In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes capture the essence of both flavor and spectacle quite like a deep-fried turkey. This delectable dish, often prepared with reverence during special occasions or gatherings, has gained widespread popularity for its succulent meat, crispy skin, and undeniably satisfying crunch. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on this culinary adventure promises an unforgettable experience. Our comprehensive guide will lead you step-by-step through the process of creating the ultimate deep-fried turkey, ensuring that your taste buds are tantalized and your guests are left in awe.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY
This is an awesome Cajun recipe. Deep-frying makes the turkey crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside (even the white meat). It also leaves the heat outside! You can deep-fry the turkey in either peanut or vegetable oil, your choice. We use a 26 quart aluminum pot with a drain basket.
Provided by Tim and Meredith
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Turkey Whole Turkey Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- In a large stockpot or turkey fryer, heat oil to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Be sure to leave room for the turkey, or the oil will spill over. Layer a large platter with food-safe paper bags.
- Rinse turkey, and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Rub Creole seasoning over turkey inside and out. Make sure the hole at the neck is open at least 2 inches so the oil can flow freely through the bird.
- Place the whole onion and turkey in drain basket. The turkey should be placed in basket neck end first. Slowly lower basket into hot oil to completely cover turkey. Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 45 minutes.
- Carefully remove basket from oil, and drain turkey. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Finish draining turkey on the prepared platter.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 603.2 calories, Carbohydrate 1.5 g, Cholesterol 228.5 mg, Fat 33.6 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 68.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 571.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: salt, brown sugar, boiling water, ice, cold water, turkey, peanut oil, oven mitt, propane burner, deep fry thermometer, large pot, basket, s hook with handle
Provided by Tasty
Categories Dinner
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- DISCLAIMER: Deep frying a turkey can be dangerous if not done properly.
- Determine the amount of oil you will need before you start. This turkey and pot required 4 ½ gallons (17 liter) of peanut oil, you may need more or less.
- To determine the correct amount, place the turkey in the pot you will be using to fry. Fill it with water until it has just covered your turkey, that water level should also be at least 5 inches (13 cm) below the rim of your pot. Remove the turkey and see where the water levels off, this is the amount of oil you will need to fry the turkey. If the oil level is NOT 5 inches (13 cm) below the rim of your pot, use a taller pot. If too much oil is used, it will spill over when the turkey is lowered and cause a fire. If you like, as a precaution, turn off the propane burner before you add the turkey to the hot oil.
- In a large pot, container or cooler with a lid, combine salt, brown sugar and boiling water to make the brine.
- Once the salt and brown sugar have dissolved, cool down with ice.
- Place your turkey into the brine mixture, add more cold water to cover your turkey entirely. Weight down the turkey with something heavy and cover.
- Place the turkey in a cool place or refrigerator and let it brine for 8-16 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine, discard the brine. Pat dry the turkey. Make sure it's entirely dry inside and out, border on very dry.
- Let it sit at room temp for 30 minutes prior to frying.
- While the turkey is coming to room temp, prepare your deep frying pot. The pot should be large enough to hold the turkey, oil and have enough room to contain the oil once it starts bubbling (recommend 30 quart/ 28-liter pot).
- NOTE: Make sure the deep frying pot is clean and dry, any moisture in the pot will make the oil pop when it starts heating up.
- Pour the peanut oil into the pot. You should have enough oil to just cover the turkey. Set over high heat on an outside propane burner. Bring the temperature of the oil to 350°F (180°C).
- While the oil is heating up, prepare your turkey to submerge into the oil.
- If you are using a turkey deep frying kit, use all the equipment provided (i.e. hook/basket, s-hook, retrieval handle). If not, take a stainless steel kitchen utensil with a wide bottom, long handle and looped top. Take the kitchen utensil and push the handle through the neck of the turkey. You want the wide part of the utensil to rest inside the turkey cavity. Take an s-hook with a handle attachment and loop it through the loop part of the kitchen utensil.
- Wipe down the turkey again to make sure there is no moisture. Turkey is ready.
- Once the temperature of the oil has reached 350°F (180°C), slowly and gently lower the turkey into the oil. SLOWLY AND GENTLY.
- Fry the turkey for 3 minutes per pound (455 grams). For a 15 lb (6.8 kg) turkey, this will take 45 minutes. Make sure the oil temp is maintained at 350°F (180°C).
- After 45 minutes, turn off your propane burner and then gently remove the turkey from the oil.
- Place the turkey on a large baking sheet or carving board and check the temperature. Right out of the fryer, the breast meat should be at 150°F (65°C) and will reach 160°F (70°C) due to carry over cooking.
- Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving.
- NOTE: Oil will be hot for a few hours after frying. Do not touch or dispose of until fully cooled.
- Carve as desired.
