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Fried Turkey Recipe

If you have always wanted to try a Deep Fried Turkey recipe for the holidays, now is the time! Learn how to deep fry turkey as safely and efficiently as possible for an unforgettable turkey dinner that’s moist, flavorful, and cooks in under an hour.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword best fried turkey recipe, deep fried turkey, deep fried turkey recipe, deep frying turkey recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 46 minutes
Brine and Rest Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 14 hours 16 minutes
Servings 6 to 8 people
Calories 1045kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Deep Fryer
  • 5 Gallon Bucket or other container large enough to fit turkey with water

Ingredients

  • 13 pound Whole Turkey
  • 2 gallons water
  • 1 cup salt
  • ½ cup peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 30 quarts vegetable oil (see notes)

Instructions

  • Prep turkey the usual way by removing giblets, the neck, and any other unnecessary parts. In a clean and sanitized 5 gallon bucket, add 2 gallons of water, 1 cup salt, and peppercorns. Stir.
    13 pound Whole Turkey, 2 gallons water, 1 cup salt, ½ cup peppercorns
    peppercorns and water in a large tub
  • Add turkey to the water. If the turkey is not fully covered, add more water until it is. Place the bucket in the refrigerator and let it sit for 12 hours, up to 36 hours. If you don’t have a fridge that will fit the turkey, fill the bucket the rest of the way with ice after adding the turkey, and it will keep for 12 hours. If necessary, keep adding ice for as long as you want it to brine.
    turkey in a large tub with seasonings and water
  • Place the oil in your deep fryer and let it preheat to 350℉, which will take around an hour. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry. This step is important when deep frying! Make sure your turkey is completely dry! Mix the sea salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl. Rub every inch of the outside of the turkey with the mixture.
    1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 30 quarts vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
    uncooked turkey placed in the fryer basket
  • Once the oil is heated, place the turkey in the fryer insert, and very gently lower the turkey into the fryer. Do not drop the turkey into the oil- lower it slowly.
    lowering frying basket into turkey deep fryer
  • Let cook for 46 minutes then gently remove and place on a pan with paper towels. Let rest for 30 minutes.
    turkey frying in deep fryer with bubbling hot oil
  • Carve and enjoy!
    moving a slice of deep fried turkey to a plate

Notes

Recipe Tips
  • If you have a bigger or smaller turkey, the only thing you need to change is the cooking time. It’s 3.5 minutes per pound of turkey. You do not need to adjust the amount of seasoning unless you want to. Simply make sure the seasoning is equal amounts.
  • Make sure you have a big enough fryer. I used a 64 quart deep fryer with the added removable insert. This should cook the largest turkeys – up to 30 pounds.
  • If you have a smaller fryer, it’s okay as long as the turkey fits without having to be shoved into it.
  • If your fryer is a different size, you will require a different amount of oil. Simply fill your fryer halfway full and no more – but check your fryer manual, as fryers differ across brands and types. It’s important to know the size of the fryer you’re using.
  • You can use whichever kind of oil you prefer, but it will change the taste of your turkey. Peanut oil is a great choice as it has a high flash point, making it less likely to catch fire.
  • If possible, have a second person help with the process for safety’s sake. Just make sure they are also appropriately dressed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1person | Calories: 1045kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 153g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 502mg | Sodium: 1170mg | Potassium: 1588mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 9mg