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Lemon Sesame Chicken Wings

Barbecued chicken wings are quintessential party food, and that’s whether it’s for a cocktail party, or a Super Bowl party, or a Fourth of July cookout. These Lemon Sesame Chicken Wings were inspired by a trip to Australia, where grill masters freely mix Asian ingredients like soy sauce and sesame oil, with European ingredients, like mustard and smoked beer.

 

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Lemon Sesame Chicken Wings

Recipe Notes

  • Yield: Serves 4 as a starter
  • Method: Hot-smoking
  • Equipment: 2 cups smoking wood chips or chunks, soaked in water to cover for 1 hour, then drained

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chicken wings, preferably organic

For the marinade:

  • 1/2 cup toasted (Asian) sesame oil
  • The grated zest and juice of 2 lemons (about 1/3 cup juice)
  • 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup smoked beer or dark beer
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Smoky Beer Barbecue Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 3 shallots, minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 2 jalapeño chiles, minced (for a milder sauce, remove the seeds)
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup smoked beer or dark beer
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup water, or as needed

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, for serving

Recipe Steps

Step 1: Wash the wings and blot dry. Cut the wings into 3 sections through the joints. Scrape the meat from one end of the drumette section to the other to make a mini drumstick. Cut one end off the flat section. Remove the slenderest of the bones and scrape down the meat to make a mini drumstick. Discard the wing tip or freeze it for chicken stock.

Step 2: Place the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the chicken wings, turning to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. (Alternatively, put the marinade and chicken wings in a large resealable plastic bag.)

Step 3: Prepare the Smoky Beer Barbecue Sauce: Heat the 3 tablespoons of peanut oil in a saucepan. Cook the shallots, ginger, and jalapeño over medium heat until lightly browned, 3 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Stir in the ketchup, beer, lemon zest and juice, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, mustard, and water. Reduce the heat and gently simmer the sauce until thick and richly flavored, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste: the sauce should be highly seasoned.

Step 4: Set up your grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium (350 degrees F). Brush and oil the grill grate. (Wings have a tendency to stick.)

Step 5: Arrange the wings on the grill away from the heat. Add wood chunks or chips to the coals. Smoke-roast the wings until the skin is crisp and brown and the meat is cooked through to the bone (make a little slit to check), 30 to 40 minutes, or as needed. Start brushing the wings with the Smoky Beer Barbecue Sauce the last 5 minutes. Transfer the wings to a platter and brush with sauce again. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.

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