Deep Fried Turkey is extremely moist and tender, with a crispy, golden brown skin. Every year more backyard cooks deep fry a Thanksgiving turkey. In the next few weeks, this will be one of the most searched for Thanksgiving recipes on the internet. Alton Brown of The Food Network explains in his video how deep frying a turkey is delicious and easy, provided you follow the directions. Despite the fact that deep fried turkey is cooked in 4-5 gallons of oil, the turkey is not greasy.
Deep Fry Turkey Kits
Because of its recent popularity, moist, tender turkey deep fried turkey is getting a lot of attention. Complete kits can be purchased in just about any hardware store, Walmart, or other big department stores, and online. The kit includes everything you need to deep fry a turkey, except the bird, oil and propane. These items will have to purchased elsewhere. Prices range from $30.00-$125.00 depending on the quality, accessories included and where you buy the kit from. Check around for the best prices before you buy.
Deep Frying a Turkey Warnings and Suggestions
- Each year there are more injuries and fires because backyard cooks do not following instructions and practice safe frying methods. Make sure to read the instructions that come with the fryer. Exercise common sense.
- Never deep fry a turkey indoors. Do not fry it in the house, garage, patio - never in any covered enclosure.
- Always deep fry outdoors, preferably in a grassy area. Concrete and tar stain and get slick if hot oil is spilled.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher handy whenever working with flammable liquids and open flames.
- Have everything assembled and ready on a nearby table so you won't have to leave the frying turkey.
- This is very important! Never leave the hot pot unattended. Keep children and small animals away from the area.
What You Need to Deep Fry a Turkey
- 12-15 pound turkey
- 30-50 quart stock pot with cover and basket for lifting turkey frying hardware
- Propane gas tank and burner
- Candy or deep fry thermometer
- Meat thermometer to check inside temperature
- Oven mitts and pot holders
- 4-6 gallons vegetable cooking oil - corn, canola or peanut oil are good
Preparing the Turkey for Deep Frying
- Check to determine how much oil is needed, by first placing the bird in the pot and measuring how much water it takes to cover the turkey completely.
- Take out all the innards of the turkey and set aside for gravy making.
- Do not stuff a turkey if you intend to deep fry it. Stuffing and dressing is messy, and doesn't allow the turkey to cook to the proper temperature.
- If you want to season, marinate or brine the turkey, this must be done before you deep fry the turkey. There are plenty of recipes and ideas on the internet to choose from.
- Put the turkey on the hook or basket, or whatever the turkey kit came with, and follow their directions for deep frying.
- Because you're working with raw poultry, make sure to wash your hands frequently.
Deep Frying Your Turkey
- Put the pot of oil on the cooker and turn the flame on high. Bring the oil temperature to 350°F degrees. Make sure the turkey is totally dry and completely thawed out before dropping into the hot oil. Turn off the burner just before you lower the turkey into the hot oil. Once the turkey is submerged in the hot oil, turn the heat back on high.
- Estimate between 3-4 minutes per pound to cook with large turkeys. Remove turkey carefully, and check the temperature with a meat or candy thermometer. The temperature should reach 165°F to 170°F in the breast and 175°F to 180°F in the thigh. Alton Brown says to fry to 151° because the bird will continue cooking once it is taken out of the oil. This will take approximately 45-60 minutes for a full size turkey.
- Turn off the fryer, and very carefully remove the turkey from the hot oil and let it hang to finish dripping. Put the lid back on the pot and leave it to cool. This may seem counterproductive, but it should not be left open and unattended while you go inside and have your turkey. The delicious aroma of cooked turkey will tempt small animals to come looking for a meaty snack and tip the hot oil over onto themselves.
- Dispose of the oil properly after it is completely cool.
Make sure to watch Alton Brown's How to Deep Fry a Turkey for the Holidays for complete How-To instructions.
Part II Alton Brown's Video
Part III Alton Brown's Video
Disclaimer: Nervous about deep frying a brined turkey? Don't be. If you follow the guidelines, a deep fried brined turkey is perfectly safe. Just to be sure, we called the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line (1-800-288-8372) and talked to a trained Butterball expert. They assured us as long as you follow the instructions — Don't deep fry any turkey larger than 12-14 pounds; Make sure the turkey is completely patted dry before lowering into the oil — it should be fine. Also, be sure to watch ALL three Alton Brown's Brining and Deep Frying Videos for complete How-To instructions.
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