Cold Wings Appetizers
Steam and chill soy-ginger wings for an easy cold appetizer. Safety, storage, and flavor swap tips to prep ahead and serve chilled.
I was looking for a way to make wings ahead of time so they could be served cold. Steaming and chilling works much better than frying.
Submitted by: Mabel from Chicago, IL
Yield: 8
- Steam wings instead of frying to make a better cold appetizer with less grease.
- Use a two-step approach: marinate, steam until safe temperature, then toss in the second sauce and chill.
- Follow food safety rules: cook to 165 F, cool quickly, and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
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Preparation Instructions:
In a plastic bag, combine vegetable oil, ginger, hot sauce and half of the soy sauce. Coat wings in the marinade and marinate at room temeprature for at least an hour. Drain and steam the wings on a greased rack for 15 minutes. In another plastic bag, mix the rest of the soy sauce with the crushed red pepper. Remove the wings from the steam rack and add to the new mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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More About This Recipe
For the first marinade, use fish sauce instead of soy sauce. It gives a great flavor without the color. If you are substituting with fish sauce, try to use dark soy sauce for the second marinade to give the wings a final dark color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these wings ahead and serve them cold?
Yes. Steam the wings until they reach 165 F inside, toss them in the second marinade, cool quickly, and refrigerate. They are designed to be served cold and will keep flavor after chilling.
Is steaming safe and enough to cook the wings?
Steaming is safe when the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C). The recipe suggests about 15 minutes, but cooking time varies by wing size and steam intensity. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
How long can I store the prepared wings in the refrigerator?
Store cooked and chilled wings in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking to reduce food safety risk.
Can I freeze the wings after cooking?
Yes. Cool completely, pack in airtight freezer bags or containers, and freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving or reheating. Texture may soften slightly after freezing.
Do I have to marinate at room temperature like the recipe says?
For food safety, it is better to marinate chicken in the refrigerator. Short room temperature marinating is common in some recipes, but avoid leaving raw chicken out for longer than two hours. Refrigerate if marinating longer than one hour.
Can I bake or fry the wings instead of steaming?
Yes. Baking at 400 F until internal temperature is 165 F or deep frying are both options. Steaming gives a lighter texture that chills well, while frying will be greasier and may not be ideal when served cold.
What are easy substitutions for soy sauce and spice adjustments?
Use fish sauce in the first marinade for flavor without dark color, and keep dark soy sauce in the second mix for color. For gluten-free, use tamari or gluten-free soy. Reduce or omit crushed red pepper to cut the heat, or add chili flakes or hot sauce to increase it.
Can I make these wings ahead and serve them cold?
Yes. Steam the wings until they reach 165 F inside, toss them in the second marinade, cool quickly, and refrigerate. They are designed to be served cold and will keep flavor after chilling.
Is steaming safe and enough to cook the wings?
Steaming is safe when the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C). The recipe suggests about 15 minutes, but cooking time varies by wing size and steam intensity. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
How long can I store the prepared wings in the refrigerator?
Store cooked and chilled wings in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking to reduce food safety risk.
Can I freeze the wings after cooking?
Yes. Cool completely, pack in airtight freezer bags or containers, and freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving or reheating. Texture may soften slightly after freezing.
Do I have to marinate at room temperature like the recipe says?
For food safety, it is better to marinate chicken in the refrigerator. Short room temperature marinating is common in some recipes, but avoid leaving raw chicken out for longer than two hours. Refrigerate if marinating longer than one hour.
Can I bake or fry the wings instead of steaming?
Yes. Baking at 400 F until internal temperature is 165 F or deep frying are both options. Steaming gives a lighter texture that chills well, while frying will be greasier and may not be ideal when served cold.
What are easy substitutions for soy sauce and spice adjustments?
Use fish sauce in the first marinade for flavor without dark color, and keep dark soy sauce in the second mix for color. For gluten-free, use tamari or gluten-free soy. Reduce or omit crushed red pepper to cut the heat, or add chili flakes or hot sauce to increase it.
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