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Smoked Turkey Tails: A Complete Guide to Smoking Perfection

a step-by-step grid showing the process of smoked turkey tails

Deeply rooted in Southern tradition, smoked turkey tails offer rich flavor, juicy texture, and irresistible smoky goodness. Discover how to master them from prep to plate.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 turkey tails
  • 1 ½ cups white vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tsp turkey rub or poultry seasoning
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic (for glaze), minced

Instructions

  1. Inspect turkey tails for feather shafts and glands. Remove them, rinse under cold water, and pat dry.
  2. In a zip-top bag, mix vinegar, water, minced garlic, and turkey rub. Add tails and marinate in fridge for 1–4 hours.
  3. Remove from marinade, pat dry, and season generously with turkey rub or your preferred spices.
  4. Preheat grill to 250–275°F using indirect heat. Add wood chunks for smoke flavor.
  5. Place turkey tails skin-side up on the grill. Smoke for 2.5 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 205–210°F.
  6. For the glaze: Combine honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Warm over grill until thickened.
  7. Brush glaze over smoked turkey tails and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  8. Serve whole or use meat in tacos, soups, or casseroles.

Notes

Use cherry, pecan, or oak wood chunks for richer smoke. Let meat rest before serving for juicy, tender bites.

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