Recipe for soul food style Smothered Turkey Wings, Legs, and Thighs
I uploaded a recipe for smothered turkey wings almost two years ago. Since then, I’ve been getting a ton of request for a updated version. Since everyone seemed to really love my smothered turkey wings recipe, and had many questions about it, I just decided to upload the recipe again. However, this time around I’m making a homemade gravy- AND you can make smothered turkey wings, legs or thighs with this recipe!
This smothered turkey wings, legs, and thigh recipe is a very soulful one. In fact, if you grew up in a household that ate soul food on the regular, you know that this is the real deal! This time around, I’m not using any canned cream of mushroom, or taking any shortcuts. I’m making everything homemade, gravy and all.
Believe it or not, making your own gravy is a lot easier than it sounds. Also, homemade gravy tastes a lot better than any canned, jared, or powdered gravy. The gravy that we are making for our smothered turkey legs, wings, and thighs is absolutely amazing. Not only is it great to smother the turkey, it taste great on top of mashed potatoes and rice as well!
In the video clip below I will be using turkey legs. Keep in mind that you CAN use this same recipe for smothered turkey wings, thighs, and even turkey necks!
Watch the video tutorial
Smothered Turkey Wings, Legs, or Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs turkey wings legs or thighs
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground sage
- 1 tsp dry thyme
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 small bell pepper chopped
- 2 stalks of celery chopped
- salt & pepper for taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 F.
- Rinse the turkey under cool water, then pat dry.
- Combine all of the seasonings: Salt, pepper, thyme,sage,onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Season the turkey with the seasonings, and rub all over.
- Sprinkle the all purpose flour into a large freezer bag, then place the turkey into the bag.
- Close the bag, and shake until all of the turkey is nicely coated with the flour( don’t toss out the excess flour).
- Place a large pan on the stovetop and add in 3 tbsp of vegetable oil, and 2 tbsp of butter.
- Melt the butter, and heat up the oil over medium heat.
- Once the oil & butter is nice and hot, add in the turkey.
- Brown all surfaces of the turkey, then remove from the pan, and put the turkey into a large bake dish.
- Head back to the stovetop and toss in all of the chopped vegetables.
- Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to your preference, and cook the veggies, over medium heat, until they are translucent.
- Once done turn off the heat, and add the veggies into the bake dish with the turkey, but reserve the oil/butter mixture.
- Cover the bake dish with foil, and bake the turkey for 2 hours ( on 325 F).
How to Make Homemade Gravy
- Heat up the butter/oil mixture over medium heat.
- Once the butter/oil is nice and hot sprinkle in the flour ( leftover from earlier).
- Stir continuously, and brown.
- Pour in the chicken broth, and stir to prevent and lumps.
- Next add in the half & half, and stir until everything is well combined.
- Let the gravy cook over medium heat until it starts to thicken up.
- Remove the turkey from the oven, and uncover.
- Pour the gravy all over the turkey, making sure that it is nicely smothered, then cover.
- bake for an additional 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Remove the turkey form the oven, and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Try these recipes as well!
Slow Cooker Smothered Turkey Wings
staanley says
Rosie you know you can cook your butt off girl……..yes
Rosie says
Thank you!
Janice says
You have some Delicious recipes on here Rosie, thank you very much. You can really cook. Good to be able to eat some Delicious REAL food and meals. Thank you for ALL of your Recipes!
Tea G says
Awesome recipe! Best out! You go sis!
Rosie says
Hi Rosie. My name is Rosie “too”! For 1st time this AM, I viewed your smothered turkey leg recipe. Making preparations for dinner of this recipe for my husband & I this evening. Nice presentation; will let you know outcome. I Luv to cook too! Rosie.
shaun says
I fixed this last night……damn delicious!! thanks
Rosie says
I love it as well!
Diedra says
I just cooked this for my Sunday dinner. Oh my goodness, the turkey wings are fantastic! I have made turkey wings using a different recipe before; however, they have never tasted as great as this recipe! My husband loves it. Thanks Rosie!
Rosie says
Thank you for trying my recipe darlin’!
Lamar says
Rosie thank you ! You saved my thanksgiving !!!
Rosie says
XOXO! Happy holidays!
Lita Reid says
Thank you for your recipes AND videos. Thanks to you my family thinks I can cook now.
I could HUG your neck!
Lita
Rosie says
XOXO
Es says
Rosie, for the life of me I can’t seem to find the recipe ingredients for your No Bake Easy Cheese Cake. I wild appreciate it if you left me the Ingredient measurement in the reply or email it to me, Thanks
Rosie says
Which one? I have a couple of them.
Tonya says
Can you use this recipe with chicken?
Rosie says
I have a smothered chicken recipe available.
Raymond says
Trying this today.
Nicole says
I just made your smothered turkey legs for dinner today it turn out so freaking good lol everyone in my family enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Rosie says
Hi Nicole! I’m glad that you all loved the recipe! XOXO
Erika says
Hi Rosie,
I ran across your wonderful site yesterday and figured I would try this recipe first. All is can say is AWESOMENESS AT IT’S BEST!! This is by far the best recipe I have made thus far. I can’t wait to try the others. Many blessings to you, your family and your culinary talent!
