There are a lot of major decisions to be made when it comes to planning your Thanksgiving menu—especially when it comes to the turkey. Are you buying fresh or frozen? Are you using a dry or wet brine? Or are you skipping the turkey entirely in favor of another main like ham or prime rib?
If you are opting to make a bird this year, there’s a good chance you’re roasting it in the oven. But many households swear by deep frying their turkeys. Proponents of the method claims that a deep fried turkey cooks more quickly, results in moister meat, and frees up valuable oven space for the rest of your holiday meal.
There are certainly perks to a deep fried turkey, but there’s also a pretty big caveat: it can be far more dangerous than just popping your poultry in the oven. Oil is a flammable material, and any leaks and spills can end up catching fire near your heating mechanism. Nothing ruins a holiday quite like calling the fire department. In fact, the National Fire Protection Agency advises against the method entirely for fear of this happening:
But, if you choose to proceed with a deep fried turkey anyway, there are several steps you can take to minimize safety risks. Whether this year is your first foray into frying your bird, or you’ve been doing it for years and need a refresher, this guide is for you. We consulted fire safety experts to unpack everything you need to know about deep frying turkey safely.
Deep frying a turkey has become a popular cooking method for many families on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Lowering the turkey into a vat of hot oil results in crispy, golden brown skin enveloping tender, juicy meat. But did you know you can also deep fry other meats like ham to achieve similar mouthwatering results?
With the right equipment and technique, deep frying a ham can be an exciting new way to enhance flavor and texture for your next holiday feast In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to successfully deep frying a whole ham at home. You’ll learn about
- The benefits of deep frying ham
- Step-by-step frying instructions and tips
- Necessary equipment to have on hand
- Safety considerations when working with hot oil
- My favorite deep fried ham recipe
After reading this guide, you’ll feel confident to try deep frying a ham yourself for upcoming holidays like Easter or Christmas. Let’s get started!
Why Deep Fry a Ham?
Most people are familiar with baking a glazed holiday ham in the oven So why switch to deep frying? Here are some of the biggest benefits
-
Locks in moisture and flavor – The hot oil seals the exterior to prevent moisture loss. Marinades and spices get trapped inside
-
Faster cook time – Frying takes only 7-9 minutes per pound rather than 18-24 for baking in an oven.
-
Crispy exterior – You get an irresistible crunch on the outside that contrasts beautifully with the juicy interior.
-
Caramelized glaze – Any sugars and spices on the outside caramelize into a crispy coating.
-
Flavor infusion – Marinade injectors allow you to infuse seasoning directly into the meat.
-
Foolproof doneness – Oil cooks the ham evenly, eliminating worries about undercooked centers.
Overall, deep frying provides texture and flavor you just can’t achieve with a traditional baked ham. Once you try it, you may never go back!
Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Frying Ham
Here is an easy step-by-step guide to deep fry a bone-in ham at home:
Gather Equipment
You’ll need:
- Outdoor propane turkey fryer kit
- Peanut oil (enough to submerge ham)
- Ham marinade injector
- Instant-read thermometer
- Heavy duty tongs and mitts
- Large cutting knife and carving fork
Make Marinade
Whisk together apple cider, brown sugar, mustard, and spices like garlic and onion powder.
Inject Ham
Use a marinade injector to inject flavorful liquid deep into the ham the night before cooking.
Dry Thoroughly
Pat the ham dry with paper towels before frying. Excess moisture causes splattering.
Heat Oil to 375°F
Fill fryer pot with peanut oil, leaving a few inches at the top. Heat oil to 375°F.
Fry 7-9 Minutes Per Pound
Slowly lower ham into hot oil and fry for 7-9 minutes per pound until internal temp reaches 160°F.
Remove and Rest
Carefully remove the ham and let rest for 20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to absorb.
After resting, the ham is ready to carve and serve! The hot peanut oil seals in plenty of moisture while the exterior develops a lovely crisp, bacon-like texture.
5 Deep Fried Ham Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips for the very best results when deep frying a ham:
- Inject flavorful marinades the night before for maximum infusion
- Allow cooked ham to rest 20 minutes before slicing to prevent dryness
- Maintain oil temperature as close to 375°F as possible
- Fry for 7 minutes per pound for ideal interior moisture
- Pat ham extremely dry before frying for proper exterior crisping
Is Deep Fried Ham Safe?
Yes, deep fried ham is completely safe when proper precautions are taken, including:
- Fry outdoors away from homes/structures
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance
- Use a thermometer and don’t overheat oil
- Carefully lower ham away from your body to prevent burns
- Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, mitts, and an apron
The most important safety tip is to fry outdoors with an electric or propane turkey fryer designed for frying large cuts of meat. This prevents potential indoor fire hazards.
As long as you take proper safety measures, deep frying ham is a fun, manageable cooking method for spectacular holiday meals.
My Favorite Deep Fried Ham Recipe
For the tastiest deep fried ham, I recommend injecting it with this flavorful apple cider marinade:
Ingredients:
- 8 oz apple cider
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Simply whisk together the marinade and inject it throughout the ham up to 24 hours before cooking.
Then follow the frying steps above for a remarkably juicy and tender deep fried ham with a crispy, caramelized exterior crust. The sweet and tangy marinade complements the salty ham perfectly.
For an extra crunch, you can also coat the ham in an herb breadcrumb mixture before dropping it carefully into the hot peanut oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to fry a whole ham?
Plan on frying for roughly 7-9 minutes per pound, so a 10 lb ham takes 70-90 minutes. Frozen hams may need an extra minute per pound.
What oil temperature should you use?
Heat peanut oil to 375°F and maintain as close to this temp as possible for optimal frying.
Is it safe to eat the skin after frying?
Yes, the crispy skin that forms on the exterior is totally edible and delicious! Just avoid any burnt portions.
Can you reuse turkey fryer oil?
Absolutely! Leftover peanut oil from deep frying a turkey works great for frying up a ham too.
Satisfy Holiday Crowds with Deep Fried Ham
A deep fried ham is sure to be the star of your holiday table! It delivers all the classic ham flavor we crave, intensified by the hot peanut oil that seals in juices and provides finger-licking crispy exterior.
Is Deep Frying Turkey Safe?
The short answer is: no, not really. In the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving cooking, house fires are bound to happen around the country. And working with a deep fat fryer only increases your odds.
“Thanksgiving, known for its extensive meal prep, holds the record for the most cooking-related fires of any day,” says Peter Duncanson, disaster preparedness expert at ServiceMaster Restore. “Unfortunately, the risk climbs even higher when deep-frying turkeys are involved.”
Hot, flammable cooking oil presents the primary risk, but there are several ways this preparation method can pose a safety hazard. Uneven surfaces and cooking with tools and mechanisms that are unsecured are dangerous as is, but add in a few gallons of hot oil and a large bird and you have an especially risky set-up.
Skin contact with large volumes of hot oil can cause severe burns. And if the oil comes in contact with an open flame, the potential property damage and risk of injury is even more serious. Many safety experts suggest steering clear of this cooking method entirely, but there are ways to minimize risk and successfully fry a turkey without things going awry.
“Its not as safe as other methods, but with proper preparation and doing it in the right location it can be safer,” says Matthew McIntyre, technician at the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department. Steve Dill, Captain of the North Plainfield Fire Department in New Jersey, says that deep frying can be a safe method “if you follow all the manufacturers instructions and safety guidelines.”