If youre planning to fry a whole turkey for the holidays this year, first pat yourself on the back for trying something new. Then familiarize yourself with cooking oil smoke points so you can get the best results with your fried turkey and stay safe during the process. Well walk you through some of the most common questions about turkey frying so you can handle your fryer like a pro.
As the holidays approach, many home cooks look to deep fry their Thanksgiving turkey for a quick, delicious, and foolproof main course. When done properly, deep frying yields a turkey with juicy, flavorful meat and an incredibly crispy, salty skin. But to achieve the ideal texture and taste, choosing the right oil is key.
So when it comes to deep frying turkey, what kind of oil should you use? Here’s a complete guide to picking the perfect oil for your holiday bird.
Why Deep Fry Your Turkey?
Deep frying may seem intimidating, but it produces remarkable results Here are some of the benefits of a deep fried turkey
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Moist, juicy meat – The hot oil cooks the turkey fast, sealing in juices so both white and dark meat turns out tender and succulent
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Crispy, salty skin – The hot oil transforms the skin into an ultra-crunchy, salty shell encasing the meat.
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Shorter cook time – A 12-15 pound turkey fries in 3-4 hours, while a comparable oven-roasted turkey takes 5-6 hours.
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Freed up oven space – Deep frying doesn’t heat up the kitchen like running the oven for hours.
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Unique flavor – The oil imparts a distinctive taste and texture beyond oven roasting.
So for fast, foolproof turkey with crispy skin and moist meat, deep frying is the way to go. Now let’s look at picking the ideal oil.
How to Choose the Best Oil for Frying Turkey
Selecting the right oil is crucial, as it acts as both cooking medium and flavoring agent. Here are key factors to consider:
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High smoke point – The smoke point is the temperature where oil starts to break down. For deep frying, choose an oil with a smoke point of 400°F or above.
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Neutral flavor – Pick a mild, neutral-tasting oil that highlights the natural turkey flavor.
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Health profile – Opt for oils low in saturated fat and high in mono- or polyunsaturated fats when possible.
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Affordability – You need lots of oil, so cost efficiency can help make your decision.
With those criteria in mind, let’s look at the top options for deep frying your holiday bird.
7 Best Oils for Deep Frying Turkey
1. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is hands-down the most popular choice for deep fried turkey. With its subtle, nutty flavor and 450°F smoke point, it perfectly suits the task. And it’s budget-friendly – no wonder peanut oil is the go-to for frying!
2. Safflower Oil
Thanks to its 510°F smoke point, safflower oil can withstand the high heat. It has a neutral taste to maintain the turkey’s natural flavors. And with its high monounsaturated fat content, it’s a healthier alternative. Just keep in mind the higher price point.
3. Sunflower Oil
Like safflower oil, sunflower oil offers health perks from vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. The light, clean taste won’t compete with the turkey’s flavors. And its 450°F smoke point gives excellent performance.
4. Canola Oil
With its 400°F smoke point, neutral flavor, and affordability, canola oil makes a great budget pick. Be sure to use refined canola oil, as unrefined has a lower smoke point.
5. Corn Oil
Offering a high smoke point of 450°F, corn oil provides a neutral flavor. The high polyunsaturated fat content offers some health benefits. Just know it can retain food flavors with reuse.
6. Soybean Oil
As an affordable, widely available oil with a 450°F smoke point, soybean oil is ready to fry. The light taste ensures the turkey’s flavors shine through.
7. Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil has a 450°F smoke point and mild flavor. With heart-healthy vitamin E and fatty acids, it provides health perks, too. And it utilizes a byproduct, making it sustainable. But the cost is higher than other vegetable oils.
While each oil has pros and cons, they can all help you succeed at deep frying your turkey.
Turkey Frying Safety Tips
While delivering delicious results, hot oil does pose splatter and fire risks. Follow these tips to fry safely:
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Use an electric turkey fryer for added control.
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Fry outside on a flat surface, away from structures and combustibles.
