Are you in the mood to try something different this year with your Thanksgiving turkey? Why not try deep frying it this year? Some say a fried turkey is the juiciest, most flavorful, crispy-on-the-outside, delicious bit of poultry ever to cross their lips. This project is packed with thermal critical control points that will determine the safety of the cook and the quality of the finished product—and we have all the tips you need.
We’ll be using the ThermoWorks® Smoke X2™ 2-Channel Alarm Thermometer with an additional 12″ Pro-Series® High Temp Probe so we can measure both the turkey meat and the critical oil temperature on the same device.
Slowly lowering the basket helps prevent the oil from bubbling over. Turn the burner back on. Cook the turkey about 3 to 4 minutes per pound. The turkey is done when the dark meat is at an internal temperature of 175° F to 180° F and all white meat is at an internal temperature of 165° F to 170° F.
How Much Oil Will I Need?
Too much oil in the pot will cause the oil to bubble and spill over the sides of the pot when the turkey is lowered in—and this is a dangerous fire hazard. Using enough oil and no more is an important safety precaution.
Place the turkey (set on the stand if using) into the empty pot and fill with water until the turkey is covered. Remove the turkey and measure with a ruler the distance from the top level of the pot to the top level of the water. This will be the mark to which the pot needs to be filled with oil.
What Type of Oil?
An oil with mild flavor and a high smoke point is needed for this deep-frying project, and peanut oil fits the bill perfectly. Its flavor is very neutral and has a smoke point of about 450°F (232°C).
If you or any guests have a peanut allergy, corn, safflower, and sunflower oil are options with high smoke points as well.
Deep Fried Turkey: To Time? Or To Temp?
FAQ
What is the internal temp for a deep fried turkey?
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
How long does it take to deep fry a 15 lb turkey?
What temperature should a deep fried turkey be fried?
In our Deep-Fried Turkey recipe, we call for a relatively low frying temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the oil over high heat and turn the heat off while adding the turkey. Once the turkey is in the oil, maintain the temperature of the oil between 300 and 315 degrees. An average turkey weighs about 15 pounds.
What temperature should a Turkey be cooked at?
When roasting turkey, here are the temperatures to follow: Whole turkey: On your meat thermometer, a whole cooked turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh. Whole turkey, stuffed: The center of the stuffing must reach 165°F.
How long do you deep fry a Turkey?
Once the turkey is in the oil, maintain the temperature of the oil between 300 and 315 degrees. An average turkey weighs about 15 pounds. In our Deep-Fried Turkey recipe, we recommend frying the turkey for 35 to 50 minutes, meaning that we’re giving about 3 minutes per pound for the bird to cook.
How do you know if a deep fried turkey is done?
Deep-fried turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Testing doneness might require an extra set of hands — one to lift the turkey from the oil and another to use a digital probe thermometer to get a temperature reading. Be sure the fryer burner is turned off before handling the turkey.