Deep Fried Turkey
 

I'm thinking about getting a deep fryer. To cook turkey. I've heard it really tastes good.
What is the best kind of fryer? I've seen electric, propane and oil less infared?
How long can I keep the oil after the first use?
Thanks

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Use peanut oil and a propane heater with a big pot. Get the oil really hot before putting the turkey in. Wrap a wire around the legs of the turkey so you can take it out when it is done. Inject the turkey with butter and garlic....it is easy and usually only takes a six pack to get it done. When the turkey floats to the top, it is done. Man, are they good....good luck....oh, and peanut oil last a long time......we have saved and strained the oil and used it over 4 or 5 times.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Propane cooker, large pot, usually best deal is at WalMart. Use a good injected marinade, and a good rub. Make absolutely certain the turkey is completely thawed, and absolutely zero water of any kind is in your turkey. Heat the oil to 350 degrees, drill a 1/4" hole in the lid of the cooker to allow you to keep a thermometer in the lid all the time. A good cooker will have an oil thermometer and a meat thermometer. You need about 3-4 minutes per pound of thawed turkey. Most good cookers come with a stand to set the turkey over, and a hook to raise and lower the turkey in the oil. Lower the turkey extremely slowly into the oil, have a fire extinguisher very handy, and cook outdoors, preferably on concrete, away from anything that will burn.

I normally use Tony Chechere's injectable marinade, and his Creole seasoning (easily found at Walmart). I pour the marinade in a sauce pan, melt a stick of real unsalted butter in it, and stir in a tablespoon of hot sauce (your choice). I inject the turkey the night before, and rub it well. The day it is to be cooked, I get it out 1-2 hours before time to cook, and let it get closer to room temperature. I cook a 16# turkey for 48-60 minutes, the temperature of the breast should be 170 degrees. Adjust your propane burner to get the temperature back up to 350 degrees ASAP after putting your turkey in, as it will drop to as low as 250 degrees, depending on how large and how cold your turkey is.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

X2 on what they both said.
Save the peanut oil and fresh cut some potato's (French Fri style) and shazam! boardwalk fries. never as good as thrashers though

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Yeah! What Gary said! We used to do this at the Fire Department, great tasting turkey! Crispy outside and moist inside. Just be very careful, hot oil will hurt you bad! Jim


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Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Also...after the oil reaches its temperature, lower the Turkey in to the fryer VERY, VERY SLOWLY!!!

If you lower it too fast, it will crisp the skin too fast and not cook well inside.
(Been there, done that!)

Also, like Alan said, do not exceed 350 degrees temperature and use a good candy thermometer. If the oil is too hot, it will also crisp the skin too fast.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Note: Make sure that you don't overfill the pot and most important, if you use peanut oil make sure none of your guests are allergic to any kind of nuts.

Enjoy,

JimR

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Alan had a lot of good advice and I will say one thing again. Make sure the bird is thawed and dry. If still frozen or really wet, the water flashes to steam (ice will expand even faster)and you will have a mess with the overflow. Mythbusters did a show showing the effects of a frozen bird. Don't do it on a wooden deck. We usually throw a bag of frozen okra (you are in Georgia now) in after the bird. You can do it frozen but it will boil up. Be careful. I do turkey 3 times a year and usually use the oil 2 years. I cook mine about 4.5 - 5 min a pound. We all like the outer crunchy but not burned. Easier to carve if you let it set a few minutes.
I will never go back to oven baked turkey
Happy Thanksgiving

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

I am getting excited to deep fry a turkey again. I know that I have the propane/and stand but not sure if my pots, lids, and thermometers made it thru the moves we have made that past 2 years. I will be digging tomorrow to find the pots. My daughters had planned on Thanksgiving dinner and putting a turkey in the oven. I think the deep fried turkey might be a new tradition for them. I will let you know.....my mouth is watering...........(oh, the cold turkey sandwiches with Miracle whip and cheese........mmmmmmmmmmmm)

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

x2

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

You know what is really awesome about this.......besides having your families together to give thanks, is that when you make that "special turkey"...it is remembered forever....7 of my 9 grandkids will be there for Thanksgiving. (plus my 3 of my 4 kids).......however I make that deep fried turkey, it will go down as "grandpa's" turkey and when I am long gone, they will remember it and hopefully trying to make one like grandpa used to make. Whether you use butter and garlic (like I do), or add cajun flavoring, mesquite, or whatever.........it will be remembered for Thanksgiving Day.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Maybe I should deep fry 2 birds.........one like I indicated and another "adult" bird injected with Jack Daniels?????????????? Has anyone tried it?