- Nutrition Calories: 16381 Fat: 1761 grams Carbs: 55 grams Fiber: 0 grams Sugars: 54 grams Protein: 137 grams
- Enjoy!
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY
Deep-frying a turkey might seem daunting, but if you follow the instructions and safety tips carefully, it can be a lot of fun and you can free up the stove and oven for all of those tasty Thanksgiving sides. If you're buying a turkey fryer to make this, look for a kit with a pot that has a spigot at the bottom to drain out the oil - a small but important detail that will make your clean up much easier and faster.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- To determine how much oil you will need for frying, set your turkey (still in the plastic) in your frying pot, legs up. Measure and add enough water just to cover the turkey. (There should be at least 6 inches between the water line and the top of the pot to fry safely.) Remove the turkey and water and dry the pot very well.
- Combine the butter, broth, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over very low heat and cook until the garlic softens, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and let cool completely. Strain; reserve the liquid and discard the solids.
- One hour before you are ready to cook, take the turkey out of the refrigerator and remove the neck and giblets. Pat the turkey very dry, inside and out. If there is a pop-up timer, remove and discard. Use an injector syringe to inject the butter mixture into the turkey, 4 or 5 places in each breast and 2 or 3 in each leg and thigh. (Inject as deep into the flesh as you can.) Pat dry if any of the mixture leaks out. Season the turkey inside and out with 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper and rub it in well.
- Add the oil to the frying pot and heat to 350˚ F (if using a propane fryer, heat over medium). It should take 45 minutes to 1 hour to heat the oil. Once the oil reaches 350˚ F, using protective gloves, slowly lower the turkey into the fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- The oil temperature will drop 30˚ F to 40˚ F almost immediately. Adjust the heat so the temperature stays between 300˚ F and 325˚ F the whole time you are frying. Fry 3 minutes per pound. When the turkey is done, turn off the fryer. Using the gloves and the lifting rack, carefully remove the turkey from the oil to a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; it should register 155˚ F. Let the turkey rest 20 to 30 minutes before removing from the rack and carving (the internal temperature will increase about 10˚ F). Make sure the frying oil cools completely before discarding, at least 4 hours.
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY
Skip the oven and try Alton Brown's Deep-Fried Turkey recipe from Good Eats on Food Network. Start with a brown sugar brine for the most-succulent bird.
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories main-dish
Time 10h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the hot water, kosher salt and brown sugar into a 5-gallon upright drink cooler and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. Add the ice and stir until the mixture is cool. Gently lower the turkey into the container. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure that it is fully immersed in the brine. Cover and set in a cool dry place for 8 to 16 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Place the oil into a 28 to 30-quart pot and set over high heat on an outside propane burner with a sturdy structure. Bring the temperature of the oil to 250 degrees F. Once the temperature has reached 250, slowly lower the bird into the oil and bring the temperature to 350 degrees F. Once it has reached 350, lower the heat in order to maintain 350 degrees F. After 35 minutes, check the temperature of the turkey using a probe thermometer. Once the breast reaches 151 degrees F, gently remove from the oil and allow to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to carving. The bird will reach an internal temperature of 161 degrees F due to carry over cooking. Carve as desired.
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY
This deep-fried turkey recipe will score you many oohs and aahs this Thanksgiving. It perfectly balances a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful. Here's our take on how to deep-fry a turkey. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h15m
Yield 16 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine first 6 ingredients. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey; rub salt mixture under skin, inside cavity and over outside of turkey. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together. Refrigerate 18-24 hours. Add oil to turkey deep fryer; preheat oil to 275°. Allow turkey to stand at room temperature while oil is preheating. Place turkey on deep fry rack, breast side down. Turn burner off; carefully lower turkey into oil. Turn burner on high and heat to 350°. Adjust heat to maintain 350°. Cook turkey until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, (about 35-45 minutes total time in fryer). Remove turkey from oil; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 589 calories, Fat 44g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 154mg cholesterol, Sodium 589mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 45g protein.
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY
As every politician since Huey Long -- or possibly Madison himself -- has said, ''We can do better.'' And in Louisiana, they have, by doing the unthinkable: deep-frying an entire turkey in a bubbling vat of peanut oil or lard. The result is delicious, surprisingly ungreasy and fast. (A 14-pounder cooks in 49 minutes -- 49 minutes!) I've made five of these things, and comments have ranged from ''This is the best turkey I've ever eaten!'' to ''This is the best turkey I've ever eaten!'' with nary a discouraging word. Deep-frying must be done outside, which means you will need a propane tank. In New York City it is illegal to cook with propane gas except in large gardens or outdoor spaces of single-family dwellings. It should work fine in a yard, where your fryer can double as a defensive weapon in case of intruders scaling your wall. In case the oil overflows, place a large bowl and a ladle next to the pot. Also, just before lowering the bird into the oil, and again just before taking it out a scant 49 minutes -- 49 minutes! -- later, turn the flame off for the same reason.
