Frying turkey has a lot of advantages, both culinary and sanity-wise, especially on Thanksgiving. With limited oven room, you need all the space you can get for the side dishes. That makes frying the turkey all the better because you can do it outside. Furthermore, all of the men won’t be able to resist going out and frying it in the deep fryer or stockpot on a propane burner. So you have three great reasons to deep fry a turkey: it simultaneously clears the kitchen of the many taste testers, takes one chore off of your plate, and makes room in the oven for all those great Thanksgiving sides.
Frying a turkey for Thanksgiving or other holidays is a delicious way to prepare the bird. But to achieve turkey perfection, you need the right amount of oil. Underfilling leads to uneven cooking while overfilling increases the risks of hot oil overflow and fire hazards.
So how much oil do you need for a 14 lb turkey?
The Short Answer
For a 14 lb turkey, you’ll need about 3.5-4 gallons of peanut oil. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the size and shape of your fryer pot. Always do a test with water first to determine the precise oil amount before cooking your bird.
Doing a Test Run
The most accurate way to find out how much oil you need is by doing a test run with water before cooking day.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
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Place your empty fryer pot on a level surface.
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Fill with water until the “full line” marked inside the pot
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Place your thawed dried turkey into the pot. The water level will rise.
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Mark the new water level on the pot. This is your oil fill line
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Remove the turkey and drain out the water.
The amount of water needed to reach the marked fill line is equal to the amount of oil you’ll need later. For a 14 lb turkey, expect around 3.5-4 gallons.
This test run accounts for the displacement of oil when you lower the turkey into the hot oil on cooking day. It prevents oil from overflowing and catching fire when the bird goes in.
Choosing Your Oil
Peanut oil is the top choice for deep frying turkey. It has a high smoke point of 450°F, well above the 350°F cooking temperature needed. This allows the oil to withstand high heat without burning.
Other oils like canola, vegetable, and corn oil can also be used. But they have lower smoke points around 400°F, so there’s less of a safety margin.
Avoid olive oil, which smokes at a low 375°F.
When shopping, buy peanut oil in large containers to get the best value. Many warehouse stores sell it in 35lb jugs. A 14lb turkey will use up about a third of a 35lb container.
Preparing Your Turkey
A properly prepared turkey is key for even oil circulation and cooking.
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Thaw the turkey completely in the fridge until no ice remains.
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Remove the giblets and neck from the cavities.
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Pat the turkey dry, inside and out, with paper towels. Any moisture can cause hot oil to bubble up aggressively.
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Tie the drumsticks together to keep the shape compact.
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Insert a deep fry thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to monitor internal temperature.
With a dry, compact shape the turkey will displace less oil for safer frying.
Filling Up On Fry Day
Once your peanut oil is purchased, here are the steps to follow on cooking day:
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Set up the propane burner and place the pot on top. Ensure it’s on a flat, level, nonflammable surface away from houses.
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Fill the cool pot with peanut oil according to your pre-test water level. For a 14 lb turkey, expect about 3.5-4 gallons.
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Heat the oil to 350°F. Use your deep fry thermometer to monitor temperature.
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IMPORTANT: Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the hot oil to prevent splattering.
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Slowly lower the turkey into the oil, being careful of splashing. The oil will bubble up aggressively at first.
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Once the turkey is fully submerged, turn the burner back on and maintain the oil at 325-350°F.
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Fry for around 3-4 minutes per pound, until the breast thermometer reads 165°F.
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Turn off the burner. Slowly lift out the golden turkey and drain excess oil back into the pot.
And your perfectly fried turkey is ready to enjoy!
Turkey Fryer Safety Tips
While hot oil can cook a turkey in under an hour, it does require caution:
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Never overfill the fryer pot with oil. Use your pre-test method.
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Do not let children or pets near the cooking area.
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Position the turkey fryer a safe distance from houses, trees and other flammables.
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Wear heavy oven mitts, long sleeves, closed shoes and eye protection.
