Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey

Name: Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 10 h 20 min
Yield: 20
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons black pepper; 1 tablespoon ground chipotle chiles or ground red pepper (cayenne); 1 tablespoon white pepper; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg; 1 tablespoon salt; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper; 1 whole turkey (10 to 12 lb), thawed if frozen; 1 poultry or meat injector; 1 turkey deep-fryer, consisting of 40- to 60-quart pot with basket, burner and propane tank; 5 gallons peanut, canola or safflower oil

Ingredients:17
Servings:20

Betty Crocker Kitchens(Opens in a new tab)Updated 11/01/2021

Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey

Ingredients:17
Servings:20

You haven't had turkey until you've had our Cajun deep-fried turkey. So let's talk about how to deep-fry a turkey; it's easier than you think, and we're with you every step of the way! We could go on and on about the benefits of deep-fried turkey... the skin is crispy and the meat is beyond juicy, it's super flavorful and it frees up valuable oven space! Do we need to go on? Between the rub and the marinade, our Cajun fried turkey makes dry turkey is a thing of the past. Trust us, you're going to want to make this for Thanksgiving!

Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey

Prep time:1 hr 15 min
Total time:10 hr 20 min
Ingredients:17
Servings:20
Calories per serving:335

Ingredient

Cajun Spice Rub

2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon ground chipotle chiles or ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon salt

Cajun Marinade

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Turkey

1 whole turkey (10 to 12 lb), thawed if frozen
1 poultry or meat injector
1 turkey deep-fryer, consisting of 40- to 60-quart pot with basket, burner and propane tank
5 gallons peanut, canola or safflower oil

Instructions

Step 1
Read the Turkey Deep-Frying Do's and Don'ts (below). In small bowl, mix all spice rub ingredients until blended; set aside. In shallow glass or plastic bowl, mix all marinade ingredients until salt is dissolved; set aside.

Step 2
Remove giblets and neck from turkey; rinse turkey well with cold water; pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Take extra care to dry both inside cavities, because water added to hot oil can cause excessive bubbling. To allow for good oil circulation through the cavity, do not tie legs together. Cut off wing tips and tail because they can get caught in the fryer basket. Place turkey in large pan.

Step 3
Rub inside and outside of turkey with spice rub. Inject marinade into turkey, following directions that came with injector. Cover turkey in pan; place in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.

Step 4
Place outdoor gas burner on level dirt or grassy area. Add oil to cooking pot until about 2/3 full. Clip deep-fry thermometer to edge of pot. At medium-high setting, heat oil to 375°F. (May take 20 to 40 minutes depending on outside temperature, wind and weather conditions.) Place turkey, neck end down, on basket or rack. When deep-fry thermometer reaches 375°F, slowly lower turkey into hot oil. Level of oil will rise due to frothing caused by moisture from turkey but will stabilize in about 1 minute.

Step 5
Immediately check oil temperature; increase flame so oil temperature is maintained at 350°F. If temperature drops to 340°F or below, oil will begin to seep into turkey.

Step 6
Fry turkey about 3 to 4 minutes per pound, or about 35 to 42 minutes for 10- to 12-pound turkey. Stay with fryer at all times because heat may need to be regulated throughout frying.

Step 7
At minimum frying time, carefully remove turkey to check for doneness. A meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast should read 170°F. If inserted into thigh, it should read 180°F. If necessary, return turkey to oil and continue cooking. When turkey is done, let drain a few minutes.

Step 8
1. Remove turkey from rack; place on serving platter. Cover with foil; let stand 20 minutes for easier carving.Turkey Deep-Frying Do's and Don'ts: We want your turkey-frying experience to be successful, especially if it's your first time, so we’ve gathered these important reminders. Please take a moment to read them before getting ready for a great-tasting feast. Do's: Follow the use-and-care directions for your deep-fryer when deep-frying turkey, and review all safety tips. Place the fryer on a level dirt or grassy area away from the house or garage. Never fry a turkey indoors, including in a garage or any other structure attached to a building. Use only oils with high smoke points, such as peanut, canola or safflower oil. Wear old shoes that you can slip out of easily and long pants just in case you do spill some oil on you. Immediately wash hands, utensils, equipment and surfaces that have come in contact with the raw turkey. Have a fire extinguisher nearby for added safety. Serve the turkey right after cooking, and store leftovers in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Allow the oil to cool completely before disposing of it or storing it. Don'ts:
2. Never fry on wooden decks or other structures that could catch fire, and don’t fry on concrete, which could be stained by the oil. Never leave the hot oil unattended, and do not allow children or pets near the cooking area.

