Can You Deep Fry a Turkey with Stuffing?

As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks look forward to making a deep-fried turkey The crisp, golden exterior and juicy, tender interior of deep-fried turkey is hard to resist But when it comes to stuffing, the rules for deep-frying get a bit fuzzy. Conventional wisdom warns against deep-frying stuffed poultry. However, with proper precautions, you can safely enjoy deep-fried turkey encased in savory stuffing.

The Conventional Wisdom: Don’t Do It

The USDA and most food safety experts caution against deep-frying a stuffed turkey. Raw stuffing stuffed into the cavity can harbor bacteria. The high heat of frying may not penetrate deep enough to kill germs at the center of dense stuffing. Additionally stuffing acts as an insulator preventing heat from getting to the meat. Steam building up inside can also cause hot oil to bubble up and spill over the pot.

So the traditional advice is to cook stuffing separately to 165°F and deep fry an unstuffed turkey. This avoids the food safety issues associated with stuffing while still yielding a moist bird with crispy skin.

Thinking Outside the Bird

But what if you don’t stuff the cavity, and instead incorporate stuffing flavors into the coating? With cooked stuffing mixed into the breading, you can enjoy those familiar flavors along with the crunch of deep-fried turkey.

Bon Appétit recommends coating sliced turkey cutlets with a batter using cooked stuffing, eggs, and spices After frying to golden perfection, it’s all dipped in gravy YouTube chef Emeril Lagasse takes a similar approach, using cooked cornbread dressing in the coating for fried turkey nuggets. With cooked stuffing in the mix, it’s just along for the hot oil ride.

Tips for Safely Frying Stuffing-Stuffed Birds

While frying an unstuffed turkey may be ideal, passion for stuffing-stuffed poultry persists. If you can’t fathom a holiday bird without stuffing inside, here are some tips to improve safety:

Inject broth, butter, or other liquid seasonings into thicker cuts like turkey to help heat penetrate to the center.
Fry smaller birds like chickens or game hens rather than large turkeys, which allows heat to get to the stuffing more easily.
Use a cooking thermometer to verify the stuffing reaches 165°F minimum.
Let oil fully reheat between batches to maintain ideal temperature.
Keep oil between 325-375°F for even cooking.
Monitor oil temp constantly with a deep fry thermometer.
Fry for approximately 3-5 minutes per pound, up to 30 minutes max.
Thaw turkey fully before frying.
Lower turkey slowly into hot oil to prevent splattering.
Fry outside on a flat surface away from buildings or trees.
Don’t overfill pot with oil. Leave room for turkey displacement.
Wear long sleeves, closed toe shoes, and safety goggles for protection.
Have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand just in case of flare ups.

Make It a Safe Stuffed and Fried Thanksgiving

While an unstuffed bird may be safest, there are more ways to enjoy stuffing with fried turkey:

Bread and fry turkey pieces rather than whole bird. Mix stuffing into coating.
Fry smaller birds like game hens stuffed with dressing. Heat penetrates cavity better.
Inject turkey with broth, butter, etc before frying if stuffing the cavity.
Cook stuffing fully first. Loosely fill cavity after frying turkey.
Fry turkey first, then add heated leftover stuffing to cavity.

Enjoy Your Crispy, Savory Creations

With proper precautions, you can enjoy the crunch and juiciness of deep-fried turkey along with the familiar flavors of stuffing. Complete the meal with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer, fry in manageable batches, and remain vigilant when cooking with hot oil. Follow basic safety measures, and your stuffed-and-fried bird will become a new Thanksgiving tradition.

can you deep fry a turkey with stuffing

Before You Cook Your Turkey

Select your turkey for deep frying. The best weight is between 10 to 20 pounds.
Completely thaw frozen turkey before frying. A 20-pound turkey takes about 4 full days to thaw in the refrigerator.
Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity. Discard or use for giblet gravy or stuffing.
Place the turkey in the deep-fryer pot and fill with plain water until the water reaches about 1 inch below the top of the turkey. Remove the turkey and note where the water level reaches. This will be your oil level line. Dry the turkey and the pot.

