Deep frying turkey

[Browning83]

Just wondering how long you deep fry a turkey for. My buddy said 4 mins per pound of the bird and just wondering if thats right or not. Also any ideas for extra flavor (inject with anything or rub it at all)

[CFRay]

Four (4) minutes per pound at 350. Watch the temp., keep it close to 350 during the cooking time. I've used Cajun Injector products and a cajun spice rub. Both are tasty. The injector leaves some residual taste in the oil if you plan to filter it and re-use it. An oil that contains some peanut oil adds a nice taste with nothing else added. Good Luck!

[gman2002]

i'd say 4 min a lb. is a little much. i go 2 1/2 min per lb.but the trick is keeping the temp at about 375. also i always inject with a garlic butter, but there are all dif flavors. u should always inject with something. and i also season the outside real well with season salt and garlic salt. before i drop in the turkey i'll drop in a bunch of breaded mushrooms or a big batch of beer battered onion rins for something to munch on while the bird is cooking. have fun

[Kidd]

Depends on the size of the bird. If it's less than 10 pounds I go 3 min a pound, greater than 10 I up it to 3 1/2 mins.

Also, I bring my oil up to 400 degrees and then drop the bird in VERY SLOWLY. You'll see the temp drop to around 325 - 350 by the time the bird is fully submersed. I then try to keep the heat between 350 - 375.

Like was mentioned in an earlier post, keep your eye on the temp.

Good Luck

[ice_shack]

If it's a range bird with hardly any fat then go with the 2 1/2 min a lb but if your cooking a butter ball then 3 - 3 1/2. Just don't get a bird bigger than 15 lbs. Injecting is the way to go because it cooks so fast. You can get the stuff anywhere, even Menards (boy have they turned that into a girlie store).

I know this is probably something you already know but I gotta say it DO NOT use vegetable oil in the fryer. More homes burn down every year by somebody making this mistake. Use peanut oil because it has a much higher smoke point.

[Snow Fish]

I usually cook mine at 3 1/2 minutes per pound for a 10-15lb bird. I like using the injector and spice rub as well. As was said before, it helps to have the oil above 350 degrees before dropping it in. I usually start with 390 degrees as that is as high as the peanut oil I use is rated for. After that, keep it as close to 350 as you can. In my opinion there is no better way to make a turkey!

[Browning83]

Thanks for the info guys....looking forward to cooking that bird up. I just got to eat up last springs bird cause planning on getting another in a few weeks(I just jinxed myself) I'll let you guys know how it turns out

[MNmikew]

I've never had much luck deep frying a bird that was over 15 lbs. I usually stick to 12-13 pounder. 3 mins a pound at 350, comes out nice and golden. Try to keep it at EXACTLY 350 if your using veggy oil else the bird will be black on the outside, though still great on inside. Peanut oil works better but is much more $$.

[rmh2o]

Do you guys reuse your oil and if you do do you have to refridgerate it and how long will it keep.What kills me is spending $20 for oil to cook a $5 bird.I usually try to get a few people together and do 2-3 birds then pitch the oil.

[doubleUcubed]

Make sure the bird it totally thawed and patted dry! If a little bit of the inside of the bird is still frozen you will have a blow up of the oil after lowering the bird into the oil and mostly likely a fire!

[ice_shack]

Heck yah I keep the oil! I'll do better than 25 birds before it gets tossed. Actually I throw out a little each time I use it. Wait for everything to settle then pour it back into the container till you hit the crud. That part I get rid of. Try to cook up a bunch of fries or tater tots last, it helps keep the oil cleaner.

I don't refrigerate it and nobodys got sick yet. I've been deep fryin birds for 7 or 8 years now. Course I will probably here about the dangers on this one but not much survives oil at 375 deg.

If you use veggie oil your workin on borrowed time. I seen my neighbors towering inferno. He was doing fine until some oil came splashing out and lit the thing up like a bonfire. Peanut oil is a lot cheaper than a new house!

[MNmikew]

I get my veggie oil at sams club for about $10 a jug (35 lbs). I never save veggie oil, peanut oil yes, to much $$ to throw out after one bird. Anyone use those battery operated pumps that Gander sells to transfer the oil from pot to jug?

[Roop-Dogg]

what is the rule of thumb on determining the right amount of oil to use???

how to anticipate the exact amount that just covers the size of turkey you are cooking???

[Finns]

Put bird in empty pot, cover with water, take bird out leaving all the water in pot. Mark top of waterline. That is at least how much oil you need.

Dry pot and bird before putting oil and bird back into the pot.

[Fowlguy]

I have a pump from gander & it works fine

[Roop-Dogg]

how do you put the turkey into and take out of the hot oil without splashing etc.??? also, i assume that the turkey is somehow suspended during the cooking process???? i have a brinkman all-in-one smoker that includes a deep fryer. there was no accessary with it for dunking, removal, suspending etc.

any help appreciated. thank you

[MNmikew]

My King Cooker brand came with a platform thing that the bird sits on with a bar that comes out the top of the bird. You then use this triange hook think to raise/lower the bird into the oil. You can probably pick these up seperately at Gander. Make sure you mark your pot BEFORE putting oil into it. Do this by putting in the bird and filling pot with water till bird is submerged. Mark pot and empty water(towel dry pot and bird). Fill pot to mark on pot with oil. Too much oil is the main cause of fires with these things. NEVER use indoors, including garages, sheds, decks, ect. I use mine on a patio slab well away from any combustibles.