Recipe Tips

For best results use cooking oils that can withstand high temperatures when deep-frying. Peanut, canola and safflower oils are top of our list!
To learn more about deep-frying turkeys, visit the National Turkey Federation Web site at www.eatturkey.org.
For this fried turkey recipe, you will need 2 different types of thermometers. A candy thermometer or deep-frying thermometer should be used to measure the temperature of the oil because of the higher temperature range. For the turkey, an instant-read or meat thermometer should be used to give you an accurate reading of the cooked turkey.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
335
Total Fat
21 g
Protein
36 g
Total Carbohydrate
0g

Servings: 20

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Amount Per Serving Calories : 335

Nutrition Facts
Food Component / Nutrient	Amount	% , Daily Value*
Total Fat	21 g	% Value Not Available
Saturated Fat	5 g	% Value Not Available
Cholesterol	100 mg	% Value Not Available
Sodium	800 mg	% Value Not Available
Total Carbohydrate	0g	% Value Not Available
Dietary Fiber	0g	% Value Not Available
Protein	36 g	% Value Not Available
Vitamin D	Value Not Available	0%
Calcium	Value Not Available	0%
Iron	Value Not Available	10%
Potassium	300 mg	% Value Not Available
Vitamin A	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin C	Value Not Available	0%
Folic Acid	Value Not Available	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Exchanges

Lean Meat 5 ,
Fat 1

Loading component...

Suggested Categories

Category
Alfredo Recipes
Alfredo sauce is one of our favorite accompaniments to pasta dishes; it’s rich, creamy, and pairs perfectly with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Category
Apple Dinner Recipes
Whether tossed in a salad or adding sweet, juicy flavor to slow-cooked roasts, apples are an ideal addition to any of these savory meals.
Category
Baked Chicken Recipes
Whether it’s part of spicy fajitas or it stand alone next to corn on the cob at your next summer barbecue, baked chicken is easy and pleasing with our must-make recipes that incorporate mouth-watering seasonings like garlic, cayenne, paprika and parmesan.
Category
Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes
The quintessential comfort food is even better baked. Next time you need to serve up something warm and cheesy, let these baked mac and cheese recipes be your guide.

Loading component...

Suggested Recipes

Southwestern Turkey
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 2 reviews.
Cajun Catfish
4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 19 reviews.
Herb Roasted Turkey
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Tennessee Hot Fried Chicken Tenders
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 33 reviews.
Fried Green Tomatoes
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 1 reviews.
Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 3 reviews.

Loading component...

Bake Up Something Special

Nothing warms a room quite like a warm oven. Make something special for birthdays, anniversaries, or an after-dinner snack with baking recipes sent right to your inbox.

Recipe Tips

For best results use cooking oils that can withstand high temperatures when deep-frying. Peanut, canola and safflower oils are top of our list!

To learn more about deep-frying turkeys, visit the National Turkey Federation Web site at www.eatturkey.org.

For this fried turkey recipe, you will need 2 different types of thermometers. A candy thermometer or deep-frying thermometer should be used to measure the temperature of the oil because of the higher temperature range. For the turkey, an instant-read or meat thermometer should be used to give you an accurate reading of the cooked turkey.

Nutrition Facts

Food Component / Nutrient

Amount

% , Daily Value*

Total Fat

21 g

% Value Not Available

Saturated Fat

5 g

% Value Not Available

Cholesterol

100 mg

% Value Not Available

Sodium

800 mg

% Value Not Available

Total Carbohydrate

% Value Not Available

Dietary Fiber

% Value Not Available

Protein

36 g

% Value Not Available

Vitamin D

Value Not Available

Calcium

Value Not Available

Iron

Value Not Available

10%

Potassium

300 mg

% Value Not Available

Vitamin A

Value Not Available

Vitamin C

Value Not Available

Folic Acid

Value Not Available

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Loading component...

Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey

Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey

Southern-Style Deep-Fried Turkey