The term “trashed wings” refers to chicken wings that are oversauced or drenched in sauce to the point that the breading falls off. Trashed wings are a popular food item, especially at bars and restaurants that serve chicken wings. The term likely originated from the “messy” appearance of trashed wings, with the breading slipping off from too much sauce. Despite the messy name, trashed wings remain a favorite way to enjoy chicken wings for many people.
What are chicken wings?
Chicken wings are a popular appetizer or snack made from the wings of chickens. The wings are broken down into three segments – the drumette, the flat, and the wing tip. Chicken wings are prepared in a variety of ways, most popularly being fried or baked. Some of the common flavors and preparation methods for chicken wings include:
- Fried – The raw chicken wings are seasoned, dredged in flour or batter, then deep fried resulting in a crispy coating.
- Baked – Wings are seasoned and baked in the oven, sometimes coated in breadcrumbs or flour.
- Sauced – After frying or baking, the wings are tossed or coated in sauce.
- Dry Rubs – Wings are seasoned with dry spice rubs and baked or fried without sauce.
- Buffalo Wings – Fried wings coated in a spicy cayenne pepper hot sauce, often served with blue cheese dressing.
- BBQ Wings – Baked or fried wings coated in a sticky, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
Chicken wings make a great party food or appetizer because they are easy to eat with your fingers. The small size makes them perfect for snacking and sharing. They also come already portioned into drumettes and flats, so they are easy to share. The variety of flavors from different sauces and dry rubs make chicken wings a versatile appetizer.
What does it mean when wings are “trashed”?
When chicken wings are described as “trashed,” it means the wings are completely drenched and overloaded with sauce. The breading has become soggy and slippery from excess sauce to the point that it falls off the wings entirely, leaving a messy naked wing behind.
Some key signs that wings have been over-sauced and are “trashed” include:
- The breading or batter has largely detached from the wing.
- There is more sauce pooling below the wings than actually clinging to the wings.
- Sauce completely coats every inch of the wing, leaving no section of breading exposed.
- The wings appear wet, shiny, and slimy from sauce overload.
With trashed wings, you often have to eat the skinless chicken with a fork because the breading will not stay on when picked up with your fingers. The overabundance of sauce on trashed wings leads to the messy, slippery appearance that gives them their name.
Why do people like trashed wings?
While trashed wings may sound unappealing to some, they have become popular for several reasons:
- More flavor – Drenching the wings in extra sauce infuses the chicken with bolder, more intense flavor.
- Mess factor – The saucy wings have a fun, messy factor that some people enjoy.
- Sauce lovers – For serious sauce fans, you can never have enough sauce on your wings.
- Cheap eats – Trashed wings are popular at bars/pubs since oversaucing is an inexpensive way to pump up cheap wings.
- Drunk food – The messiness pairs well with the uninhibited enjoyment of drinking and late night snacking.
For serious chicken wing enthusiasts, getting a pile of perfectly fried, sauced, and trashed wings can be the ultimate indulgence and feast. The excess of sauce lets you really soak up the flavors you love.
How are trashed wings made?
While any style of chicken wing can become “trashed” when over-sauced, there are some preparation methods that lend themselves to creating perfectly trashed wings:
Deep Frying
Many places start with deep fried wings. The crispy, oily coating helps the sauce cling and absorb even more. Fried wings tend to become the most “trashed.”
Battering
Some restaurants double-coat the wings, dredging them in batter and breadcrumbs rather than a light dusting of flour. The thick batter helps adhere more sauce.
Saucing Methods
Some common saucing techniques that help create trashed wings include:
- Thick, sticky sauces – BBQ sauce, teriyaki, sweet chili glazes
- Par-frying then saucing – Frying the wings briefly then tossing in sauce helps it stick.
- Double dipping – Sauce the wings then re-fry them for an extra coat of sauce.
- Overloading the sauce – Pouring cups of sauce over a small order of wings.
