10 Best Wild Turkey Recipes for Dinner (2024)

If you think turkey is dry and dull, you need to try these wild turkey recipes. The meat is darker, richer, and much more flavorful than regular turkey.

And from a traditional roast bird to gumbo and nuggets, there’s something for everyone here.

10 Best Wild Turkey Recipes for Dinner (1)

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to start planning your menu.

Whether you’re a fan of dark meat or white meat, these wild turkey recipes are sure to deliver. I just know they’ll be gobbled up in no time!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking!

10 Easy Recipes for Wild Turkey We Adore

1. Roasted Wild Turkey

Wild turkeys are usually smaller and more tender than domesticated turkeys. That means they’re way easier to roast.

Simply rub the skin with olive oil and your favorite spices and stuff the cavity with aromatics like onions and garlic.

Then roast in a preheated oven until the skin is crisp and the meat is cooked through.

Serve roasted wild turkey with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce for a truly traditional Thanksgiving feast.

2. Smoked Wild Turkey Breast

Is there anything better than smoked turkey breast? I mean, really!

The salty, smoky flavor is like nothing else. And when it’s done right, the meat is juicy, tender, and mouthwateringly scrumptious.

You get a complex array of tastes and aromas when you smoke turkey breast.

The smoked wood adds a touch of sweetness, while the spices add depth and warmth.

And, of course, the turkey itself brings its own unique flavor to the mix. Together, they create something exceptional.

3. Smoked Wild Turkey Jerky

This is the perfect snack for those who like their meat with a little bit of a kick.

The blend of smoky spices gives the jerky a bold flavor that’s sure to satisfy. And it all starts with high-quality turkey.

It’s the only way to get the best flavor and texture.

When slicing the meat, cut it against the grain, so it is easy to chew.

And if you don’t have a smoker, try this with a dash of liquid smoke in a dehydrator.

4. Whiskey Glazed Wild Turkey Breast

This Thanksgiving, why not ditch the boring old turkey and try something with a little more flavor?

Whiskey-glazed wild turkey breast is a delicious alternative that’s sure to impress your guests.

It’s juicy and tender with a slightly sweet and smoky flavor.

Serve it with roasted potatoes and vegetables for a truly memorable meal. And don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of whiskey to boot!

5. Easy Skillet Wild Turkey and Broccoli

One bite of this wild turkey, and you’ll forget all about that bland old turkey you usually make.

Packed with plenty of protein and nutrients, this recipe is a delicious and healthy way to get your fill of Thanksgiving flavors.

And leftovers reheat beautifully, so feel free to double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd.

Serve over brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal, or enjoy it with salad for a light lunch.

6. Smoked Wild Turkey Legs

If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating a smoked wild turkey leg, then you’re in for a real treat.

These juicy legs are smoked in a pellet smoker, infusing them with a deep, irresistible flavor.

The meat is so succulent and tender it practically melts in your mouth. And when paired with the right sides, it makes for a truly unforgettable meal.

Serve a few of these this holiday season, and your family will beg you for the recipe!

7. Smoked Braised and Fried Wild Turkey Wings

These smoked, braised, and fried wild turkey wings are the perfect appetizer for your next get-together.

The smoky flavor of the braised wings, combined with the crispy texture of the fried skin, makes for a dish that’s simply irresistible.

The braising process helps to tenderize the meat, while the frying gives them a crispy exterior.

Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy the flavors of smokey, sweet, and savory all in one bite.

8. Fried Turkey Nuggets

This delicious combination of juicy turkey and crispy, golden-fried batter is hard to resist.

There’s nothing quite like the smell of turkey frying in the kitchen. And when that turkey is cut into delicious nuggets, it’s even better.

They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a main course.

For an extra special treat, top them with a dollop of cranberry sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

9. Turkey Gumbo with Andouille and Shrimp

This isn’t your everyday gumbo recipe. Oh no, this is a next-level gumbo.

Made with spicy andouille sausage, tender shrimp, and plenty of aromatic veggies, it’s a hearty, deeply flavorful stew that’ll leave you feeling satisfied without being weighed down.

To round out the meal, I like to serve this gumbo over a bed of rice with a side of cornbread or hushpuppies.

And for an extra bit of flavor, top it off with a sprinkle of green onions or parsley. Enjoy!

10. Instant Pot Wild Turkey Breast with Mashed Potatoes

For the die-hard turkey lovers out there, this is Thanksgiving in a single dish.

It’s succulent wild turkey breast smothered in gravy and served with creamy mashed potatoes.

And the best part? It can all be made in an Instant Pot!