Rosie says
Thank you Erika! I’m glad that you found my blog! XOXO
Senoritabonita says
Tried this recipe yesterday and enjoyed it ….wonder if you think making this with chicken thighs would work.
Thank you
Dee
Rosie says
Hi there! I actually have a pretty amazing smothered chicken recipe uploaded. 🙂
greg says
i made this last week, did the recipe just like u said. It came out PERFECT.. the best fn turkey wings ever.. i had to Pin it! Thanks
Rosie says
Thanks for trying my recipe Greg!
Joy says
Listen here. I don’t know you personally but I feel that my spirit was led to your site and now we’re e-BFF’s lol. This came out soooooo good! I’ve never been successful at making gravy and your recipe has me feeling something like a Master Chef! Seriously, I will definitely be perusing your site for more recipes. This one was awesome! Keep up the good work 🙂
Rosie says
Well hello there my BFF!!! LOL. I’m so glad that you found my blog. XOXO
Dominique says
We had this tonight for dinner it was amazing!!!!
Rosie says
So glad that you liked the recipe!
Kay says
I made this recipe using both turkey wings and legs 2 nights ago and it was a hit! Literally was gone so fast I don’t even have a chance to eat seconds. My family enjoyed this. I followed your recipe exactly, increasing measurements being that I used 6 pieces of meat. I’ll be doing this again before the year is over! Just like my mother used to make! Thank you!!
Rosie says
Hi Kay! I’m happy to hear that you tried & liked my recipe! XOXO
Gregory says
Hey Rosie.. i have a ques.. If im making 2 five pound pans of turkey wings, how long do i bake in oven b4 i put on the gravy????? Thank You & Happy Thanksgiving.. -Greg
Rosie says
Hey Greg. Try adding the gravy during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Happy holidays.
Kadija says
Just made this and Yasss all the Way.. Only thing I did diffrent is Used my Pressure cooker instead of oven… Delicious!!! I love your blog.. Big Fan.. Just had to show love this time
Rosie says
Thanks for trying my recipe Kadija!
Azalea B says
If I don’t cook it with bell pepper and celery will it damage the dish? My boyfriend doesn’t Care for either
Rosie says
You can leave both out. It will taste different, but if he doesn’t like either I’d leave them out 🙂
Tanya says
Delicious. I actually tweeted the recipe to make it more heart healthy and because my husband has problems digesting gravy which I think is related to the amount of oil.
I seasoned turkey thighs the night before , lightly brushed with olive oil then baked uncovered 350 until nicely browned. I used the 1/ 2 cup of flour in the butter/ olive oil. Instead of half and half I used 2 % milk with 1 tbsp. flour wished in
I drained the oil before adding cooked veggies and gravy
Nicole says
Can I use chicken drumsticks? And slow cook it the same way
Rosie says
Hi Nicole. Try my southern smothered chicken recipe.
Carolyn Harris says
So good, l cook turkey legs Sunday so good.Thanks!!
Rosie says
Thanks for trying! 🙂
LaKeesha Ousley says
OMG this was so good! Now, it took forever to prepare but my family absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for sharing this I really mean that. I will definitely make this again after I forget how long it took to prepare lol. Thank you and may you be richly blessed you have a gift girl.
Rosie says
Thanks LaKeesha! Glad that you liked the recipe!
D says
Awesome recipe luckily stumbled onto thanks for sharing
LaPorshua Hill says
I tried this exact recipe and the gravy was to die for I was excited about how I can use this smothered recipe on anything trying it on pork chops tonight and making extra gravy for my homemade mashed potatoes…thank you so much for this website plus I can incorporate these into my diet as well
David Woolwine says
I made this making a few changes. Who doesn’t substitute. I didn’t have garlic powder in the house so I used lots of crushed garlic bulbs and I hate celery so I left that out. It was still great! I strongly recommend.
Ria says
Sooo delicious! Slap my momma good! Just kiddin ma!
Xoxo
THANK YOU ROSIE!
Denise Mason says
I have looked at a couple of sites and have decided to try this tomorrow for my boyfriend’s birthday. He loves gravy so I know he will enjoy this!
Rosie says
Enjoy! 🙂
P.A. says
This recipe is so good!! I made if for my partner’s family last night and they all said it was great and we didn’t end up with any leftovers. So flavourful and tender, I’ll definitely make it again 🙂
Rosie says
I’m glad that you all liked the recipe!
Jasmine says
I will try this receipe this afternoon. I have heavy cream in my fridge. Can I use that instead of half and half?
Rosie says
No, do not just use heavy cream. Use half milk, and half cream
Jasmine says
This turned out pretty good. My husband and his kids are not big fans of veggies so next time I have an idea of removing the celery and onions before adding the gravy. Flavor was awesome and Turkey very tender. My first time being successful at making homemade gravy as well. Thank you!
Jasmine says
This turned out pretty good. My husband and his kids are not big fans of veggies so next time I have an idea of removing the celery and onions before adding the gravy. Flavor was awesome and Turkey very tender. My first time being successful at making homemade gravy as well. Thank you!
