How Much Oil Do You Need For Deep Frying A Turkey? A Complete Guide

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For cooks with a brazen sense of adventure, the idea of submerging a whole turkey in a cauldron of bubbling oil is understandably exciting. Deep-frying a Thanksgiving turkey certainly has advantages: The technique produces a juicy, flavorful bird with guaranteed crispy, golden brown skin—and the whole process takes less than 2 hours. Plus, all of the action happens outdoors, freeing up oven space for all the holiday side dishes you plan on churning out.

But, there’s no better way to ruin Turkey Day than by setting the bird (and your house) on fire. If this is your first time frying a turkey, don’t just wing it. Our turkey frying guide includes step-by-step instructions and a few essential safety tips so your deep-fried Thanksgiving dinner will go off without a hitch.

So go ahead and fill the oven with sweet potatoes, green beans, and pecan pie; then head outdoors for this quick and easy way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey.

Frying a whole turkey is an exciting way to prepare the centerpiece of your holiday meals. With its crispy golden skin and moist, flavorful meat, deep-fried turkey is a treat everyone will love. But to pull it off safely, you need to know precisely how much oil your turkey fryer requires.

Underfilling your fryer pot can lead to uneven cooking or, even worse, fiery splatter when the turkey is lowered into insufficient hot oil On the flip side, overfilling with too much oil increases safety risks and can be incredibly wasteful

So how do experienced home cooks determine the right turkey fryer oil amount every time? Follow this guide to learn foolproof techniques for calculating the exact quantity of oil needed to deep fry turkey perfection,

Factors That Determine Oil Quantity For Turkey Frying

Several key factors go into determining how much oil you need for deep frying a whole turkey:

  • Turkey weight – Allow around 3 gallons of oil per 10 pounds of turkey. So a 16-18 lb turkey needs about 4-5 gallons.

  • Fryer pot size – The capacity of your fryer pot dictates how much oil it can safely hold. Always leave 2-3 inches of headspace.

  • Peanut oil – The most common and recommended oil for deep frying. Other neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil also work.

  • Displacement – Account for extra oil displacement when the turkey is lowered into the hot oil.

Calculate Precise Oil Amount In 4 Easy Steps

Figuring out the right amount of oil for your turkey fryer takes just a few simple calculations:

  1. Weigh thawed turkey – Ideal weight is 10-15 lbs.

  2. Check fryer pot capacity – Turkey must be submerged + 2-3 inches of oil.

  3. Use oil amount guidelines – Allow ~3 gallons per 10 lbs turkey weight.

  4. Add extra oil – To account for turkey displacement when lowered into pot.

Oil Quantity Guidelines By Turkey Size

As a general rule of thumb, here are the approximate oil amounts needed based on whole turkey weight:

  • 12-13 lb turkey ~ 2.5-3 gallons

  • 14-15 lb turkey ~ 3-3.5 gallons

  • 16-17 lb turkey ~ 4 gallons

  • 18-19 lb turkey ~ 4.5-5 gallons

  • 20-21 lb turkey ~ 5-6 gallons

These turkey fryer oil amounts are estimated. You should still calculate precisely based on your specific pot and turkey.

Choosing The Best Oils For Deep Frying Turkey

Select an oil with:

  • High smoke point above 400°F

  • Neutral flavor that won’t overpower turkey

  • Low viscosity for even cooking

The top oil options are:

  • Peanut oil – Most popular for great flavor.

  • Canola oil – Affordable with mild flavor.

  • Vegetable oil – Budget-friendly standard oil.

  • Corn oil – Works well and has neutral taste.

Avoid olive, sesame, butter, or lard oils due to low smoke points.

Setting Up The Fryer and Heating Oil Properly

Once you’ve calculated the quantity needed, prepare your turkey fryer:

  • Place propane burner on flat outdoor surface away from structures.

  • Carefully pour oil into pot, leaving 2-3 inches of headspace.

  • Attach propane tank and open valve to heat oil to 350°F.

  • Use thermometer to monitor oil temp.

  • Allow oil to fully cool before disposing after cooking.

Lowering and Cooking Turkey Safely

Follow these tips when frying your turkey:

  • Thoroughly thaw and dry turkey inside and out to prevent splatter.

  • Use fryer basket if available or slowly lower turkey into oil with tongs.

  • Oil may bubble up once turkey is added – turn off burner briefly if overflowing.

  • Fry 3-4 minutes per pound, monitoring temperature with a meat thermometer.

  • Maintain 300-350°F oil temperature throughout frying.

  • Cook until 165°F in breast and 175°F in thighs to ensure doneness.

  • Drain on paper towel lined pan before serving.

Deep Frying Turkey Safely

Take these precautions when using large amounts of hot oil:

  • Never leave fryer unattended – oil can quickly overheat.

  • Avoid spillovers by allowing headspace in pot.

  • Dry turkey thoroughly so hot oil doesn’t splash out.

  • Cook outdoors given high oil quantity and temperature.

  • Allow used oil to fully cool before disposal.