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

The alcohol will cook off, leaving just the taste. Any time you actually cook something you put alcohol in, if it is cooked very long after the alcohol is added, the alcohol evaporates.

Most any food you inject or marinate with Jack Daniels will "take" the flavor. I've never tried Jack Daniels in turkey, so I don't know about the combination. However, it does taste fine in chicken.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

I just bought a 36 quart deep fryer. and 4.5 gallons of peanut oil.
And a 12 pound turkey.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Gary
Your right about the sandwiches. Last year I did a turkey and a large breast. This year its 2 turkeys. My 2 kids take a bunch home so now there will be some left for grandad.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Wow......this is going to be a Thanksgiving to remember. My youngest grandson (red head, like his mom) just turned 1.....so maybe he will remember this Thanksgiving. I know grandpa will......... Can we skip Thanksgiving and get straight to the cold turkey sandwiches and college football on TV???? LOL. I hope everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving......we all have so much to be thankful for.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

To help prevent hot oil overflow...put turkey in fryer, fill with water, covering turkey by 2". Remove turkey and mark the water line. Empty (and dry), then add oil up to the marked line.

Insulated hand mitts are helpful when removing the turkey from the hot oil.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

. Sounds like you speak from experience. Good advice. But really complicated for my simple mind. LOL. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, Julie. Same to Don, Steve and Charlie if you see them.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Oh man! The sandwiches from leftovers are the BEST part! Jim


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Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Good luck, Art. Should be delicious. (I'll have to drive down there for leftovers lol)

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

x2

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving............mine was so....so.....I had trouble deep frying the turkey. First, I was concerned that one would not be enough, so I bought 2. I got the peanut oil up to 350 degrees like everyone said. The problems started when I got the first turkey within about 5 feet of the hot oil...........it flew off.....so did the second one. I don't know what I did wrong??????

Really, it was awesome. Great family get together and food was perfect. My kids tricked me into taking some pictures............here is one of them...Seems as though, I was the only one that didn't know to make a funny face...........left to right: oldest daughter, daughter in law, son, my fat azz, and my youngest daughter.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Gary I think there was to much adult beverage Lol

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Could have been................really, my kids are crazy (like me) and never miss a chance to have a good time. The grand kids are sleeping well tonight....they wore me out, and were still going. Life is so good and I am so blessed.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

After the turkey the trick to getting GREAT fries is to use Russet potatoes (we bought a commercial slicer) peeled and sliced the night before soaking in water.

Part cook all the fries so that when everyone is ready to eat, you can then go back and finish fry to a crisp golden brown color.
We used to fry Dill Pickles but opted not to batter & fry this year!

Girls prefer conventional "bird in the oven",So we always do 2 birds.
Guy's cook outside with the can! (where most of the coolers are)

Most find the fried bird moist and delicious!

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

My first fried turkey was a sucess. Didn't burn the house down, or take a trip to the ER.
I believe I cooked it a little to long. I used the weight on the price sticker which was with the neck and guts. Plus after I put in the turkey the temp stayed at 300 degrees for the first and second 15 minutes (auto shut off) I then put the lid on it to raise the oil temp to 350. But left it in an extra 5 minutes.
It was still great, but the temp in the breast went to 170 degrees when I took it out. I read the ideal temp was 160 degrees. All in all it was great. And I'm hoping to perfect it next time Christmas Day.

Re: Deep Fried Turkey
 

Told ya! Jim


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