R. Rigby says
This was sooooooooooo good, my husband went back for more. Will most certainly do this again. The flavor was awesome.
Edwina says
My very picky daughter absolutely loved this recipe, so much so that she has somehow talked me into making it on a weeknight! The wings were flavorful and amazingly tender. While the cook time is definitely long (and worth the wait), the hands-on time does not make too bad, even for a weeknight.
Mr. Ford says
Omg!!! These were absolutely delicious!! But my question is if you were going to make more at one time as in (4)pounds of turkey, would the recipe just double in measurements?
Rosie says
Yes 🙂
A. Garvey says
I made these wings for Thanksgiving and they were wonderful, tasty and tender. This is one is a true keeper.
Janelle says
My husband asked me to make smothered turkey wings last night. I never made that dish. before so I googled it. Rosie’s recipe was the first to appear and I was immediately intrigued. I got all the ingredients and made it last night, it was so delicious! The turkey wings (and legs) literally fell off the bone. My husband and I really enjoyed this meal and I’m adding it into our dinner rotation. Thank you, Rosie!
Rosie says
Thanks for trying my recipe hun!
Chandra Jackson says
Hi Rosie. Do you have Recipe for turkey necks?
Rosie says
I do, but it’s not posted 🙂
Varna Mitchell says
Turkey wing recipe, my family loves
Wayne Tony says
Insert 6th star here! My sister, i started to mail you an engagement ring for this right here! Real diamond, no cubic zirconia…lol! This was sooo good! My sister had just had a baby and I made these for her. She absolutely smashed them and now it’s a requested fave. Thanks for the recipe!
Rosie says
LOL!!! So glad that you liked the recipe!
Glo says
Just made the smothered turkey with your recipe loved it!!!thank you so much
Rosa Hicks-Colon says
Rosie!!
I made your famous Turkey legs, just like you directed in the instructions. Girl, I am 63 years old and that was the best I have ever had.
Thank you so much!
P.S. you need your own cooking show!
Keuan McNeal says
I plan on cooking this for Thanksgiving!! Can I add some potatoes in the pan along with the gravey
Rosie says
You sure can 😉
Erin K Johnson says
Hi Rosie.
I will be trying this recipe with turkey wings portions for Christmas dinner. Thanks a lot
Carl says
I’m cooking this now for my mom and wife. They keep saying how good it smells. It looks so good, can’t wait to taste it.
Nicole Lawless says
This is the first recipe that I tried of yours and I’ve been coming back ever since! Thank you Rosie for blessing us with your recipes and stories of your childhood. For some, it takes us back to our grandma’s kitchen when we were growing up❤
Raye Donaldson says
I made you recipe tonight and MY GOD it was too good!
Thank you Rosie!!! THANK YOU!
Rosie says
Thanks for trying my recipe! XOXO
Aisha says
Cooked this today and followed the recipe step by step. It was delicious!!! Definitely will be trying another recipe.
Bill says
Hello Rosie, I’ve made this recipe before, but I would like to make it with much more gravy. How can I make it with more gravy? What should I change?
Rosie says
Hello Bill. You can just double the gravy ingredients 🙂
Sharon says
This recipe was awesome TY sooo much
Barbara says
Love this. Going to try it today
Rosie says
Hello Rosie, just tried your Smothered Turkey Leg recipe & girlfriend it’s bomb okkkkk!!!! I’ll be trying more recipes….. oh yeah, my name is Rosie also lol!!
Sioux says
ROSIE, ROSIE, YOUR RECEIPES ARE TO DIE FOR! I LOVE THE SOUTHERN SOUL COOKING, AS THE FLAVORS ARE AMAZING. THANKS FOR SHARING, AND SO GLAD YOU SURFACED INTO MY COOKING WORLD.
Rosie says
THANK YOUUUUU!!!! XOXOXOX
Beryl says
Awesome. Thank you for this recipe.
Dexx says
Thank u Mam… this recipe is filled with tips, from temp, to seasonings etc. i thank you for your gracious share with the world
cathy says
Love your recipe. Mmmm Mmmmm good.
Denise says
How would you prepare this in a crockpot?
Rosie says
Hello! Please check out my slow cooker turkey wings recipe.
Ursula Augustine says
THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE!
It was easy to follow and more importantly it was DELISH!!
LynnieR says
I love this recipe! I’ve made it several times using turkey drumsticks (four, which weigh out to 4 lbs so l basically double it.) It is super easy, seems almost foolproof if you follow it as written, and very delicious. I make it pretty much exactly as written. with only very minor subs (swapped out the thyme and sage for some stellar artisan poultry seasoning that contains both herbs … and added a loving pinch of cayenne to the seasonings.)
The one thing I did find is I needed less cooking time … my oven is nothing special but I am using an enameled cast iron baking pan which maybe intensified the heat. Anyway I found it seems to work best for us to do the prep and browning as described, then cook tightly covered at 325F for about 90 minutes, make the gravy and smother the legs to cook for another 30-40 minutes.The meat i falling off the bone, flavorful and succulent and gravy is SO good! Perfection!!
Thank you for this great, well written recipee!!
Rosie says
Thanks so much for the feedback!