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wild turkey

Baked Turkey Taquitos

May 3, 2022 by Cody

These tasty turkey taquitos are stuffed with wild turkey legs and baked to crispy golden goodness!

These tasty turkey taquitos are stuffed with wild turkey legs and baked to crispy golden goodness!

Years ago, I voiced the difficult time that I had trying to make theme park styled smoked turkey legs.  In short, they were not good…..at all.  I was told,

              “If you want to cook wild turkey legs, build a fire and put some big stone bricks on there.                   Let the bricks get hot, place the turkey legs on there and let them cook for 13-14 hours.                     When they’re done, toss the legs and eat the bricks.”

I’ll be honest.  For years, I would simply remove the breast from the bird and move on.  That was a mistake! Not to mention, it was a substantial waste of meat.  In terms of taquitos, two turkey legs/thighs can yield two dozen taquitos!

What are Taquitos?

Taquitos (little tacos or rolled tacos) are your choice of filling, usually meat and cheese, tightly rolled in a corn tortilla, and then fried.  In this recipe though, we brush the taquitos with avocado oil and bake them! It’s easier and allows you to focus your attention elsewhere in the kitchen.

These tasty turkey taquitos are stuffed with wild turkey legs and baked to crispy golden goodness!

Ingredients for Turkey Taquitos

  • Legs and thighs from 1 Wild Turkey
  • 1 onion
  • 1 can chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce
  • ½ stick of butter (optional)
  • Mexican Chili Powder seasoning
  • Yellow corn tortillas
  • Shredded Mexican Cheese
  • Avocado Oil

How to Cook Wild Turkey Legs

Clean and trim your legs and thighs. Separate the legs from the thighs at the joint.  Rub them down with your preferred rub.  For this recipe, Mexene Original Chili Powder works great.  Place the legs and thighs in the crock pot. Cover them with butter (optional), a sliced onion, and can of chipotle peppers.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours until fork tender.  Pull the meat, discarding all of the tendons and bone.  Using your chef knife, give the meat, onion, and peppers a fine dice.  Now, your meat is ready for taquitos or tacos!!

Tip: Before chopping the meat, you can spread the pulled turkey across a cookie sheet and place under the oven broiler on high.  This will crisp the ends and give a crust similar to being smoked. Be extremely careful not to dry the meat when doing this!

As you can see, my hunting buddy likes turkey legs, too! Haha. We 1, 2, 3’d and boom……got 4 legs!

 

What Goes with Turkey Taquitos?

If you intend to make a meal out of your taquitos, then the standard sides such as Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, or a fresh Mexican Salad are great.  I prefer these as an appetizer, though.  As such, dipping sauces such as queso, salsa, and fresh guacamole are delicious! Sour cream and hot sauce work as well.  Whichever you choose, make sure to have some lime juices on the side for a fresh squeeze.

Tips for the Best Taquitos

Heat the tortillas before rolling. Wrap the corn tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warm.  This moistens the tortillas enough to prevent cracking and busting open when you roll.

Use toothpicks.  Once rolled, stick a toothpick in the taquito to hold it in place while it cooks.

Bake the taquitos.  Traditionally, taquitos are deep fried.  But baking them is healthier and easier.  Once they are prepared, brush the taquitos with avocado oil and bake at 450 until golden and crisp.

Other Turkey Recipes

Fried Turkey Nuggets

Turkey Meatloaf

The Best Turkey Chili

Baked Turkey Taquitos

These tasty turkey taquitos are stuffed with wild turkey legs and baked to crispy golden goodness!

These tasty turkey taquitos are stuffed with wild turkey legs and baked to crispy golden goodness!

Ingredients

  • Legs and thighs from 1 Wild Turkey
  • 1 onion
  • 1 can chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce
  • ½ stick of butter (optional)
  • Mexican seasoning
  • Yellow corn tortillas
  • Shredded Mexican Cheese
  • Avocado Oil

Instructions

  1. Clean and trim your legs and thighs. Separate the legs from the thighs at the joint.  Rub them down with your preferred rub.
  2. Place the legs and thighs in the crock pot. Cover them with butter (optional), a sliced onion, and can of chipotle peppers. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until fork tender. Pull the meat from the bones, discarding all of the tendons and bones.
  3. Using your chef knife, give the meat, onion, and peppers a fine dice. This helps prevent pulling out the meat when you bite.
  4. Wrap the corn tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
  5. Place the meat and cheese on the tortillas (approximately 2-3 tbsp of turkey and 1 tbsp cheese per tortilla) and roll them tightly. Insert a toothpick into each taquito to keep them rolled.
  6. Place taquitos on cookie sheet and brush a light coat of avocado oil over each one.
  7. Bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes or until crispy and golden. Enjoy!