With the right oil amount for your turkey’s weight and fryer size, you’ll achieve phenomenally crispy, juicy fried turkey. Refer to this guide for a safe setup, controlled frying process, and mouthwatering holiday centerpiece!

how much oil in turkey fryer

How to deep-fry a turkey:

Though the ingredient list for our deep-fried turkey recipe is relatively simple (all you need is a whole turkey and a lot of oil, plus any seasonings you want to add), the process requires very specific equipment. It might be an investment up front, but once you own the whole setup, you can deep-fry your turkey year after year. (You can also repurpose the equipment for a seafood boil come summertime.)Before you get started,

  • Always fry your turkey outdoors in an open space away from the house, garage, swing set, backyard patio, or any other combustible structure. Do not attempt to deep-fry a turkey in inclement weather (if rain or snow gets into your fry pot, it could spell trouble).
  • Arrange the burner on a flat surface and keep children and pets a safe distance from the fryer at all times.
  • Wear heavy-duty gloves and a sturdy apron when deep-frying to protect yourself from the hot oil.
  • Allow the oil to cool completely (at least a few hours; overnight is better) before moving or disposing of it.

    • The supplies:

You don’t need an industrial deep fryer to cook your bird, but you will need a specialized turkey-frying kit. Look for these at most hardware and home-improvement stores, or online retailers (we like this one from Amazon). Most turkey-frying kits use propane gas, though some electric models fitted with fryer baskets claim to be safe to use indoors (avoid these; frying a whole turkey indoors runs a greater risk of a grease fire). Make sure your outdoor frying kit includes the following items:

  • 30-qt. or larger aluminum pot
  • Propane burner with a hose that connects to a propane gas tank and a gauge for regulating the flame
  • Poultry rack with a hook for lowering and raising the turkey
  • 12″ deep-fry thermometer that clips to the side of the pot to monitor the oil temperature

Gas One Turkey Fryer Propane Burner Complete Kit

  • A full propane tank
  • A waterproof marker
  • A heavy-duty apron
  • Long, heavy-duty oven mitts (the kind you might use for grilling)
  • An instant-read meat thermometer for checking the internal temperature of the turkey
  • A fire extinguisher, in case of emergencies

The turkey: If you’re starting with a frozen turkey, allow it ample time to thaw before beginning the frying process (get our complete guide to thawing a turkey here). If you have a fresh turkey, simply pat it dry with paper towels. Either way, avoid using a wet brine or marinade; excess moisture can lead to splattering when you submerge the bird in the hot frying oil, resulting in dangerous flare-ups.

For most turkey preparations, including frying, we recommend dry-brining for optimal flavor and seasoning. A dry brine can permeate the meat, leading to a juicy, flavorful bird. More importantly, it dries out the skin, encouraging it to crisp and leading to a more controlled frying process. Note that some turkeys—such as Butterball and kosher turkeys—are pre-brined (often in water) and do require additional seasoning. Keep in mind that deep-fried turkeys should not be stuffed; instead, bake your stuffing in a casserole dish in the oven.

No matter which route you take, remember to remove the giblets from the turkey’s cavity and dry it inside and out. (Excluding the liver, which can be bitter, reserve the neck and any other discarded turkey parts to make turkey stock.)

The oil: You can use any type of oil that has a high smoke point. Canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil all work well. How much oil do you need to fry a turkey? For a 12–14-lb. turkey, you’ll need approximately 4–5 gal. of oil. But pots vary in volume, so the method below will help you determine the precise amount you’ll need to fill your particular pot. Remember that the oil level will rise once you lower the turkey; this method factors in the clearance required between the oil’s surface and the top of the pot. Never fill the pot to the brim, which could cause the hot oil to overflow and set the whole thing ablaze.

Measuring Your Cooking Oil For Deep Frying A Turkey…101

FAQ

Is 3 gallons of oil enough to deep fry a turkey?

Place the pot on the burner; clip a deep-fry thermometer to the side of the pot. Add a neutral oil with a high-smoke point to the pot up to the fill line you made earlier (you’ll need about 4–5 gal. to fry a 12–14-lb. turkey in a 30-qt. pot).

Does turkey have to be fully submerged in oil?

Remove basket from oil, place turkey in basket. Slowly lower the turkey into the fryer. The turkey may not be totally immersed in the oil. This may cause the top part of the breast to remain white even though it is cooked to the proper end temperature.

How much oil do you need to fry a Turkey?

You’ll need enough oil to cover your entire turkey, but not so much that it spills over. A general guideline is to use 3 gallons of oil for a 30 qt. pot and 3 1/3 gallons of oil for a 32 qt. pot. Check out this list of turkey weights and oil quantities to approximate how much oil you’ll need to fry your turkey:

How do you fry a Turkey in a fryer?

Place the turkey in the fryer and cover it with water to measure the oil you’ll need. The turkey should be covered by about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of water, and you should have 5 inches (13 cm) between the water level and the top of the fryer. You can either measure the water as you put it into the pot or after you remove the turkey.

Can you deep fry a 15 lb Turkey?

With a turkey fryer, you can deep fry a 15 lb. turkey in 50 minutes. That’s a huge time savings which is enough reason in itself, but you also get delicious results. Learn more about turkey frying oil below, or check out our turkey frying recipe to get started. What Is the Best Oil for Frying Turkey?

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