If there’s one dish guaranteed to steal the spotlight at your dinner table, it’s these Honey Baked Turkey Wings. Juicy, golden-brown, and outrageously flavorful, each tender wing is bathed in a sticky-sweet glaze with just the right hint of savory depth. The marriage of honey, herbs, and a subtle tang creates magic: this is comfort food, celebration fare, and weeknight winner, all in one recipe. Get ready for a home-cooked classic that’s surprisingly easy yet feels like a special occasion every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Honey Baked Turkey Wings celebrate simplicity, letting each ingredient shine to create mouthwatering flavor and the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. Every item pulls its weight—whether building rich seasoning, caramelized color, or the signature sticky-sweet glaze—making each wing irresistible.
- Turkey wings: Look for large, meaty turkey wings split at the joints with the tips removed for easier serving and even cooking.
- Olive oil: Adds a silky coating and helps those spices cling, guaranteeing a golden, crisp finish.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and awakens all the other flavors in the dish.
- Black pepper: Brings in a hint of heat and depth that’s never overpowering but always present.
- Garlic powder: Delivers that signature savory aroma and taste we all crave in baked dishes.
- Onion powder: Rounds out the seasoning blend, giving a touch of sweetness and subtle bite.
- Paprika: Gives color and a gentle smoky warmth that plays perfectly against the honey glaze.
- Dried thyme: Infuses earthy, aromatic notes that make the wings taste like they’ve simmered all day.
- Honey: The star of the show, providing sticky sweetness and an irresistible glossy finish.
- Soy sauce: Layers in umami and a hint of salt, deepening the glaze’s flavor without overpowering it.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang and a gentle kick, balancing the honey’s sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the glaze, cutting through the richness and making you crave that next bite.
- Chicken broth or water: Adds just enough moisture for a luscious glaze and helps those wings stay extra juicy.
How to Make Honey Baked Turkey Wings
Step 1: Prep the Turkey Wings
First, make sure your turkey wings are split at the joints and the tips have been removed (save those for homemade stock later). Pat the wings completely dry with paper towels—this is the secret to that deliciously crispy skin and maximum flavor absorption. Line them up in a roomy baking dish so each piece gets its moment in the spotlight.
Step 2: Season with Love
Drizzle the wings with olive oil, then mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme. Sprinkle this flavorful blend all over the wings, using your hands to rub the spices in until every nook and cranny is coated. This step infuses each bite with layers of herby, savory goodness that make Honey Baked Turkey Wings truly special.
Step 3: Whisk the Glaze
In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth (or water). Whisk until smooth. This luscious mixture will transform in the oven, turning sticky and caramelized around every wing.
Step 4: Marry the Flavors
Pour the honey glaze evenly over the wings in the baking dish, using tongs or your hands to turn and coat each wing in the sauce. You want everything to be swimming happily in flavor, so don’t skimp on this step.
Step 5: Cover and Bake
Seal the baking dish tightly with foil to lock in steam and juices. Slide the dish into a preheated oven set to 350°F. Bake covered for one hour—this gives the wings time to absorb every bit of that fragrant, honey-infused marinade while becoming fork-tender.
Step 6: Uncover for Caramelization
Now for the magic: Remove the foil, baste the wings generously with those gorgeous pan juices, and return to the oven uncovered. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes longer, basting once or twice more, until the wings turn glossy and golden brown, and the glaze bubbles and thickens.
Step 7: Rest and Enjoy
Let your Honey Baked Turkey Wings rest for 5 minutes before serving. This brief wait ensures the juices redistribute, resulting in perfectly tender wings with sticky, flavorful skins in every bite.
How to Serve Honey Baked Turkey Wings
Garnishes
For a burst of freshness, sprinkle your wings with chopped fresh parsley or thinly sliced green onions right before serving. If you love a hint of heat, a quick toss of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot honey can elevate things even more. A wedge of lemon on the side adds brightness and makes for a beautiful, restaurant-worthy touch.
Side Dishes
Honey Baked Turkey Wings pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, Southern-style collard greens, or even roasted sweet potatoes. Fluffy rice or buttery cornbread can help soak up the irresistible glaze, rounding out a soul-satisfying meal the whole table will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the wings on a large family-style platter, nestled among roasted root vegetables or colorful sautéed greens for a feast for the eyes and the palate. For a fun twist, offer tiny bowls of extra glaze or hot sauce for dipping, or serve smaller wings as part of a festive game-day spread with napkins at the ready.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the wings cool to room temperature, then transfer them (with plenty of glaze) into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—if they last that long, that is! The flavors only deepen with time, making tomorrow’s lunch just as delicious.
Freezing
To freeze your Honey Baked Turkey Wings, wrap them tightly in foil or freezer-safe plastic wrap, then seal in a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for round two, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
For the tastiest leftovers, reheat the wings gently in a 325°F oven, covered loosely with foil, until just warmed through. Add a splash of broth or water for extra moisture if needed. The microwave works in a pinch for a quick reheating, but the oven keeps the skin crisp and the glaze sticky.
FAQs
Can I use chicken wings instead of turkey?
Absolutely! This recipe adapts wonderfully to chicken wings. Just reduce the cooking time—bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncover and finish for another 15–20 minutes until beautifully caramelized and tender.
How can I make these Honey Baked Turkey Wings spicier?
If you love heat, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper, some crushed red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the honey glaze. It’s a simple way to kick things up a notch while letting that sweet-salty glaze still shine.
What’s the best way to split turkey wings?
To split turkey wings, use a sharp chef’s knife or heavy kitchen shears to cut through the joint between the drumette and the flat. Removing the tip (which has little meat) makes them easier to arrange and eat, but save those tips for stock making later!
Can I prepare Honey Baked Turkey Wings ahead of time?
Definitely! You can season and marinate the wings in the glaze overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, simply remove from the fridge while you preheat the oven and then follow the baking instructions as usual.
What can I do if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?
If you’re out of apple cider vinegar, substitute with white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or even fresh lemon juice. The key is a touch of acidity to balance the honey and create that bold, craveable glaze.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to shake up your dinner routine with a dish that’s equal parts satisfying and show-stopping, these Honey Baked Turkey Wings are your ticket. They’re simple, soul-warming, and sure to earn rave reviews from everyone at your table. Go ahead—give them a try, and get ready for requests for seconds!
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Honey Baked Turkey Wings Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Delicious honey baked turkey wings with a flavorful glaze that’s perfect for a Southern-inspired meal. These wings are tender, juicy, and packed with savory-sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large turkey wings (split at joints, tips removed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare Turkey Wings: Pat the turkey wings dry and place them in a large baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth. Pour over the wings.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove foil, baste the wings, and bake for an additional 30–40 minutes until golden and tender.
- Rest and Serve: Let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can broil the wings for the last 2–3 minutes for extra caramelization.
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce to the honey glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 turkey wing
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
