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There are so many ways to prepare turkeys. In recent years, deep frying has become very popular. This technique has had its share of problems over the years with people causing fires in their homes, decks and on themselves. While it’s not the safest method, if done properly and with caution, your turkey will have the most amazing crispy skin, tender meat and cooked in less than an hour! Let me show you how to make the best deep fried turkey this Thanksgiving season!
Table of Contents
Defrost the turkey.
Place the frozen turkey in the refrigerator 4-5 days before the cook day. You want to give it plenty of time to defrost. The defrost time will vary based on the weight of the turkey so be sure to take that into account.
After the turkey is defrosted, rinse it under cold water, remove all the giblets from the inside cavity and pat it dry. The bird is now ready for prep.
How to make your deep fried turkey flavorful and moist.
Since the cook time on a deep fried turkey is about a third of a traditionally roasted or grilled bird, capturing flavor is critical to ensure a delicious meal. By injecting the turkey, this allows for the flavors to directly penetrate into the meat and distribute throughout the inside of the bird to lock in all those amazing flavors.
In a mixing bowl, melt sticks of butter add minced garlic, BBQ rub, beer and grated white onion and hot sauce of your choice. If you do not want to use beer, a great alternative is apple juice. Mix the ingredients together and get the syringe ready.
Inject the liquid into multiple areas of the breast and into the thighs. When done just wipe off any access liquid on the skin. No need to season the outside of the turkey since it will fall or burn off in the oil.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Heat up the deep fryer.
I use peanut oil when deep frying my turkeys. Preheat the oil to 325 degrees. Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, very slowly lower the turkey, breast side dow into the fryer. Do not for any reason, drop it in quickly, as this is what causes fires! For frying time, assume 3 minutes per pound with total cook time under 1 hour.
Once the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165 degrees, slowly pull up and remove from the fryer. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. Enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
All my recipes can be replicated in the oven, stove top or gas grill. You do not need a big green egg or weber grill to replicate any of my recipes.
The best way to avoid dry meat or know if any protein is ready is to check the internal temperature. Turkey are no different. Remove the turkey at 160 internal degrees for the perfect tender and juicy meat and avoid a dried out bird.
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Printer Friendly Recipe
Best Deep Fried Turkey
Ingredients
- 16 lbs Whole turkey
- 2 sticks Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 tbsp BBQ rub
- 1/4 cup Hot sauce
- 3 GAL Peanut oil
- 1/2 White onion
- 1/2 can Beer or Apple Juice as alternative
Instructions
- Defrost the turkey by placing it in the refrigerator 4-5days before the cook day.
- Rinse it under cold water, remove all the giblets from the inside cavity and pat it dry.
- In a mixing bowl, melt sticks of butter add minced garlic, BBQ rub, apple juice, grated white onion and hot sauce of your choice. Mix the ingredients together and get the syringe ready.
- Inject the liquid into multiple areas of the breast and into the thighs. When done just wipe off any access liquid on the skin.
- Preheat the oil in the deep fryer to 325 degrees.
- Very slowly lower the turkey, breast side down into the fryer.
- For frying time, assume 3 minutes per pound with total cook time under 1 hour.
- Once the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165 degrees, slowly pull up and remove from the fryer. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving
Nutrition
Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty ideas!