Notes

* you can freeze the cooked turkey meat by itself for a later meal......like next weeks tacos! OR you can make the taquitos (this recipe makes 24) and freeze what you don't eat to be heated later. Similar to those you by in the local store's freezer section, they can be reheated in the microwave or oven.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
    Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
  • Mexene Original Chili Powder Seasoning
    Mexene Original Chili Powder Seasoning
© Cody

Filed Under: Appetizer, Main Dish, Wild Game Tagged With: appetizer, baked taquitos, taquitos, wild game, wild turkey, wild turkey recipe

Fried Turkey Nuggets

April 21, 2022 by Cody

These delicious turkey nuggets, soaked in pickle juice and fried golden brown, are a household favorite.

These delicious turkey nuggets, soaked in pickle juice and fried golden brown, are a household favorite.

 

Spring is in the air! Temperatures are on the rise, rainfall is regular, birds are chirping, and flowers are blooming.  The dormant winter woods are coming back to life.  I enjoy all of these things……..mostly as concealment! That’s right, It’s turkey season in Tennessee! Longbeard’s are letting their hammering gobbles roll through the bottoms in the morning and strutting the afternoon away in open green pastures.  So, flick the ticks, keep an eye out for poison oak and cottonmouths, and put some meat in the freezer because this wild turkey recipe will have you coming back for more.

My daughter toting a tom.

Ingredients for Fried Wild Turkey Nuggets

There are only a few simple ingredients for these delicious fried turkey nuggets.  The hidden gem here, though, is the pickle juice.  It creates a taste that brings a smile to face every time! You will need the following:

  • Pickle Juice
  • Zatarain’s Chicken Fry Mix (or your preference)
  • Wild Turkey Breast
  • Oil for frying

How to Make This Fried Turkey Nuggets Recipe

  • Cut a wild turkey breast into nuggets (approximately 2 in x 1.5 in)
  • Tenderize the nuggets
  • Soak the nuggets in pickle juice for 30 minutes or longer
  • Roll the nuggets in your favorite fry mix
  • Drop the nuggets into the fryer
These delicious turkey nuggets, soaked in pickle juice and fried golden brown, are a household favorite.

A solid turkey platter with fried turkey nuggets, grilled turkey nuggets, turkey poppers. For a Grilled Turkey Nuggets Recipe, click here.

How Long to Cook Fried Turkey Nuggets?

At the recommended size, fry these wild turkey nuggets for approximately six minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.  The nuggets will often float when done.

Tips for Making the Best Turkey Nuggets

  1. Soak in pickle juice for at least 30 minutes prior to battering the nuggets. This makes all the difference!
  2. Tenderize the nuggets before soaking. While this is not a requirement, it definitely improves the quality of fried turkey nuggets by offering a cleaner bite.  I’m sure we’ve all had the nuggets that require a good tug and leave you picking your teeth later.  This removes those issues.  Don’t over tenderize. Just lightly beat each side with a tenderizer hammer.
  3. Let the nuggets drip dry by placing on a roasting basket/rack. This helps prevent the soggy bottom that can come about by using the old paper towel method.  Simply place a roasting basket on a baking sheet or on a paper towel sheet to allow the oil to drip off.  
  4. Go turkey hunting!!! Sure, you can buy domestic turkey at the store (or chicken) and make this recipe but where’s the fun in that!? Get out there and gain some experiences and memories. Enjoy the outdoors and even some time with friends and family. What better way to make the meal even more rewarding and enjoyable?
These delicious turkey nuggets, soaked in pickle juice and fried golden brown, are a household favorite.

Get out there and gain some experiences and memories with friends and family.

Other Turkey Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf

Grilled Turkey Nuggets 

The Best Turkey Chili 

Air Fryer Wild Turkey Poppers

Fried Turkey Nuggets

These delicious turkey nuggets, soaked in pickle juice and fried golden brown, are a household favorite.

These delicious turkey nuggets, soaked in pickle juice and
fried golden brown, are a household favorite.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes

Ingredients

  • Pickle Juice
  • Zatarain’s Chicken Fry Mix (or your preference)
  • 1 Wild Turkey Breast
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Cut a turkey breast into nuggets (approximately 2 in x 1.5 in)
  2. Using a hammer tenderizer, lightly tenderize both sides of the nuggets.
  3. Soak the nuggets in pickle juice for 30 minutes or longer
  4. Heat the oil to about 360 degrees*. We generally use peanut or corn oil for deep frying.
  5. Roll the nuggets in the fry mix ensuring that it is well coated.
  6. Place the breaded nuggets in the fry basket and lower them into oil. Fry until golden brown and the internal temperature is 165 degrees, or about six minutes. The nuggets will often float when done.

