Buffalo Turkey Wings Recipe

By
Heather Ramsdell
Heather Ramsdell
Heather Ramsdell

Heather Ramsdell was a Senior Editorial Director for The Spruce Eats, where she led the editorial team to create recipes, tell stories, and help people cook and learn about food.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/29/22
Buffalo Turkey Wings

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 90 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 6 to 8 wings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
398 Calories
37g Fat
6g Carbs
12g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 398
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 47%
Saturated Fat 13g 64%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Sodium 385mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 201mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

I have recently learned that some people actually, secretly, do not like Thanksgiving turkey. I know this is hard to believe. Some even say it's dry. Gravy is often the solution. But if you or someone you love also think that this traditional dish is bland, then giant, meaty, spicy Buffalo wings may help. This year is complicated and it's a great time to keep the traditions we love, but let's hit pause on the traditions we don't and make exactly the dinner we want. And, let's make a lot of it. 

With these wings, we first tenderize with some slow wet roasting, then we crank the heat up to crisp all of that incredible skin. We all know how this is going to end: Melt a stick of butter and swirl it with enough hot sauce (Frank's is a widely appreciated brand for this dish). And then, in a huge bowl, toss them around in this sauce and get a bib.

1:35

Buffalo Turkey Wings

Ingredients

For the Wings:

  • 6 to 8 turkey wing halves, flats or drumettes (or a combination)

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 cup water

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup vinegary hot sauce (such as Frank's)

For Serving:

  • 1 cup blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing

  • Carrot sticks

  • Celery sticks

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

    gather buffalo turkey wing ingredients

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Line up the wings on a baking pan fitted with a rack. Sprinkle the wings on all sides with salt and pepper.

    lay wings on rack and sheet and season with salt and pepper

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Pour in a cup of water and cover the pan. Roast until the meat is tender when you poke it with a fork, but not falling apart, about 1 1/2 hours.

    wings on a wire baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Uncover the wings, increase the oven temperature to 450 F, and roast them until the skin becomes firm and crisp, about 15 more minutes.

    uncover wings and cook until crispy

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Meanwhile make the sauce: Melt a stick of butter in a pan on medium heat. Add hot sauce. Transfer the sauce to a large bowl.

    make buffalo wing sauce on stove top

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Take the wings from the oven and toss them with the sauce in the bowl. Serve wings with blue cheese or ranch dressing, carrot and celery sticks. Enjoy!

    toss wings in sauce to serve, Buffalo Turkey Wings

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga