Deep Fry Turkey ~ How to deep fry a turkey safely
Deep fry turkey is a great way to cook a turkey. Having deep frying turkey instructions is even more important.
Frying a turkey can be fun and delicious, but it is also inherently dangerous. You are using a lot of very hot oil. If you do not use the correct amount of oil you can have an overflow issue causing a huge fire. You also need to make sure your turkey is thoroughly defrosted ~ ice and hot oil do not mix.
This lens will show youhow to deep fry a turkey. Follow the instructions and be careful. Have fun and enjoy your turkey.
Contents at a Glance
- Deep Fry Turkey Instructions ~ Step 1 ~ Set Up Your Burner
- How to Deep Fry a Turkey ~ Step 2 ~ Adding the Right Amount of Oil
"Make sure your turkey is completely defrosted. Ice and oil do not play well together."
Deep Fry Turkey Instructions ~ Step 1 ~ Set Up Your Burner
Bayou Classic 1114 Single Burner Square Patio Stove
Make sure your area is well ventilated.
Burner must be level and set up correctly. Make sure you read the directions that come with your burner. If it is not set up properly it could result in fire.
How to Deep Fry a Turkey ~ Step 2 ~ Adding the Right Amount of Oil
The amount of oil you use to deep fry a turkey is the key element. If you use too much oil it will overflow when you put the turkey in.
Do not take chances with a pot that is just barely big enough. The oil will be bubbling and it really isn't worth the risk of starting a fire.
Here's how to find out how much oil to use.
While the pot is empty add your turkey. Add water until the turkey is covered. Take the turkey out and note the level of water. This is how much oil you will put in your pot.
Bayou Classic 3016 30-Quart Outdoor Turkey Fryer with Basket and Fry Pot
Do not take chances with a pot that is just barely big enough. The oil will be bubbling and it really isn't worth the risk of starting a fire.
Here's how to find out how much oil to use.
While the pot is empty add your turkey. Add water until the turkey is covered. Take the turkey out and note the level of water. This is how much oil you will put in your pot.
"COMPLETELY dry the pot and the turkey to avoid fire hazzard"
Deep Fry Turkey Instructions ~ Step 3 ~ Heating the Oil
Maverick Turkey Fryer Remote Thermometer
Keep an eye on the oil. Heating the oil will depend on your location and a wide variety of other variables, so just keep your eye on it. If the oil starts getting too hot, turn your burner down.
When the oil gets to 350 degrees you are ready to deep fry a turkey.
"Make sure to have a dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency"
Deep Fry Turkey Instructions ~ Step 4 ~ Deep fry a turkey
Now that your oil is up to 350 degrees it is time to fry.This is the most dangerous part of the process. Please go very carefully here.
Turn off the burner before you put the turkey in.
Use protective gloves and an apron to protect yourself from splashing oil.
Make sure the bird is very dry and put it in the turkey basket.
**** There will be a violent reaction when the turkey connects with the oil. Be prepared. Go slow ****
Using the metal hook to slowly and gently lower the basket into the oil.
Once the turkey is submerged in the oil turn the burner back on.
Maintain a temperature of 350 throughout the entire cooking process. If the temperature starts to go up, just lower your burner a little. You do NOT want the oil getting hotter than 350 degrees.
Deep Fry Turkey Instructions ~ Step 5 ~ Frying the Turkey
Allow 3 to 4 minutes of frying for each pound of turkey. Keep an eye on the oil temperature. It can vary quickly due to juices leaving the bird. Make sure to keep it at 350 degrees.Your bird will start to float when it is getting done. Once it begins to float allow it to cook for another 15 minutes.
Once you have reached the cooking time you calculated go ahead and turn off the burner and take the turkey out ~ very carefully. Just pull the entire basket out.
Make sure to check the internal temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer. Your turkey breast should be at least 170 degrees. If you have not reached that temperature go ahead and put it back in the oil and turn the burner back on.
Once the turkey is completely cooked pull it out of the pot and place it on the turkey platter.
Deep fry a turkey ~ Step 6 ~ Cooling the Oil
The last thing you have to do is let the oil cool. This part can be just as dangerous as cooking the turkey. You are no longer watching the oil continuously which allows a chance for animals and children to interact with the pot.Keep all children and animals away from the pot until it is completely cooled.
If you want to reuse the oil, once it is cooled run it through a fine strainer. If there is fine debrit in the oil you can also run it through a cheesecloth.
Once strained you can put the oil in a air tight container and refrigerate.
Deep Fried Turkey Video
Deano makes a couple mistakes in this video, including not turning off the burner when he adds the turkey. It's a close call with fire, but this deep fry turkey video is a pretty good representation of what it will be like to deep fry a turkey.
Deano's Deep Fried Turkey
Don't be fooled by outward appearances - this isn't a documentary from the woods of Alabama but a short movie of my brother Dean cooking his first deep-fried turkey at his cottage at lake Wabamum, Alberta, Canada with his family playing the extras (I'm shooting the video).
Did you follow these deep fry turkey instructions?
If you did I'd love to hear your results. Was your turkey delicious? Do you think I missed something in these instructions. Let me know! Leave a comment below.
