Turkey Wings on a Pellet Grill

It’s time to fire up the smoker or pellet grill and get those turkey wings in the brine, given that once you try these turkey wings on a pellet grill recipe, you are never going to look at a turkey the same way again.

This smoked turkey wings recipe will show you the best way to create succulent and juicy turkey in a breeze.

These wings can be made with any pellet grill or smoker for BBQs, summer cookouts, Thanksgiving, or any event.

Why We Eat Turkey Wings

Indeed, so many of us do not like to make a whole turkey. Furthermore, there are also a lot of us who do not eat all of the meat on the turkey.

We all have our favorites. However, a recipe like this is ideal for smaller groups.

In addition, so many people also complain that turkey is dry. But I’m sure you would agree that turkey wings aren’t. So these are perfect for any spread.

Normally, in comparison to most, turkey is regarded as lean meat. It comes with a lot fewer calories and can be served with more or less any side dish.

Where to Buy Turkey Wings

Some standard grocers will keep brands such as Jenni-O and Butterball on hand throughout the year.

A lot of retailers only carry them seasonally around fall. And, normally, a local butcher is helpful.

Smoked Turkey Wings

This recipe for turkey wings on a pellet grill will crush the notion that you need to make the whole turkey.

Well, it’s time to mix it up this Thanksgiving, and you can do that by serving delectably succulent smoked turkey wings.

I agree that Thanksgiving dinner recipes shouldn’t be the same every year. So, feel free to shake up the table and serve something different.

These smoked turkey wings are brushed with an amazing BBQ sauce, smoked low, and come with an extremely juicy bite every single time.

And, if you are in search of a delicious side dish, then I suggest you consider making collard greens and butter beans.

Smoked Turkey Wings

These delicious brined and smoked turkey wings are just like dino wings. One or two is enough for each serving, and I can guarantee that you will love the smoky flavor the pellet grill gives these mouth-watering wings.

Course: Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Buttermilk Brine

• 4 cups of buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons of kosher salt

Turkey Wings

• 12 whole turkey wing sections (flat and point), divided
• 3 tablespoons of turkey BBQ rub
• 3 tablespoons of avocado oil

Laid-Out Instructions

• First, you are to add the buttermilk and salt together, then proceed to mix until the salt is dissolved.
• After that, add the turkey wings to the brine and refrigerate overnight, or if you don’t want that, you can just do it for at least 4 to 5 hours.
• That being done, proceed to preheat your pellet grill to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, then remove your turkey wings from the brine. And, if you haven’t already done it, make sure that you separate them into drums and flats. Make sure you get rid of the tips. Afterward, pat the wings dry with paper towels.
• When that is done, toss the wings with the avocado oil, and then drizzle with the turkey BBQ rub.
• It’s time to now place it on the grill grates and smoke at 250 degrees F for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
• You also have the option of preheating a cast iron pan with ½ inch of oil in the bottom over medium heat. Make sure you briefly shallow fry each wing until the skin is crisp. However, keep in mind that this step is optional.

What to Serve with This Recipe for Smoked Turkey Wings

When it comes to the perfect side dish, you can never go wrong, and below will be plenty of excellent options for you to serve with these tasty wings.

Vegetables

Vegetables are an excellent way to add some color and nutrition to the table. Some fan favorites include green bean casserole with no mushrooms, grilled asparagus, and sheet pan-green bean almondine with bacon.

Potatoes

If you are looking for an excellent way to make the meal nutritious, I suggest you add starch to it. I recommend you make cast iron roasted new potatoes or pellet grill smoked baked potatoes.

Beans

I have nothing against classic recipes, but there’s just something about smoking a dish that makes it better.

You can go for pellet grill-smoked baked beans if you are interested in adding a touch more smoky flavor to the table.

Bread

If your guests are looking for some cornbread and you are serving these wings for a holiday, then I’ve got you some perfect suggestions.

And that includes skillet pumpkin cornbread with bourbon maple butter or homemade spicy honey cornbread muffins; either of these two will do a great job.

Salad

Well, when it comes to salad, you can’t go wrong, but you can make it a good one.

You can go for a steakhouse wedge salad, which happens to be a classic, packed with great flavor, and something everyone will crave more.

How to Store Leftover Smoked Turkey Wings

You can store your leftover turkey wings in a sealed container or zip-lock bag, which will make them last for up to 5 days in the fridge.

When it comes to freezing, I always suggest you go for vacuum sealing, as this will help prevent freezer burn.

You can store them in the freezer, and they will last for up to 4 months. However, you can just wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and then store them in a sealed ziplock bag if you don’t have a vacuum sealer.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the Best Woof for Smoking Turkey Wings?

For these wings, hickory is highly recommended. It gives these wings a distinguishable smoke flavor without overwhelming the meat.

However, if you are interested in a gentler smoke flavor, you have some options, and they include cherry, pecan, apple, or maple.

Why Do You Dry Brine?

All you have to do with the dry method is salt the meat and allow it to rest. The salt draws out the moisture from the skin and meat as it rests.

After that, the moisture dissolves the salt, which the meat reabsorbs to yield more delicious, juicier meat with a drier exterior to get that crunchy skin we all crave.

Do You Have to Trim the Wings Before Smoking?

However, I strongly suggest that you trim the wings for best results, given that the flats are likely to cook faster.

In addition, trimming makes for a more interesting presentation, and you can feed more people with trimmed pieces.

However, if you’ve never trimmed wings, this might seem a little bit intimidating, but as long as you have a sharp knife or can access one, you will see it’s much easier than you’d think.

But, immediately after you trim the wings, you will become a professional.

Conclusion

It is highly recommended that you save the wing tips for making turkey stock, as the wing tips do not have any meat and are very likely to burn.

This is why I suggest you cut them off, but that does not mean they are useless. Just keep them to make a fantastic stock for turkey soup.

Make sure you do not allow the meat thermometer to hit the bone, as you won’t get an accurate reading if the thermometer hits the bone.

Just place the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone.

With that being said, this concludes this guide on “Turkey wings on a pellet grill,” as you now have everything you need to make this perfect recipe.