That’s right. There’s no need to heat up the whole house with the oven or worry about that electricity bill.

So if you’ve never tried it before, now’s your chance. Oh, and it can even be made ahead and reheated when you need it.

10 Best Wild Turkey Recipes for Dinner (2)

10 Best Wild Turkey Recipe Collection

If you think turkey is dry and dull, you need to try these wild turkey recipes. The meat is darker, richer, and much more flavorful than regular turkey.

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a delicious wild turkey recipe in 30 minutes or less!
10 Best Wild Turkey Recipes for Dinner (3)

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10 Best Wild Turkey Recipes for Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook wild turkey? ›

It can be cooked just like a traditional Thanksgiving turkey, baked in the oven and basted with your own secret sauce. Many people deep fry their turkey whole and say that it makes the meat moist. My experience has been that you can hardly mess up when cooking the breast of a wild turkey.

What is the best food for wild turkeys? ›

Plant Other Nut and Berry-Producing Plants: In addition to oak acorns, other staples of the wild turkey diet include beech nuts, pecans, hickory nuts, crabapples, and hackberries. By planting native nut and berry-producing plants you'll provide turkeys with the natural foods they've consumed for thousands of years.

What is the best meat from a wild turkey? ›

The breasts and legs (meaning drumsticks and thighs) are the most popular cuts and you can see how to remove them in the video above. Wild turkey wings are often overlooked, mostly because they are a hassle to pluck and clean.

What to do with wild turkeys? ›

Don't let turkeys intimidate you

Don't hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises, swatting with a broom or water sprayed from a hose. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent. Turkeys that repeatedly challenge or attack people may ultimately have to be destroyed.

What do you soak wild turkey in before cooking? ›

2. Soak the turkey meat overnight in lightly salted, cold water– Once the turkey has aged, pluck the feathers and prepare it for a whole roasting turkey, or breast it.

How do you make wild turkey not taste gamey? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.

Is wild turkey healthy to eat? ›

Health Benefits of Eating Wild Turkey

Turkey is a rich source of protein, with a single serving making up as much as 65% of your recommended intake for the day.

What mixes well with wild turkey 101? ›

Add Wild Turkey® 101 Bourbon and syrup to a mixing glass with ice. Add two dashes of bitters and stir together. Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with orange peel. This is how you make the Old Fashioned co*cktail.

Do wild turkeys eat rice? ›

Quails, wild turkeys, and pheasants like and can eat a lot of rice. Many people want to keep pigeons, grackles, and blackbirds away from bird feeders installed for other birds.

What is the tastiest wild meat? ›

The 10 Best Tasting Wild Game Animals
  • Mountain Sheep. Wild sheep cooked on an open fire is the ultimate wild game meat. ...
  • Elk. Cow elk are trophies for meat hunters. ...
  • Moose. Moose bring a lot to the table, in terms of quality and quantity. ...
  • Caribou. ...
  • Muskox. ...
  • Mallards. ...
  • Axis Deer. ...
  • Ring-necked Pheasant.
Oct 11, 2022

Are wild turkeys tough to eat? ›

Just about every part of a wild turkey is edible. While the legs and thighs of a wild turkey aren't as tender as the breast meat, they are even more flavorful. Use them in soups, stews, slow-cooked turkey barbecue, and, my favorite, turkey and dumplings.

What is a wild turkey's favorite food? ›

Turkeys, being omnivores, eat just about anything, with favorites including bugs, tender greens, acorns, berries, corn, soybeans, sorghum, milo, sunflowers, chufa, and other seeds and grains.

What can I feed wild turkeys in my yard? ›

Whole corn works best; cracked corn is not good because of mold. Soybeans are also a good high-energy supplementary food source. After food plots and crop fields are gone, feeding along those edges is a very effective way to feed not just turkeys, but all wildlife.

Can turkeys eat apples? ›

Yes, apples are safe for turkeys to eat in moderation.

Is wild turkey good for cooking? ›

When you cook wild turkey, it is more flavorful than domestic turkey because the wild bird is more active, and actually fly, which means the muscles are worked more resulting in higher oxygen content and leaner, darker meat.

How long to soak wild turkey in milk? ›

I like to put my game steaks, birds or other meats in a sealed container or big ziplock bag, along with some buttermilk, and soak them in the refrigerator overnight. Regular milk or powdered milk will work, but buttermilk is best.

What part of a wild turkey do you eat? ›

After breaking down the bird into its major section – breasts, legs and thighs -- many cooks bake, grill or smoke the breast and use the tougher leg and thigh meat for soups and stews.

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