If you want to serve a turkey that will steal the show this holiday season, look no further than my Fried Turkey Recipe! The inside will be so juicy and tender, and the outside will be so crispy, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered to roast it in the oven in the first place. This bird is given a tasty homemade injection and then rubbed with cajun seasoning, making for an out-of-this-world holiday experience!
My daddy has been frying our Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey for the last ten years. Once we had the first taste, we never went back. Don’t worry if the thought of deep-frying scares you. This guide is both a recipe and a “how-to” guide. My homemade turkey injection marinade is so full of flavor it will make your taste buds dance! I’ll walk you through the whole process step by step.
The goodness doesn’t stop there. Not just any turkey is going to be fried; we’re adding a mix of cajun spices to it to make it taste more like the South. Peanut oil, the king of oils, is used in this recipe to get that crispy, golden outside that you know from a good fried turkey. Please put on your apron and join the party, because if you’ve been looking for the best fried turkey recipe, you’ve just found it!
This guide on how to fry turkey is fun, friendly, and oh so tasty, whether you’ve done it before or this is your first time. Happy Thanksgiving y’all!.
Warning: Frying a turkey is an extremely dangerous undertaking. There are steps that can be taken to lower the risk, but you can’t just heat up a bunch of oil and dunk a turkey in it without hurting yourself or other people. Be sure to follow the safety guidelines provided below.
Frying turkey has become an increasingly popular cooking method, especially around the holidays. It yields an incredibly moist, juicy, and flavorful bird with deliciously crispy skin. But to take your fried turkey to the next level, you need to learn the secret of injecting it with a flavorful marinade before cooking This technique infuses the meat with extra taste and ensures it stays nice and juicy when fried
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about injecting a turkey before frying, from ideal timing to top marinade recipes. Let’s get started!
Why Inject Your Turkey Before Frying?
Injecting a turkey before cooking allows you to directly infuse flavor deep into the meat. This not only enhances the taste, but also helps keep the turkey moist during frying. The injection liquid permeates the meat, seasoning it from the inside out.
Some of the benefits of injecting before frying include:
- Adds extra flavor that evenly distributes throughout the meat
- Helps retain moisture so the turkey doesn’t dry out
- Tenderizes the meat, resulting in a more succulent texture
- Allows you to easily add seasoning, herbs, broths, etc.
- Takes your fried turkey from basic to gourmet
When is the Best Time to Inject?
I recommend injecting the turkey the night before you plan to fry, but it can be done as soon as one hour in advance. I’ve found that the flavor is more intense if you allow it to set overnight in the fridge.
Here is a breakdown of optimal injection times:
- 24 hours before: Best time frame for maximum flavor infusion
- 12 hours before: Great for allowing flavors to meld overnight
- 4-8 hours before: Sufficient time for marinade to penetrate meat
- 1 hour before: Minimum time needed for infusion of flavor
The longer you can marinate with the injection the better. But even just 60 minutes makes a noticeable difference compared to no injection at all.
How to Inject a Turkey for Frying
Before injecting, make sure your turkey is fully thawed. Then pat the outside dry, as any moisture can cause hot oil to splatter during frying.
Next, prepare your injection marinade. Options include broth, melted butter, fruit juices, vinegar, olive oil, wine, and homemade spice blends. Get creative and use flavors you enjoy!
Then, load the injection marinade into a turkey injector, which looks like a large hypodermic needle. Insert the injector about 2 inches deep into the thickest parts of the breast, thighs, and drumsticks. Slowly press the plunger to release the marinade into the meat.
Be careful not to over-inject, as too much liquid can cause hot oil to splatter dangerously. As a general rule, inject 1 ounce of liquid per pound of turkey. Refrigerate after injecting and fry as desired.
Pro turkey injecting tips:
- Inject marinade slowly to prevent splatter leaks
- Wipe away excess marinade from injection holes
- Inject into the deep muscle, not just under the skin
- Recap injection holes with sealing glue to prevent leaks
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour post-injection before frying
5 Best Marinade Injection Recipes
From basic broths to gourmet flavors, here are 5 delicious marinade options to inject your turkey with:
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Classic Herb Butter – The rich flavor of melted butter with lemon, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. A simple way to add moisture and taste.
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Brown Sugar Bourbon – For sweetness and a kick, combine brown sugar, bourbon, maple syrup, cayenne, garlic, and black pepper.
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Citrus Soy Glaze – Mix soy sauce, orange juice, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic for a tangy Asian-inspired marinade.
