BBQ Beautiful Smoked then Fried Turkey Hearts
Includes recipes for smoky chipotle honey glaze and tangy garlic aioli!
Serves: 4 | Cook time: 2 hrs (including smoke & fry)
Ingredients
· 1 lb fresh turkey hearts, cleaned and trimmed
· 2 tbsp olive oil
· 2 tbsp kosher salt
· 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
· 1 tsp smoked paprika
· 1 tsp garlic powder
· ½ tsp cayenne pepper
· 1 cup buttermilk
· 1 cup all-purpose flour
· 1 tsp onion powder
· 1 tsp dried thyme
· Vegetable oil, for frying
· Fresh lemon wedges, for serving
· Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Prep & Smoke the Hearts
· Pat turkey hearts dry.
· Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.
· Preheat smoker to 225°F using apple or hickory wood for a mild, sweet smoke.
· Smoke hearts for 1 to 1¼ hours until internal temp reaches 140°F (hearts are best medium, not overcooked).
· Remove and let rest 10 min.
2. Slice & Marinate
· Slice smoked hearts into bite-sized pieces or strips.
· Soak in buttermilk for 30 min (this tenderizes and adds tang).
3. Coat & Fry
· In a shallow bowl, mix flour, onion powder, dried thyme, and a pinch of salt.
· Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F.
· Dredge heart pieces in flour mixture, shake off excess.
· Fry in batches for 3–4 min until golden brown and crispy.
· Drain on paper towels.
4. Serve
· Toss fried turkey hearts with a little fresh cracked pepper and sprinkle chopped parsley.
· Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
BBQ Beautiful Twist: For extra zing, toss finished hearts in a smoky chipotle honey glaze or serve with a side of tangy garlic aioli.
Smoky Chipotle Honey Glaze
Yields: ½ cup | Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients
· ¼ cup honey
· 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo, finely minced (plus 1 tsp adobo sauce)
· 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
· 1 tbsp unsalted butter
· 1 tsp smoked paprika
· ½ tsp garlic powder
· Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
2. Add minced chipotle peppers and adobo sauce; sauté 1–2 minutes to release smoky heat.
3. Stir in honey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
4. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly.
5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before drizzling or tossing with fried turkey hearts.
Tangy Garlic Aioli
Yields: ¾ cup | Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients
· ½ cup mayonnaise
· 1 large garlic clove, finely minced or grated
· 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
· 1 tsp Dijon mustard
· 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
· ¼ tsp smoked paprika
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
2. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
3. Stir in smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
BBQ Beautiful Tip: Serve both sauces side-by-side so guests can mix, match, and dip — that smoky sweet glaze with a punch of chipotle heat, and the creamy, tangy garlic aioli for cooling balance.
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