Learn the Right Way to Deep Fry Turkey

Summary

• Get a fryer big enough for your turkey, 30 quarts for 14-pound bird.
• Safety first: only fry on concrete, check oil capacity, remove all flammables.
• Prepare the bird by thawing, seasoning, and frying at 350 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes per pound.

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in deep-fried turkey for two great reasons: the increased availability of specially made home turkey fryers and the appeal of this traditional bird with a crusty twist. If you're ready to try deep-frying your own turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, you want to plan ahead and prepare so you end up with a perfect bird.

Frying a bird at home can be a challenging task requiring special safety precautions and temperature monitoring that’s not typical with an oven-baked bird, but with just a small investment of time and effort, you will enjoy the payoff of a tasty turkey seared crisp on the outside while being moist, juicy and delicious on the inside.

1 Get the Right Fryer for Your Turkey

The fryer must be more than big enough for the Thanksgiving turkey

First things first: invest in a quality deep fryer for your deep-fried turkey. Most of the turkey fryers on the market are either electric models or come with a propane tank. There’s no difference in how well or how quickly they cook the bird, so choose based on your personal preference.

The key to selecting your fryer is the size. You’ll want to make sure it can accommodate the size of bird you have in mind. The ideal fryer will let your turkey fit in with ample space on all sides and at the top to account for oil displacement once the bird is dropped in.

A deep fryer capable of holding 30 quarts is recommended for turkeys up to 14 pounds in size. Many experts say that turkeys over 14 pounds should not be deep-fried. However, if you want to deep-fry a very large bird, scale your fryer size up accordingly.

You’ll need roughly 3 gallons of oil for a 12-pound turkey, and peanut oil is the best for this task. It doesn’t break down the way vegetable or corn oils do, enabling it to maintain temperature better and ensure an evenly cooked turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. If you want to reuse the oil, make sure you know how many times you can reuse it.

2 Take Some Safety Precautions

Do these things before you drop your turkey in hot oil

Before you start cooking your deep-fried turkey, make sure to apply all safety tips! Because you’ll be placing a large bird into a big cooker full of oil, it’s best that you not fry a turkey on a deck or any other surface that could catch fire if the oil boils over. A concrete floor is ideal, so a clean garage, driveway, or unfinished basement could work for frying your turkey. There are several things you should do to ensure a safe frying experience.

Before you fill the fryer with oil or put the turkey inside, test its capacity and learn how much oil you will need in order to fully submerge the turkey so it can cook properly and become the main attraction of a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.

• Fill the fryer with water, stopping about 3 inches from the top.
• Place the thawed turkey inside.
• Watch the water level.
• Remove water until the top of the turkey is just covered by about ½ inch of water.
• Remove the turkey.
• Note the water level.
• Use chalk or tape to mark the outside of the fryer, indicating where the top of the water is.
• Drain the water, dry out the fryer, and fill with oil up to the mark you made.

Remove everything around the fryer. All potted plants, patio furniture, outdoor rugs, and other items that can be moved should be moved. Whenever possible, nothing should be within a 3-foot radius of the hot oil. That includes people and pets! You also want to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to use it and make sure it works and just keep it handy at all times while making your deep-fried turkey.

3 Get Your Turkey Ready for Frying

Prep the bird and it will cook up beautifully

Preparing the turkey is as important as frying it well. First, make sure the turkey is not frozen. It has to be completely thawed before you prepare it. You can also buy fresh turkey that is not frozen. There is a good reason for this. Turkeys that have even one small frozen area can cause a dangerous and violent reaction. When hot oil meets frozen water, you can end up with an explosive effect that causes hot oil to splash and pop, which is a huge fire hazard and a safety risk to all people and items in the area.

• Several hours or one day before frying the turkey, cover it lightly with salt and pepper, along with any herbs and spices you like. You want to get spices inside the bird as well. Good seasoning is key to a good Thanksgiving dinner!
• Trim the neck skin as needed to remove excess and to widen the neck hole as needed. The neck should be at least 2 inches in diameter to allow the oil to reach these crucial inner areas of the bird.
• Heat the oil before placing the bird inside. Oil should reach 350 degrees F before you begin to cook your deep-fried turkey.

4 Deep Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Fry up a turkey like a pro

Once the oil reaches the right temperature and your bird is prepped and ready, along with the frying area, carefully place your turkey in the fryer basket and very slowly lower it into the oil. Wear an oven mitt with wrist and arm protection, along with safety glasses, in case any oil pops! You want roughly 2 inches of clear space at the top of the fryer to minimize the chance of boiling or oil spills when deep-frying a turkey.

Typically, turkeys take three to four minutes per pound to fry. The deep-fried turkey meat should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F at a minimum to be considered cooked. Stick an instant meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat in order to check this, but be very cautious when you are near the fryer.

5 Finish and Serve Thanksgiving Dinner

Time to show off your tasty turkey

When the meat has reached the right temperature and the juices of the turkey are running clear when it's been poked, wear mitts to carefully lift the basket from the fryer. Stand there a few moments, while staying as far back from the fryer as you can, as the turkey drains. Place the basket on a large roasting pan covered in paper towels, then carefully remove the basket and leave the bird resting here.

You want to let the turkey rest for about 30 minutes, allowing the oil to drain and the meat to cool.

The frying process locks the juices inside the turkey, making it distinctly moist with a crispy outer skin. Set one on your Thanksgiving table and watch your guests gobble it up!

Serving Up a Memorable Thanksgiving Dinner

Follow the safety precautions and respect the fryer at all times to make your Thanksgiving dinner a success!

Turkey's meat is rich in proteins and is extremely tasty. It is considered a staple of Thanksgiving and the deep-fried turkey trend has only helped make the classic bird even more popular. Learn how to properly and safely deep-fry a turkey to deliver a memorable meal.

Frying is quicker than oven roasting, but it is more dangerous. Follow the safety precautions and respect the fryer at all times to make your Thanksgiving dinner a success!