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It makes sense that the thought of immersing a whole turkey in a pot of bubbling oil would excite cooks with a bold spirit of adventure. There are benefits to deep-frying a Thanksgiving turkey, too: the process takes less than two hours and yields a juicy, flavorful bird with crispy, golden brown skin. Additionally, since everything takes place outside, you can free up oven space for all the holiday side dishes you intend to make.
However, there’s no better way to ruin Thanksgiving than to light your house and the bird on fire. If this is your first time frying a turkey, don’t just wing it. Our comprehensive guide on turkey frying offers detailed instructions along with several crucial safety precautions to ensure a successful deep-fried Thanksgiving meal.
So go ahead and prepare the sweet potatoes, green beans, and pecan pie in the oven, then head outside to cook your Thanksgiving turkey quickly and simply.
Is 3 gallons of oil enough to fry a turkey?
The answer depends on the size of your turkey and the capacity of your fryer. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need 1 gallon of oil for every 3 pounds of turkey. So, for a 12-pound turkey, you would need 4 gallons of oil However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and have a little extra oil on hand, just in case.
Here’s a table to help you estimate how much oil you’ll need for different turkey sizes:
| Turkey Weight | Oil Needed |
|---|---|
| 9 pounds | 3-4 gallons |
| 12 pounds | 4-5 gallons |
| 14 pounds | 5 gallons |
| 16 pounds | 5-6 gallons |
| 18 pounds | 6-7 gallons |
| 20 pounds | 7-8 gallons |
Choosing the Right Oil for Deep Frying a Turkey
When it comes to deep frying a turkey, the type of oil you use is important. You’ll want to choose an oil with a high smoke point, which is the temperature at which the oil starts to smoke and break down. Peanut oil is a popular choice for deep frying turkey because it has a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Other good options include vegetable oil, corn oil, and canola oil.
How to Deep Fry a Turkey
Deep frying a turkey is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to ensure a safe and delicious meal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Prepare the turkey: Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Heat the oil: Fill your fryer with the appropriate amount of oil and heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lower the turkey into the oil: Slowly and carefully lower the turkey into the hot oil. Be sure to wear oven mitts and goggles to protect yourself from splattering oil.
- Cook the turkey: Cook the turkey for 3-4 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the turkey from the oil: Carefully remove the turkey from the oil and let it rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Tips for Deep Frying a Turkey
- Use a deep fryer with a thermostat to ensure that the oil temperature stays consistent.
- Do not overfill the fryer with oil. The oil should come no more than halfway up the sides of the fryer.
- Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey.
- Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve the turkey with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.
Safety Precautions for Deep Frying a Turkey
Deep frying a turkey can be dangerous if not done properly. Here are some important safety precautions to follow:
- Never leave the fryer unattended while it is in use.
- Keep children and pets away from the fryer.
- Do not use water to extinguish a grease fire. Instead, use a fire extinguisher or baking soda.
- Be sure to let the oil cool completely before disposing of it.
Additional Resources
- How Much Oil to Fry a Turkey? (HotSalty)
- Oil For Deep Frying Turkeys? (Net Cooking Talk)
Deep frying a turkey is a great way to cook a delicious and juicy bird. By following the tips and safety precautions in this guide, you can ensure that your turkey-frying experience is a safe and successful one.
How to deep-fry a turkey:
While the ingredients for our deep-fried turkey recipe are fairly straightforward—all you need is a whole turkey, lots of oil, and any additional seasonings you wish to add—the procedure calls for specialized tools. Although it may require an initial investment, once you own the entire setup, you can deep-fry your turkey every Thanksgiving. (You can also repurpose the equipment for a seafood boil come summertime. )Before you get started,.
- Turkey should always be fried outside, away from any combustible structures such as the house, garage, swing set, backyard patio, etc. When the weather is bad, avoid trying to deep-fry a turkey because it could get messy if snow or rain gets into your fry pot.
- Place the burner on a level surface and make sure kids and pets are always kept a safe distance away from the fryer.
- To protect yourself from the hot oil when deep-frying, put on strong gloves and a protective apron.
- Before moving or discarding the oil, let it cool completely (a few hours is best, but overnight is even better).
The supplies:
You don’t need an industrial deep fryer to cook your bird, but you will need a specialized turkey-frying kit. Look for these at most hardware and home-improvement stores, or online retailers (we like this one from Amazon). Most turkey-frying kits use propane gas, though some electric models fitted with fryer baskets claim to be safe to use indoors (avoid these; frying a whole turkey indoors runs a greater risk of a grease fire). Make sure your outdoor frying kit includes the following items:
- 30-qt. or larger aluminum pot
- A propane burner featuring a gauge to control the flame and a hose to attach to a propane gas tank
- A poultry rack featuring a hook to raise and lower the turkey
- To check the oil temperature, a 12-inch deep-frying thermometer that attaches to the pot’s side
Gas One Turkey Fryer Propane Burner Complete Kit
- A full propane tank
- A waterproof marker
- A heavy-duty apron
- Extended, robust oven mitts (such as those used for grilling)
- A meat thermometer with instant read capability for determining the turkey’s internal temperature
- A fire extinguisher, in case of emergencies
The turkey: Give it plenty of time to thaw if it’s frozen before starting the frying process (see our comprehensive guide on doing so here). If you have a fresh turkey, simply pat it dry with paper towels. In either case, stay away from using a wet marinade or brine because too much moisture can cause the bird to splatter when it’s dipped into the hot frying oil, which could result in dangerous flare-ups.
For most turkey preparations, including frying, we recommend dry-brining for optimal flavor and seasoning. A dry brine can permeate the meat, leading to a juicy, flavorful bird. More significantly, it dries out the skin, which promotes crisping and results in a more regulated frying process. Note that some turkeys—such as Butterball and kosher turkeys—are pre-brined (often in water) and do require additional seasoning. Remember that stuffing should be baked in an oven-safe casserole dish rather than stuffing deep-fried turkeys.
Whichever way you choose, don’t forget to dry the turkey from the inside out and remove the giblets from its cavity. Keep the neck and any other leftover turkey parts aside to make turkey stock (liver can be bitter). ).
The oil: You can use any type of oil that has a high smoke point. Canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil all work well. How much oil do you need to fry a turkey? For a 12–14-lb. turkey, you’ll need approximately 4–5 gal. of oil. However, because pots differ in volume, the technique below will assist you in figuring out exactly how much you’ll need to fill your specific pot. Keep in mind that when you lower the turkey, the oil level will rise; this technique accounts for the space needed between the oil’s surface and the pot’s top. Avoid completely filling the pot as this could lead to the hot oil spilling over and igniting the entire thing.
How to Deep Fry A Turkey – Step By Step Guide
FAQ
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