Learn how to deep fry turkey in this GardenFork.TV cooking video. We received a bunch of requests to make a video about how to make deep fried turkey, so just in time for Thanksgiving, here is the our simple method for deep frying turkey. We bought our Turkey Deep Fryer Kit on Amazon here
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There are a bunch of precautions when using a deep fryer, remember, the oil is real HOT and can burn you.
- Wear long sleeves and heavy gloves
- Turn off the burner when lowering or raising the turkey
- Defrost the turkey fully
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- Slowly lower the turkey into the hot oil, takes 1-2 minutes to fully immerse the turkey
- Make sure the oil temperature thermometer is not accidentally stuck in the turkey itself. You want to use the large round dial thermometer that comes with your deep fryer kit to measure the oil temperature.
- Do not let the oil go above 350F, bad things can happen, like spontaneous combustion, not a good thing.
- Follow all safety rules that come with the turkey deep fryer kit
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The secret to great deep fried turkey is temperature, you want cook the breast to 145F, then turn off the burner, lift out the turkey, drain and let it rest for 20 minutes. It will continue to cook a bit. I've found that if you cook the turkey past the 145F mark, it tastes dry and crumbly.
[box bg="#FFCC33" color="#000000"]Be extremely careful when using a deep fryer! Hot oil will burn your skin. Follow all directions and precautions that come with you deep fryer.[/box]
We could go into the science of protein strands tightening up when they are heated too much, but we'll leave that to America's Test Kitchen. Just remember to check the temperature after about 25 minutes in the thick part of the breast.
Here is where we bought out deep fried turkey kit:
Tonia Moxley
I would add that you should thoroughly dry the bird inside and out with paper towels before frying. And I would wear a face shield, or at the very least, safety glasses or goggles when putting it in or taking it out. Hot oil pops, and it can really hurt you. Keep kids and dogs and drunk people in the house.
Pat Murphy
Hi Eric!
Interesting project ! I would like to try this at some point, but living in the city I don't see this happening anytime soon!
I wonder of the placement of the fire extinguisher would be better closer to the camera operator or at least on your side of the cooking pot - that way you wouldn't have to maneuver around any potential fire in a scramble to reach the extinguisher.
I bet that turkey was delicious!
David Pastor de la Orden
Hi!
I never heard about this way of cooking a whole turkey... it looks very funny indeed. Just a question, what about salt? Did you put some before or after frying?
Thanx!
David
Eric Gunnar Rochow
we didn't salt the turkey, you could do a dry salt rub-brine a day before it you want. we rinsed the bird, dried it with towels, and fried it. it came out great. thanks,e ric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
yes pat, fire extinguisher placement is important, i had it next to me for the video, but moved it while cooking. thanks, eric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
i agree with tonia, good points here. hot oil is dangerous. thx, eric.
David K
After you added oil with the bird in the pot to ensure you had the right amount, what did you do with the bird while the oil was heating??
Tonia Moxley
I deep fried a wild turkey my friend got for us this year. Worked well, and the weather couldn't have been better for cooking outside. Thanks for the how-to video -- it made things go much smoother than it would otherwise.
T.
Tonia Moxley
One thing I learned in deep frying my own turkey using your wonderful example: test your thermometer before frying. Stick it in boiling water, and it should register 212 degrees. If not, you can do the math to make sure you get the oil to the right temp, or you have time to get a new thermometer.