Safety tips:

Read the instructions that come with your turkey fryer carefully before use.
Locate fryer outside away from roof overhangs.
Do not use on a deck, patio or in a garage.
Do not fill the pot with oil while it is sitting on the cooking stand.
Never leave the pot unattended.

Watch Now: Everything You Should Know About Injecting Your Turkey

Once your turkey has finished marinating, its time to prepare your fryer. Follow these steps for the tastiest and safest results.

Your turkey deep fryer comes with a turkey stand to insert into the body cavity of the turkey. Place the loop of the stand through the neck of the turkey and exit through the body cavity at the legs. Tie legs together with a piece of string.
Pour oil into the pot, using the water fill line. Use a high-quality cooking oil that has a high (450°F preferably) smoking point, such as canola or peanut oil.
Attach the thermometer included with your turkey fryer to the top of the pot with the clip.
Light the outdoor cooker, beginning with a low flame. Gradually increase the flame until the oil reaches a temperature between 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do NOT leave the cooker unattended. You might have to adjust the temperature control several times to keep the oil at the right temperature, especially if it is windy outside. It will take at least half an hour for the oil to reach the correct temperature.

Stuffing Setup for Deep Frying a Thanksgiving Turkey

FAQ

Can you stuff a turkey when deep frying?

Don’t not stuff a turkey you intend to fry.

Is it safe to cook a turkey with stuffing inside?

Both the turkey and stuffing need to reach a minimal internal temperature of 165°F in order for harmful pathogens in the stuffing to be killed, explains Baker.Oct 20, 2022

What not to do when deep frying a turkey?

Never fry a frozen turkey. Don’t allow pets or animals near the fryer. Don’t get stumbling-down drunk around the fryer. Be careful when adding or removing the turkey. If it gets knocked over, the shit hits the fan FAST! If this happens turn the gas off fast (if you can) or run like hell.

Is it safe to deep fry a turkey inside?

Never use an outdoor frying setup indoors, or in any enclosed or covered space, and never use an indoor fryer outdoors. If you live in a colder climate, plan on being outside in the cold for a couple of hours: Responsible turkey fryers do not leave things unattended.

Can you deep fry a stuffed turkey?

For food safety reasons, it’s not recommended to deep-fry a stuffed turkey. When a turkey is stuffed, the heat from the fryer may not penetrate evenly to the center of the stuffing, potentially leading to undercooked or raw stuffing.

How do you make turkey stuffing?

Just before you return to your turkey, prepare the stuffing batter. Get a large bowl and combine 2 cups flour, 2 cups cornstarch, 3 Tbsp. poultry seasoning, 2 Tbsp. garlic powder, 2 Tbsp. onion powder, 1 Tbsp. kosher salt, 2 tsp. baking powder, and 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (again, 30 pepper mill twists).

Can you deep fry a Turkey for Thanksgiving?

There’s more than one way to deep-fry a turkey for Thanksgiving. In this version, you’re not submerging a whole bird in an industrial-sized fryer. Instead, you’re making personal-sized, crunchy turkey tenders, breaded in stuffing (yes, I said stuffing) and a hard-cider gravy dipping sauce. That you dip your stuffing fried turkey in.

Can you fry a whole Turkey in a fryer?

In this version, you’re not submerging a whole bird in an industrial-sized fryer. Instead, you’re making personal-sized, crunchy turkey tenders, breaded in stuffing (yes, I said stuffing) and a hard-cider gravy dipping sauce. That you dip your stuffing fried turkey in. A true holiday miracle.

How do you make a crispy fried turkey?

Achieving a crispy, golden fried turkey is a matter of technique and attention to detail. The combination of a flavorful marinade, proper breading, and precise frying temperature all play a role in creating the perfect crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Is it hard to fry a Turkey?

Frying a turkey is not difficult, but it does require some care and attention. First, you’ll need to choose the right oil. Canola oil or peanut oil are both good choices. Next, you’ll need to heat the oil to the correct temperature. If the oil is too hot, your turkey will be dry and tough.