Notes

* 350-375 degrees is typically acceptable for deep frying. The given time and temperature is based off of what works best in my fryer.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Zatarain's Southern Buttermilk Chicken Fry Mix
    Zatarain's Southern Buttermilk Chicken Fry Mix
© Cody
Cuisine: Turkey / Category: Main Dish

Filed Under: Main Dish, Wild Game Tagged With: fried turkey nuggets, turkey nugget recipe, turkey nuggets, wild game, wild turkey

Grilled Turkey Nuggets

April 21, 2022 by Cody

Fried turkey nuggets are delicious, but have you tried grilled? These Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets, marinated in a mustard ranch sauce, are a tasty way to change things up.

Fried turkey nuggets are delicious, but have you tried grilled? These Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets, marinated in a mustard ranch sauce, are a tasty way to change things up.

 

Spring is in the air! Temperatures are on the rise, rainfall is regular, birds are chirping, and flowers are blooming.  The dormant winter woods are coming back to life.  I enjoy all of these things……..mostly as concealment! That’s right, It’s turkey season in Tennessee! Longbeard’s are letting their hammering gobbles roll through the bottoms in the morning and strutting the afternoon away in open green pastures.  So, flick the ticks, keep an eye out for poison oak and cottonmouths, and put some meat in the freezer because this wild turkey recipe will have you coming back for more.

My daughter toting a tom.

Ingredients for Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets

  • Ranch Dressing
  • Mustard
  • Wild Turkey Breast
  • Black Pepper
  • Fresh Dill

How to Make This Grilled Turkey Nuggets Recipe

  • Cut a wild turkey breast into nuggets (approximately 2 in x 1.5 in)
  • Tenderize the nuggets
  • Marinate the nuggets in ranch dressing and mustard for 30 minutes or longer
  • Grill the nuggets until done
  • Sprinkle fresh ground black pepper and fresh dill over the nuggets (optional)
These Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets, marinated in a mustard ranch sauce, are a tasty way to change things up.

A solid turkey platter with fried turkey nuggets, grilled turkey nuggets, and turkey poppers. For a Fried Turkey Nugget Recipe, click here. 

How Long to Cook Grilled Turkey Nuggets?

Grill the nuggets over medium heat for 3-4 minutes each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165.

Tips for Making the Best Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets

  1. Tenderize the nuggets before marinating. While this is not a requirement, it definitely improves the quality of grilled turkey nuggets by offering a cleaner bite.  I’m sure we’ve all had the nuggets that require a little tug and leave you picking your teeth later.  This removes those issues.  Don’t over tenderize. Just lightly beat each side with a tenderizer hammer.
  2. Finish with black pepper and dill. Once removed from the grill, sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper and fresh, finely chopped dill. 
  3. Go turkey hunting!!! Sure, you can buy domestic turkey at the store (or chicken) and make this recipe but where’s the fun in that!? Get out there and gain some experiences and memories. Enjoy the outdoors and even some time with friends and family. What better way to make the meal even more rewarding and enjoyable?

Get out there and gain some experiences and memories with friends and family.

Other Turkey Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf

Fried Turkey Nuggets

The Best Turkey Chili 

Grilled Turkey Nuggets

Fried turkey nuggets are delicious, but have you tried grilled? These Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets, marinated in a mustard ranch sauce, are a tasty way to change things up.

Fried turkey nuggets are delicious, but have you tried grilled?
These Grilled Wild Turkey Nuggets, marinated in a mustard ranch sauce, are a
tasty way to change things up.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1-2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 wild turkey breast
  • Black Pepper (optional)
  • Dill (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the ranch, mustard, and 1/2-1 tsp of coarse ground black pepper (optional). You're looking for an even yellow color, no white streaks.
  2. Cut the turkey breast into nuggets (approximately 2 in x 1.5 in). Lightly tenderize each side with a hammer tenderizer. Add the nuggets to the mustard ranch, coat them well, and allow them to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat the grill to 450 degrees* and cook the nuggets for 3-4 minutes each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  4. Remove from the grill, and season with fresh cracked black pepper and fresh, finely chopped dill (optional). Enjoy!!

Notes

* In the event that you run out of gas; your wood, pellets, or coals got wet; the wind keeps the flame out; there is a fire restriction, or anything else that can prevent a good grill session........a cast iron lightly coated with avocado oil will get the job done. Same rules apply, 3-4 min over medium-high heat. Rotate every 2 minutes to help prevent the mustard ranch from burning.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Sir Kensington's Ranch Dressing and Dip
    Sir Kensington's Ranch Dressing and Dip
  • Newman's Own Avocado Oil & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dairy Free Ranch Dressing
    Newman's Own Avocado Oil & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dairy Free Ranch Dressing
© Cody

Filed Under: Main Dish, Wild Game Tagged With: grilled turkey nuggets, turkey nuggets, wild game, wild turkey, wild turkey recipe

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Meet Cody


Hi! I’m Cody and thank you for visiting Wayfinder’s Galley!! I’m a family man, okay exerciser, wanderer, adventurer, and thrill seeker.
And guess what improves all those things……. FOOD!! Read More…

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