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Carefully monitor oil temperature and don’t overfill.
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Slowly lower the turkey into the hot oil to prevent splattering.
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Turn the flame off before removing the turkey.
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Allow used oil to fully cool before disposing.
With proper precautions, you can enjoy worry-free deep fried turkey.
Step-By-Step Guide to Deep Frying Turkey
Ready to fry? Just follow these simple steps:
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Thaw the turkey completely if frozen. Dry thoroughly with paper towels if fresh.
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Inject the turkey with broth or marinade if desired. Apply a dry rub inside and out.
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Pour oil into the electric fryer, filling to the level specified. Heat to 375°F.
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Lower the turkey slowly into the hot oil. Maintain 300-375°F temp and fry 3-4 minutes per pound.
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When breast meat reaches 165°F, slowly lift turkey from oil. Drain and let rest before slicing.
After cooking, allow oil to cool completely before disposing. Then carve your masterpiece and dig in!
Serving Your Deep Fried Turkey
You’ll want to showcase your deep fried feat. Consider these serving suggestions:
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Garnish the platter with fresh herb sprigs and celery leaves.
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Offer dipping sauces like barbecue, honey mustard and ranch.
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Pair with homemade biscuits, corn muffins or fried dough.
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Serve with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing and cranberry sauce.
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Use leftovers for amazing sandwiches, salads, pizza and more!
However you serve it up, your deep fried turkey will be the holiday table’s crowning glory.
The Takeaway on the Best Oil for Deep Frying Turkey
When deep frying turkey, choosing an oil with a high smoke point, neutral flavor, and health benefits is key. Top options include peanut, safflower, sunflower, canola, corn, soybean, and rice bran oils.
Follow proper safety steps, fry to 165°F, and you’ll have a spectacular, golden bird ready to wow your holiday guests!
How Much Oil to Fry a Turkey?
Theres an easy trick to figure out exactly how much cooking oil you need to deep fry your turkey. First, place the uncooked bird inside your fryer pot. Then, fill the pot with water until it covers the turkey or meets the maximum fill line on the inside of the pot. Pull out the turkey and make a note of the water level. Now, pour out the water and replace it with cooking oil, making sure to fill it to the same level.
Youll 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:
- 9 Pound Turkey – Use 3 to 4 gallons of oil and cook for 32 minutes.
- 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.
- 22 Pound Turkey * – Use 5 to 6 gallons of oil and cook for 3 minutes per pound.
*Note: For turkeys over 15 pounds, separate the white and dark meat before frying.
How Many Times Can You Reuse Peanut Oil?
When cared for and stored properly, you can reuse peanut oil three to five times within six months before you need to toss it out. Youll need to add fresh oil each time you deep fry a turkey to maintain the required oil level. Reusing the same peanut oil can impart a deeper, richer flavor to your turkeys, so the umami goodness will increase as you fry multiple turkeys for a Thanksgiving event.
What kind of oil do you use to fry a turkey?
FAQ
What is the best oil for deep frying a turkey?
- High smoke point: This means the oil can withstand high heat without burning, which is important when frying a turkey at a high temperature.
- Neutral flavor: Peanut oil won’t overpower the taste of the turkey.
- Widely available: You can easily find peanut oil in large quantities at most grocery stores.
Is it better to fry a turkey in canola oil or peanut oil?
You can use any type of oil to deep fry a turkey. I personally like to use peanut oil, but this is my preference. You could also use a blend of vegetable oils if desired. Canola oil works very well, and it is a lot less expensive.
What is a good substitute for peanut oil when frying a turkey?
If you’re looking to replace the ingredient, the best alternative for peanut oil is sesame oil which shares a similar nutty flavour. However, if it’s for frying and you need an oil with similar cooking characteristics, your best bet is sunflower, grapeseed or canola oil.
Is 2 gallons of peanut oil enough to fry a turkey?
You’ll need approximately 5 gallons of oil; more for larger turkeys.