How To Deep-Fry Turkey

By Southern Living Editors
March 25, 2013
Oxmoor House
As with any holiday, Thanksgiving brings great debates to the kitchen. Sweet potato casserole or candied yams? Dressing or stuffing? Roasted, smoked, or fried turkey? Fried turkey is certainly the most controversial of the preparation options for your Thanksgiving bird. Our favorite Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten faithfully advises against frying your turkey each season, while some Southern families have been faithfully frying their Thanksgiving birds for decades.Obviously, the most important thing to consider when deep-frying a turkey is safety. Thanksgiving can easily be upended by a vat of boiling oil toppling over, and serious injuries can occur. With our best tips for frying a turkey, however, your family will stay safe and full this Thanksgiving. There’s no denying it: Fried turkey is absolutely mouthwatering. Houston Chef Chris Shepherd makes the case for frying turkey: “It cooks in half the time, the results are delicious, and you get a crisp skin that seals in moisture.” Get his deep-fried turkey with Creole spices recipe here.Ahead, watch Ray Lampe, also known as Dr. BBQ, teach his method for how to fry turkey and see our step-by-step photo guide to frying turkey. Whether your family is full of turkey-frying pros, or you want to try it at home for the first time, you’ve come to the right place.  
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How To Deep Fry A Turkey

It’s almost that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and Southern families are traveling to their annual meeting place for Thanksgiving. Whether you’re most looking forward to the sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, mac & cheese, or cornbread dressing, the holiday wouldn’t be the same without one main dish – turkey, of course. The bird is the star of the Thanksgiving table; we don’t call it Turkey Day for nothing! While a simple baked turkey would suffice, many folks choose to prepare the bird a few different ways. Choices galore! If any region has mastered the art of deep-frying food, it’s most certainly the South. Join Ray Lampe, a.k.a. Dr. BBQ, as he takes us through the steps of deep-frying a turkey for your Thanksgiving Day meal. The skin's crispy, and the meat is tender.

Begin by covering a fully defrosted turkey in plastic wrap to avoid any messy mishaps. Next, inject the bird in a grid pattern with creole butter marinade for an incredibly flavorful meat. Remove the plastic wrap, and sprinkle the turkey liberally with Creole seasoning. Refrigerate the bird for at least 1 hour before putting it in the fryer. When the turkey is ready to cook, place it on a hook and fry it in peanut oil (peanut oil is recommended for the best turkey-frying flavor; corn oil can be used as a substitute) at 350˚ for about 3 ½ minutes per pound. It should reach an internal temperature of 180˚ in the thigh meat and 160˚ in the breast. Once the turkey is golden brown, place it on a large platter, and let it rest for 15 minutes. And, just like that, it’s time to carve and serve. This mouthwatering entrée is sure to make you thankful on Turkey Day!

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Two-Alarm Deep Fried Turkey

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Recipe: Two-Alarm Deep-Fried Turkey

While a bit of a messy and tedious process, deep-frying your own turkey will leave you with a sense of immense culinary accomplishment. Our recipe for Two-Alarm Deep-Fried Turkey is a welcomed favorite at any holiday gathering or family meal.

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Step 1: Prepare the Turkey

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Remove giblets and neck from turkey; rinse turkey with cold water. Drain; pat dry. Rub turkey with oil. Loosen and lift skin from turkey breast without totally detatching the skin. Rub seasoning under the skin, over the skin, and in the cavity.

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Step 2: Place on Fryer Rod

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Place turkey, neck side down, on the fryer rod.

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Step 3: Cook Turkey in Hot Oil

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Pour oil into turkey fryer 10 to 12 inches below top of fryer. Heat oil to 300° according to manufacturer's instructions. Carefully lower turkey into hot oil.

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Step 4: Remove and Let Stand

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Fry turkey 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 165°. Remove turkey from oil; drain and let stand 15 minutes before carving.

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Southern Living Home Cooking Basics

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Do you love good food and want to master everyday cooking techniques? Then, Home Cooking Basics is your solution to becoming a great cook.

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