
* **Fry Time:** Fry the turkey wings for approximately 10-12 minutes per batch, or until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the wing, being careful not to touch the bone.
* **Turning:** Use tongs or a slotted spoon to turn the wings occasionally during frying to ensure even cooking and browning.
* **Remove and Drain:** Once the turkey wings are cooked through and golden brown, carefully remove them from the oil with tongs or a slotted spoon. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. This helps maintain their crispiness.

### 7. Serve and Enjoy:

* **Rest (Optional):** Allow the fried turkey wings to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful wing.
* **Serve:** Serve the golden fried turkey wings hot. They are delicious on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces, such as hot sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or barbecue sauce.
* **Garnish:** Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for added visual appeal.

## Tips for Perfectly Fried Turkey Wings:

* **Use Fresh Oil:** Using fresh, clean oil is essential for achieving the best flavor and preventing off-flavors from transferring to the wings.
* **Maintain Oil Temperature:** Monitoring and maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for even cooking and crispy skin. Use a thermometer and adjust the heat as needed.
* **Don’t Overcrowd:** Frying in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures the oil temperature remains consistent, resulting in crispy, non-greasy wings.
* **Pat Dry:** Thoroughly drying the turkey wings before seasoning and frying is key to achieving crispy skin. Excess moisture will create steam and prevent the wings from browning properly.
* **Brining:** Brining the turkey wings is highly recommended for added moisture and flavor. However, if you skip the brining step, be sure to compensate with a flavorful dry rub.
* **Double Fry (Optional):** For extra crispy wings, you can double fry them. After the initial frying, let the wings cool for a few minutes. Then, fry them again for 1-2 minutes at a slightly higher temperature (375°F/190°C) until they are extra crispy.
* **Seasoning:** Feel free to adjust the dry rub to your liking. Add more or less cayenne pepper for heat, or substitute other spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder.
* **Safety First:** Always exercise caution when working with hot oil. Wear protective clothing, never leave hot oil unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

## Variations:

* **Spicy Fried Turkey Wings:** Increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the dry rub, or add a dash of hot sauce to the wet ingredients.
* **Honey Garlic Fried Turkey Wings:** After frying, toss the wings in a honey garlic sauce made with honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
* **Lemon Pepper Fried Turkey Wings:** Add lemon pepper seasoning to the dry rub for a zesty and flavorful twist.
* **Buffalo Fried Turkey Wings:** Toss the fried wings in your favorite buffalo wing sauce.
* **Herb-Crusted Fried Turkey Wings:** Instead of a dry rub, create a wet batter with herbs, spices, and flour, then dredge the wings before frying.

## Serving Suggestions:

Fried turkey wings are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or a snack. Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Game Day:** Serve with a variety of dipping sauces, celery sticks, and carrot sticks for a classic game-day spread.
* **Potlucks:** Fried turkey wings are a crowd-pleasing dish that is perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
* **Family Dinner:** Serve with sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
* **Sandwiches:** Shred the meat from the fried turkey wings and use it to make sandwiches or sliders with your favorite toppings.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate):

*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the size of the turkey wings, the type of oil used for frying, and the ingredients in the dry rub and dipping sauces.*

* Calories: 350-450 per wing
* Fat: 25-35 grams
* Protein: 25-35 grams
* Carbohydrates: 5-10 grams

## Conclusion:

Fried turkey wings are a delicious and satisfying alternative to chicken wings, offering a unique flavor and texture that is sure to impress. With these detailed steps and instructions, you can create perfectly fried turkey wings with a golden-brown crust and juicy, tender meat. Whether you’re serving them for game day, a potluck, or a family dinner, these crispy wings are guaranteed to be a hit. So, grab some turkey wings, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a truly flavorful feast!