Sauces for Trashed Wings
Some popular sauces used for trashed wings include:
- Buffalo – Vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce
- BBQ – Sweet, sticky tomato-based barbecue sauce
- Teriyaki – Salty, sticky Japanese soy glaze
- Sweet Chili – Gooey spicy-sweet Thai-inspired sauce
- Garlic Parmesan – Buttery garlic sauce with grated parmesan
- Honey Mustard – Sweet creamy mustard flavored sauce
- Mango Habanero – Fruity, spicy, and a little tangy
Where to find trashed wings
Trashed wings have become a popular menu item at many bars, pubs, late night restaurants, and chicken wing chains. Some places known for serving up deliciously trashed wings include:
- Sports bars & pubs – These casual restaurants often focus on big portions and cheap food and drinks.
- Pizza places – Chicken wings are a popular side item at pizza joints.
- Wingstop – This chicken wing chain lets you pick extra wet or sauce-drenched flavors.
- Buffalo Wild Wings – While not all their wings are trashed, you can request extra sauce.
- Local dive bars – Hole-in-the-wall bars will often serve up cheap but delicious trashed wings.
- Nightclubs – Late night party-goers appreciate messy, indulgent drunk snacks.
The saucier and messier, the better – that’s the mantra for places that have become known for their perfectly trashed chicken wings.
How to order trashed wings
If you love extra saucy chicken wings, here are some tips for ordering the best trashed wings at your local restaurants:
- Ask for extra sauce or sauce on the side – That way you control just how trashed you want them.
- Request wings to be double-dipped or fried twice.
- Choose thicker, stickier sauces like BBQ or teriyaki.
- For milder sauces, ask for them to be heavily coated.
- Order the boneless wings. The lack of bones allows more surface for sauce.
- Pick small or medium wings. More surface area to soak up sauce.
- Try places known for saucing up their wings.
The most foolproof way is to simply ask your server to make your wings as saucy and trashed as possible. Just don’t forget those extra napkins!
Tips for eating trashed wings
Trashed wings live up to their messy name, but you can still enjoy them without wearing quite as much sauce. Some tips for tackling overly sauced wings include:
- Use plenty of napkins
- Have wet wipes handy to clean your hands
- Pour extra sauce over fries, rice, or to use for dipping.
- Embrace the mess! Don’t wear anything you want to keep pristine.
- Lick your fingers clean between wings.
- Use a fork and knife for the messiest wings.
- Let any breading that falls off drain on a napkin.
- Pour a tall beer to wash it all down.
The most important thing is to have fun and indulge in the saucy goodness. The mess comes with the territory of trashed wings.
Are trashed wings bad for you?
While trashed chicken wings make an indulgent, delicious treat, the extra sauce and fat does make them a more calorie and cholesterol-heavy food:
- High in calories – Wings can have around 100 calories each, extra sauce adds even more.
- High in fat – All that oil and sauce adds plenty of saturated and trans fats.
- High in sodium – Sauces and seasonings pack on the salt.
- May contain preservatives – Store-bought sauces often have preservatives.
However, consumed in moderation, trashed wings can still be part of an overall balanced diet. Some tips for healthier trashed wings include:
- Opt for baked not fried.
- Use lighter sauces like vinegar-based hot sauce.
- Choose a small order of wings.
- Eat with sliced veggies for dipping in the extra sauce.
- Pair with a fresh side salad.
- Have wings only as an occasional treat.
While they make an indulgent meal, trashed wings are still a delicious food when enjoyed in reasonable portions and as part of an overall healthy diet. The messiness can be worth it!
Conclusion
Trashed wings fully live up to their messy name by being chicken wings overloaded and dripping with sauce. The excessive sauce leads to wings so wet and saucy that the coating slips right off. While they may sound distasteful to some, trashed wings have become a popular indulgent food item, especially as an appetizer at bars and restaurants. Fans love the bold flavors and fun, shareable messiness that trashed wings bring to the table. As long as you’ve got plenty of napkins on hand, don’t be afraid to order wings trashed with extra sauce for a delicious, finger-licking feast. Moderation is key for keeping trashed wings as an occasional treat in an overall balanced diet. So next time you’re craving saucy, sauce-drenched chicken wings, go ahead and order them trashed!