Provided by Jonathan Reynolds
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h40m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Eight to 24 hours in advance, make the brine by sauteing onion, celery and garlic in butter until tender. Add hot peppers and Worcestershire, then stir in the salt, cayenne and black pepper. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Strain into a bowl, pressing the solids to extract as much juice as possible, to yield about 1 1/2 cups.
- With monster hypodermic, inject the turkey's breast in five places and each leg in one place.
- With your bare hands, rub the cayenne into the turkey's breast under the skin. Omit if you don't like the flavor -- though it's very mild in this quantity.
- Refrigerate, uncovered, for 8 to 24 hours. Or if you prefer, you may fry the bird immediately.
- On the day you plan to eat it, remove the turkey from the refrigerator, place it in the empty fryer pot and cover with water. Then empty the pot, measuring the water to find out how much oil you'll need (usually about 5 gallons for a 14 pounder).
- Dry the pot very thoroughly and fill it with the same amount of oil or lard, attach the extra-long thermometer and heat the oil to 350 to 375 degrees. Just before lowering the bird, turn off the flame to make absolutely sure that Mr. Peanut's essence won't start a fire. Then pierce the turkey with its holder and lower slowly into the oil. Boil for 49 minutes or longer (3 to 3 1/2 minutes per pound).
- Remove the turkey, drain excess oil and rest it on a platter for 10 to 30 minutes. Slice and dive in!
SIMPLE DEEP FRIED TURKEY
If you like a more traditional tasting turkey, this is the one for you. No injecting, no marinades, no complicated rubs.
Provided by sgtsquarepants
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Turkey Whole Turkey Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large stockpot or turkey fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure the fryer is located outdoors in a safe area, preferably on dirt or pavement, and far away from buildings, wooden decks, or other objects. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.
- Ensure that the turkey is completely thawed. Cut any extra skin away from the neck area and make sure neck hole is at least an inch in diameter. Pat the bird completely dry with paper towels, then rub liberally with salt and pepper on both the outside and the inside. Place the turkey into a drain basket, neck-side first.
- Working slowly and carefully, gently lower the basket into the hot oil to completely cover the turkey. Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 35 minutes.
- Carefully remove basket from oil, and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Once the turkey is done, remove from the oil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 568 calories, Carbohydrate 0.3 g, Cholesterol 223.5 mg, Fat 26.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 76.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 768.1 mg
JIVE TURKEY DEEP-FRIED TURKEY
Provided by Aricka Westbrooks
Categories turkey Thanksgiving Dinner Deep-Fry Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oil to 350°F.
- 2. Completely thaw the turkey. Remove giblets and neck, reserve for other uses. If present, remove and discard any plastic pieces such as leg holder and pop-up timer. Rinse turkey well with cold water; drain cavity. Dry turkey completely with paper towels. Generously rub the front and back of the outside of the turkey with the dry rub. Separate the skin covering the breast and insert dry rub under the skin. Pull the neck skin to the back and twist wing tips to the back, holding the skin in place. Tuck the legs under the band of skin or tie legs to tail with cotton string or butcher's twine.
- 3. Place the turkey breast side down on an upright stand designed for poultry frying. Wearing protective gloves or heavy oven mitts and using a hook or tong to hold the bird away from you, very slowly lower the turkey into hot oil. Be cautious of splattering oil. Maintain oil temperature at around 350°F. Fry turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound. Slowly lift from oil and place on a metal sheet pan or tray. Use caution, as hot oil will drain from the bird. Check for doneness. Insert an instant-read thermometer in the center of the breast; it is considered done when thermometer reads 170°F or above. Let rest for 15 minutes. Carefully carve with a sharp knife.
Tips:
- Choose the right turkey: Select a fresh or thawed turkey that weighs between 10 and 14 pounds. Avoid frozen turkeys, as they can be difficult to fry evenly.
- Brine the turkey: Brining the turkey in a solution of water, salt, and spices helps to keep it moist and flavorful during frying. Brine the turkey for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- Use a large pot: Choose a pot that is large enough to hold the turkey and enough oil to cover it completely. A 12-quart pot is a good size for a 10- to 14-pound turkey.
- Heat the oil slowly: Heat the oil slowly over medium heat to prevent it from splattering. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil. The oil should be between 350°F and 375°F before adding the turkey.
- Fry the turkey carefully: Carefully lower the turkey into the hot oil. Use a large spoon or tongs to keep the turkey submerged in the oil. Fry the turkey for 3-4 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest: After frying, remove the turkey from the oil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the turkey.
Conclusion:
Deep-fried turkey is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for special occasions. By following these tips, you can ensure that your deep-fried turkey turns out perfectly crispy and juicy. So, gather your ingredients, heat up your oil, and get ready to enjoy a delicious deep-fried turkey!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love