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Creole Cajun Spices – Capture the flavor of New Orleans with a marinade of Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, bell peppers, onion, celery, and chicken broth.
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Apple Cider Infusion – For a fruity twist, inject apple cider, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
Feel free to customize your own marinade with your favorite flavors and spices! Get creative.
Tips for Frying Your Injected Turkey
Here are some key tips to fry your marinated turkey to crispy, golden brown perfection:
- Heat oil to 350°F – 375°F for optimal frying temperature
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temp continuously
- Carefully lower turkey into hot oil using a frying rig
- Fry for approximately 3-4 minutes per pound
- Double check internal temp before removing (165°F thigh, 175°F breast)
- Allow turkey to rest 20+ minutes before slicing into it
- Take proper safety precautions, never leave the fryer unattended, and be prepared with a fire extinguisher just in case.
Get Perfectly Fried Turkey Every Time
Learning how to properly inject a turkey before frying makes all the difference in flavor, texture, and moisture. With the right technique and a delicious homemade marinade, you’ll get phenomenally juicy, tender turkey with an extra kick of flavor.
Be sure to inject at least 1 hour in advance, but optimally the day before cooking. Customize your marinade, allowing time for the flavors to permeate the meat before frying. Follow these tips and you’ll have the star of the table this holiday season. Enjoy your incredible fried turkey!
Expert Tips and Tricks for making the best fried turkey recipe
- Quality Turkey: Start with a quality bird, y’all. The better the turkey, the better the end result. Before you start the process, make sure it’s no longer frozen and is at room temperature.
- When to Inject: At least a few hours before frying, inject the marinade into the meat so that the flavors can soak in. It’s even better if you can do it up to 24 hours ahead of time!
- Dry it Well: Before frying the turkey, dry it all the way through, inside and out. Any extra water can make that oil act up, and we don’t want it to splash right now, do we?
- Temperature Check: Monitor your oil temperature closely. For a crispy outside and a juicy inside, keep the temperature steady between 350°F and 375°F.
What to serve with Cajun fried turkey
- Not Butter: If you can’t have dairy, don’t use butter for the injection. Instead, use a high-smoke oils like avocado oil.
- Herbs and Spices: To make your turkey injection taste even better, add some fresh thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika.
- Seasoning Blends: If you don’t like Cajun, you could make your own turkey rub, BBQ rub, lemon-pepper seasoning, or even the classic herbes de Provence.
- Canola or sunflower oil also work well, though they might change the taste a little.
When should you inject a turkey before frying?
FAQ
How to prep a turkey for deep frying?
Do you fry a turkey at 325 or 350?
Should I let my turkey sit out before deep frying?
Should I brine a turkey before I deep fry it?
When should you inject a Turkey before frying?
The best time to inject a turkey before frying is about 30 minutes before it goes into the fryer. This will give the injection liquid enough time to penetrate the turkey meat and flavor it evenly. It is important to make sure that you use a sharp needle when injecting the turkey. This will help to prevent the meat from tearing.
When should you inject a Turkey?
The best time to inject your turkey is before cooking. However, the exact timing can vary based on how you plan to cook it, whether frying, baking, roasting, or smoking. For instance, inject the turkey about 5 minutes to a day in advance if you’re frying. If you’re smoking it, inject it up to 24 hours beforehand.
How do you inject a deep fried turkey?
To inject the turkey, first thaw the turkey completely. Then, using a sharp needle, inject the injection into the turkey’s breast, thigh, and leg muscles. Be sure to inject the injection evenly throughout the turkey. Q: How long do I deep fry a turkey? A: The cooking time for a deep fried turkey will vary depending on the size of the turkey.
How long before frying a Turkey should you cook it?
For frying, injecting the turkey anywhere from 5 minutes up to 24 hours before cooking is ideal. However, for optimal flavor, aim to do so about 2 hours prior. This recommendation holds true whether you’re pan-frying or deep-frying. Keep the frying temperature at a steady 175°C (347°F). To ensure perfect cooking, consider using a meat thermometer.
Why do you need a deep fry Turkey injection?
* Speed: Deep fry turkey injection can help to speed up the cooking process. This is because the liquid helps to heat the turkey evenly. There are a few risks associated with deep fry turkey injection, including: * Fire: Deep frying turkey can be dangerous if it is not done properly.
Can you inject a Turkey After brining?
If you are planning to brine your turkey, you can inject it after brining. This will help to ensure that the meat is evenly seasoned. When injecting a turkey, it is important to use a sharp needle and to inject the meat in several places. This will help to distribute the marinade evenly throughout the bird.