Securing Turkey Wings for Cooking
To secure turkey wings for cooking, tuck the wing tips underneath the bird's body. Fold each wing tip back and nestle it beneath the turkey, positioning it just below where the legs attach to the body. This simple technique keeps the wings in place without requiring kitchen twine and helps the turkey cook more evenly.
Tucking Method
The easiest approach is to fold the wing tips behind the bird's back, similar to putting your hands behind your head. Take the upper part of each wing (the part not attached to the body) and tuck it up and into the side of the body so it's nestled against the base of the leg. This prevents the wings from stretching out during cooking and creating an awkward appearance.
Alternative Securing Methods
If tucking alone doesn't hold the wings securely, you have additional options:
- Use kitchen twine to wrap around the middle of each wing and tie it to the turkey legs, running the string along the sides of the bird
- Secure wings with waterproof roasting pins or metal skewers, especially useful for larger turkeys
- Cover wing tips with aluminum foil to protect them from burning, as they cook quickly and tend to overcook