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Turn off the propane burner before lowering in or removing the turkey.
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Monitor oil temperature constantly and adjust heat to maintain 325-350°F.
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Never drop items like turkeys or wet foods into hot oil. Lower slowly.
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Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of burns or flare-ups.
Delicious Results
With the right prep and safety steps, deep fried turkey is moist, tender and full of flavor. The hot oil crisps up the skin for a crunchy texture on the outside while keeping the meat deliciously juicy inside.
Frying also cooks the turkey much faster than roasting in an oven. A 14 lb turkey takes only 45-60 minutes start to finish.
Be sure to use an accurate deep fry or candy thermometer to monitor oil and internal temperatures. And do a water test run first to determine the exact amount of peanut oil needed for your 14 lb bird and fryer pot size.
With the right amount of hot oil, you’ll enjoy a perfectly cooked fried turkey this holiday season. Crispy, juicy and delicious!
How do you keep a turkey moist when frying?
Brining the turkey does wonders for keeping it super moist, tender, and flavorful. I highly recommend marinating all poultry, but especially turkey, as they tend to dry out in the cooking process more easily. Brining the turkey for 24-48 hours before cooking it will guarantee a spectacularly moist fried turkey to grace your Thanksgiving table.
What do you do with the oil after frying a turkey?
After the turkey has finished frying, the oil is usually spent. Let the oil cool, and then carefully pour it into an old milk jug or the container it was brought in. Use a funnel to avoid spillage. This way, you can carefully dispose of the oil without the worry of it leaking everywhere or an animal getting into it.
Measuring Your Cooking Oil For Deep Frying A Turkey…101
FAQ
How much oil do I need to fry a 14-pound turkey?
13 Pound Turkey – Use 4 to 5 gallons of oil and cook for 44 minutes. 14 Pound Turkey – Use 5 gallons of oil and cook for 47 minutes. 15 Pound Turkey – Use 5 gallons of oil and cook for 50 minutes. 20 Pound Turkey * – Use 5 to 6 gallons of oil and cook for 3 minutes per pound.
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.
Is 2 gallons of oil enough to fry a turkey?
You’ll need approximately 5 gallons of oil; more for larger turkeys. Turkey can be injected with a marinade, coated with breading or seasoned with a rub before cooking.
How much oil to deep fry a 14 lb Turkey?
When deep frying a 14 lb turkey in an oil heated to 350 F, you’ll typically need about 3 to 4 gallons of oil, however, the exact amount can vary depending on the fryer and the turkey’s shape and thickness. When choosing oil for your deep fry turkey, opt for one with a high smoke point such as peanut or canola oil.
How much oil do you need for a 12 lb 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.
How many quarts of oil do you put in a Turkey?
Measure the volume of your turkey in cubic inches, then allow for 3-4 extra inches of headspace in your pot. Multiply the total volume by 0.125 to get the oil amount in quarts. Multiply the turkey’s weight in pounds by 0.5 quarts per pound. For example, a 16 pound turkey would need 16 * 0.5 = 8 quarts of oil.
How much oil do you put in a Turkey frying pot?
Answer: For this size of turkey frying pot, you should expect to use at least 6.5 quarts of cooking oil before adding your bird — but again, more may be required if using a model of this size. Fill it up just below the rim with cooking oil and allow the fryer to heat for twenty minutes before attempting to add food.
What kind of oil to fry a Turkey?
The best type of oil to fry a turkey is peanut oil. It has a high smoke point and will result in a crispy-skinned bird. Here are some other oils that can be used for frying turkeys: Canola oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, corn oil. For example, if you are cooking a 20-pound turkey, you will need 4 gallons of oil.
How do I measure the perfect oil for deep frying a Turkey?
To measure the perfect amount of oil for deep frying a turkey, you will need to consider the size of your turkey, the type of fryer you are using, and the size of the pot you are using. Here are some steps to follow to measure the perfect amount of oil: Place the turkey in the pot or fryer that you will be using.