Courting disaster is worth it for something this delicious — but safety is of paramount importance.
Deep-frying makes everything taste good, including Thanksgiving turkey. However, frying a turkey is a dangerous task that can go horribly wrong, as evidenced by the innumerable YouTube videos featuring flame-engulfed scenes. So here are some tips on how to deep fry turkey — and what not to do.
Deep frying a turkey is a fantastic way to cook a delicious and moist bird for your holiday feast. It’s a surprisingly quick method, taking only about 30 minutes to cook a whole turkey, depending on its size.
Why Canola Oil?
Canola oil is the preferred choice for deep frying turkey due to its high smoke point and low allergy concerns Its neutral flavor also allows the natural flavors of the turkey to shine through.
Key to Success: Temperature Control
The key to achieving a crispy, non-greasy turkey is maintaining the correct oil temperature. Canola oil’s high smoke point makes it ideal for this purpose. Aim for a temperature of 375°F. Remember, the oil temperature will drop when you submerge the turkey, so adjust accordingly.
How It Works: The Science of Deep Frying
Deep frying is a dry heat cooking method. The hot canola oil heats the water within the turkey, creating steam that pushes bubbles to the surface. This is why it’s crucial to ensure your turkey is completely dry, both inside and out, before frying.
Choosing the Right Oil and Equipment
Look for a 16-liter jug of high stability canola oil at your supermarket or a bulk store like Costco. This type of oil is specifically designed for deep frying and has a higher smoke point.
Most hardware stores sell turkey deep fryers. Electric models are also available and offer a convenient and safe option.
How Much Oil Do I Need?
To determine the correct amount of oil, follow these steps:
- Place your turkey in an empty deep-fryer pot.
- Fill the pot with water until it reaches about 2 inches above the turkey.
- Remove the turkey.
- Submerge a measuring stick into the water and mark the point where the water level reaches.
- Dispose of the water and thoroughly dry the pot.
- Stand the measuring stick upright in the empty pot and fill it with oil to the marked point.
Reusing the Oil
After frying, allow the oil to cool completely. Strain it through coffee filters or cheesecloth and pour it back into its container for future use. Remember to season your food after it comes out of the fryer.
Additional Tips for Deep Frying Turkey:
- Choose a turkey weighing less than 10 pounds or opt for turkey parts like wings, thighs, and breasts.
- Remove giblets and neck from the turkey and rinse it with cool water.
- If marinating or injecting, do so and refrigerate the turkey for 4-24 hours.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels before frying to prevent oil splattering.
- Preheat the oil to 375°F and use a thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- Carefully lower the turkey into the oil using a basket or holder.
- Cook for approximately 3 minutes per pound.
- Check the temperature with a food thermometer: 180°F in the breast and 170°F in the thigh.
- Let the cooked turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
Safety Precautions:
- Keep children and pets away from the deep fryer.
- Follow the instructions provided with your deep fryer.
- Do not stuff the turkey or use a pre-stuffed or pre-basted turkey.
- Ensure the turkey is completely thawed before frying.
- Be aware of the hot surfaces of the fryer.
- Do not overfill the pot with oil.
- Deep fry outdoors on a level surface, away from wooden decks or garages.
- Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
- Allow the oil to cool completely before disposing of it or storing it.
Enjoy your delicious and perfectly cooked deep-fried turkey!
These Tips Help Make Thanksgiving Cooking Less Chaotic
This is your traditional outdoor turkey fryer with a portable gas burner and a huge metal pot. A thermometer, an aluminum fry pan, a perforated fry basket, and a turkey rack with lifting hook are also included. Although using it indoors is not advised and it does require extra caution, your 20-pound turkey should fit perfectly in this one as well.
It is imperative to monitor the oil temperature using a thermometer, as an excessively high temperature can quickly ignite a fire. Youll need a propane tank to hook it up to.
What NOT to do
- Make sure you thoroughly read the instruction manual for the fryer you intend to use well in advance. For good reason, they provide safety advice and usage guidelines. Get acquainted with them before turkey day arrives.
- Never place the fryer too close to a house, an outbuilding, or a fire source (such as a tree), or on uneven ground, wood, or grass. As a general rule, keep all such objects at least ten feet away.
- As mentioned above, avoid using oil with a low smoke point.
- When you lower the turkey into the oil, it will naturally spill over and catch fire, so be careful not to add too much.
- To prevent the turkey from displacing grease over the sides, lower it slowly and carefully into the hot oil rather than dropping it in.
- Avoid placing a frozen turkey in the fryer as the abrupt temperature shift may result in a fire explosion. Before cooking, make sure the turkey is fully thawed and patted dry.
- Do not leave the fryer unattended. Not even for a hot second. Additionally, keep your gaze fixed on the thermometer at all times.
- It takes some time for all the grease to cool down, so don’t let kids, dogs, inebriated friends, or family members anywhere near the fryer, even for a few hours after you’re done.
- Respectful safety gear, such as goggles and gloves that can withstand heat (do you really want to take chances with that much hot oil?) should not be laughed at.
- In general, don’t take frying turkey lightly because if something goes wrong, it could kill you, maim you and your loved ones, and burn down your house. Just respect the process and take the proper precautions.
- Avoid adding water to the fryer in case it catches fire.
Make sure a fire extinguisher is readily available and that it can put out fires caused by oil and grease. Familiarize yourself with how it works ahead of time, too.