"Moonchild" Smothered Southern Turkey Necks {Recipe}

4.9 from 8 votes

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Tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey necks swimming in a silky, slow-built gravy—this is soul food that hugs you back. (Video & Recipe Included)

Low and slow is the name of the game, and turkey necks are the unsung heroes that make it sing. This smothered turkey necks recipe leans into deep creole seasoning, patient braising, and a peppery gravy—solving the problem of tough necks and thin sauce in one soulful move. This is church-basement comfort with grown-folks swagger.

If you like a good boldly flavored neck bones recipe also try these wine braised beef neck bones.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with smothered turkey necks)

Rick James’ “Moon Child” pairs beautifully with smothered turkey necks and gravy because both move with slow-burning sensuality and unapologetic depth.

“Moon Child” doesn’t rush—it glides. The bass creeps in heavy and hypnotic, just like turkey necks easing into tenderness as collagen melts and the gravy thickens low and slow. Rick’s vocals float between grit and silk, mirroring that balance in the dish: rough-cut, working-class meat transformed into something luxurious through patience and technique.

Flavor Profile (what makes the dish unique)

Deep Savory Soul:Turkey necks release natural gelatin during the braise, creating a gravy that’s rich, meaty, and spoon-clinging in the best way. The other ingredients add to it and makes the flavor complex, robust, and comforting.

Layered Aromatics:The holy trinity of onions, peppers, and celery builds a fragrant, savory foundation that adds da good smells to the entire dish as it cooks low and slow.

Bold, Funky Finish:Beer and Worcestershire add subtle bitterness and depth, keeping the gravy from tasting flat or one-note.

Key Ingredients (and their roles)

• Creole Seasoning: Sets the flavor tone early with salt, spice, and Southern backbone that penetrates the meat.
• Bacon: Renders smoky fat that enriches the gravy and seasons every layer that follows.
• Holy Trinity (Onion, Bell Pepper, Celery): The aromatic soul of the dish, delivering sweetness, earthiness, and balance.
• Beer: Deglazes the pot while adding complexity and mellow bitterness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings savory flavor depth and subtle tang that rounds out the gravy.

Marwin's Flavor-philes and Liner Notes

Test Kitchen Tips to cook turkey necks and elevate flavor and texture based on tried and true recipe testing

Each of these key ingredients plays a bold, deliberate role in building the deep, layered flavor of southern smothered turkey necks—bringing depth, and complexity that transform a humble cut into something unforgettable.

• Creole Seasoning: The heartbeat of the dish that delivers that signature Southern swagger. It was chosen for its bold, all-in-one punch that seasons the meat inside and out, enhancing the natural savoriness of the turkey necks and tying together the whole pot with warm, peppery rhythm.
• Beer: Adds a malty, slightly bitter depth to the braising liquid, tenderizing the turkey necks while balancing the heat of the seasoning. It also gives the gravy body without making it feel muddy. I prefer a lager for its mellow, caramel undertones that meld with the turkey.
• Worcestershire Sauce: It's subtle but anchoring tying together the meaty, spicy, and aromatic components with a savory vibe that rounds out the gravy. I included it for its ability to deepen flavor without overpowering.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these southern smothered turkey necks over hot rice so the grains soak up every drop of gravy. They’re also right at home with creamy mac and cheese, fried black eyed peas or alongside Southern-style collard greens with smoked turkey. Southern style fried cabbage is a favorite pairing of mine. Fo a main dish pairing you can never go wrong with fried chicken.

Recipe Variations & Ingredient Substitutions

• Smoked Turkey Necks: Swap in smoked necks for an extra layer of deep, campfire-style flavor.
• No Beer Option: Use chicken stock with a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness.
• Extra Heat: Add cayenne or crushed red pepper to the Creole seasoning blend.
• Oven-Braised Method: Cover and cook low in the oven for ultra-even tenderness.

Test Kitchen Tips for Best Results

• Brown the turkey necks thoroughly—fond equals flavor, and flavor equals respect.
• Keep the simmer gentle; aggressive boiling will tighten the meat.
• Let the gravy rest before serving so it thickens naturally and flavors settle into harmony.

These smothered turkey necks and gravy aren’t flashy—they’re foundational. Slow-cooked, funk-laced, and deeply comforting, this is soul food that moves like Rick James: smooth on the surface, powerful underneath.

make this smothered turkey necks recipe

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Smothered Southern Turkey Necks

Creole flavored Turkey Necks recipe that are comforting and delicious. Tender turkey necks are smothered with onions, celery, garlic, and a deeply flavored roux! Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Prep Time: 5 minutes minutesCook Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes Course: Main CourseCuisine: Soul Food, southern Servings: 4 people Calories: 737kcal Author: Marwin Brown

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 lbs Turkey Necks regular unsmoked
• ▢ 4 slices of Bacon
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1 med Yellow Onion diced
• ▢ 4 Garlic Cloves diced
• ▢ 3 Celery ribs diced
• ▢ 1 Bell Peppers seeded and diced
• ▢ 1 Bay Leaf
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
• ▢ 2 cups Chicken Stock
• ▢ ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ ½ cup Beer
• ▢ ½ cup Flour
• ▢ ½ cup Melted Butter

Instructions

• Fry bacon in a dutch oven pot. Remove bacon and set aside.
• Season turkey necks with ½ the creole seasoning. Brown all side of the turkey necks in the bacon fat. Remove and set aside.
• Add the onions and saute 3-5 minutes until onions are a bit translucent. Add the celery, garlic, and peppers sautéing for another minute.
• Season the vegetables with ¼ of the creole spice mix, pepper, plus the dried herbs.
• Add the beer and deglaze the bottom of the pot scraping up any brown bits. Reduce the beer about half, then add the stock and Worcestershire sauce. Add remaining seasoning plus the bay leaf and mix well.
• Add the turkey necks back to the pot. Bring everything to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cover with lid.
• Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees F. Place the pot into the oven and let braise about 2 hours.
• While the turkey necks cook, make your roux. Add butter and flour to a cast iron skillet and heat on medium. Mix the flour into the melted butter well and stir continuously until desired color.
• Remove the turkey necks from the oven. Take the turkey necks out of the pot and set aside. Add the roux to the pot and mix well. Cook on the stovetop over medium heat to allow the sauce to thicken.
• Serve the turkey necks with rice, topped with the gravy.

Video

Notes

You can make these with either raw or smoked turkey necks depending on what’s available to you. I prefer raw as they tend to be slightly more tender when cooking. I like to make my own seasoning mix for more control particularly when it comes to salt. Many commercial ones, though flavorful typically contain a lot more salt. To make your own mix together paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Use a full body beer vs a light one. I’m partial to a lager or pilsner style brew. Season at each step for rich, deep flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 340mg | Sodium: 1224mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2285IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 5mg Subscribe To My YouTube ChannelSubscribe To My YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I post new videos. My YouTube Channel Tried this Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @foodfidelity or tag #foodfidelity!

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