OT: Frying the Thanksgiving Turkey

[RUshore99]

I've always enjoyed a fried turkey on Thanksgiving. I love the way it comes out with lots of flavor and crispyness. It's been awhile since we've hosted on Thanksgiving and therefore it's also been awhile since I've been able to break out my fryer. I'll be using a simple backyard propane burner system with a 30 quart pot. I know the process around defrosting, drying and prepping the bird. I'm looking for advice on two things:

1) Who has the best deals on peanut oil?

2) Any favorite seasoning, brines, injections, etc for the most flavorful fried turkey?

TIA! Gobble, Gobble

 

[miker183]

I've gotten decent deals on peanut oil at Costco. Cannot guarantee what today's prices look like.

I prefer injection to brine. A few years back did a Cajun injection; I loved it but not for everyone. If injecting, be careful with the herbs in some recipes as they can sometimes clog the needle.

Bon Appétit!

 

[kupuna133]

I've always enjoyed a fried turkey on Thanksgiving. I love the way it comes out with lots of flavor and crispyness. It's been awhile since we've hosted on Thanksgiving and therefore it's also been awhile since I've been able to break out my fryer. I'll be using a simple backyard propane burner system with a 30 quart pot. I know the process around defrosting, drying and prepping the bird. I'm looking for advice on two things:

1) Who has the best deals on peanut oil?

2) Any favorite seasoning, brines, injections, etc for the most flavorful fried turkey?

TIA! Gobble, Gobble

Agree with post above.

Costco or Sam’s had the best prices onnPeanut oil. Restaurant depot wasn’t any cheaper. Prefer injection over brining for frying. Roasting prefer brining. Easier to concentrate and lock in flavor with injection when frying.

 

[RUBubba]

Be sure to fill the fryer to very top before dropping in a frozen turkey. Best to do this very close to the house, maybe inside the garage.

Most important, turn your phone sideways when videoing....

 

[Plum Street]

Be sure to fill the fryer to very top before dropping in a frozen turkey. Best to do this very close to the house, maybe inside the garage.

Most important, turn your phone sideways when videoing....

Ha I hope someone doesn’t read this and try it !

 

[RUshore99]

Be sure to fill the fryer to very top before dropping in a frozen turkey. Best to do this very close to the house, maybe inside the garage.

Most important, turn your phone sideways when videoing....

Noted!

 

[Scarlet16e2]

The Fried Turkey is very good.
But no stuffing! Deal breaker.

 

[bethlehemfan]

I've always enjoyed a fried turkey on Thanksgiving. I love the way it comes out with lots of flavor and crispyness. It's been awhile since we've hosted on Thanksgiving and therefore it's also been awhile since I've been able to break out my fryer. I'll be using a simple backyard propane burner system with a 30 quart pot. I know the process around defrosting, drying and prepping the bird. I'm looking for advice on two things:

1) Who has the best deals on peanut oil?

2) Any favorite seasoning, brines, injections, etc for the most flavorful fried turkey?

TIA! Gobble, Gobble

Costco but they may not have any. I strain Italian dressing and inject and season with salt and pepper and sneak onion powder garlic and cayenne when nobody is looking but you obviously don’t have to do the onion garlic and cayenne.

 

[bigmatt718]

Always make sure the turkey is completely dethawed. You don't want to spend Thanksgiving in the ER or explaining to the insurance company why your house got burned to the ground.

 

[WhiteBus]

I use Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning. Apply it the day before both on the outside and inside the cavity. If you are only using the oil once or just a few times then you over spending on the oil. Peanut oil has a high smoke point so it can handle a lot of cooking before you have to replace it. It doesn't impact any flavor into the turkey. Cheaper oils can be used. I've cooked as many as 18 turkeys on a single Thanksgiving for friends and neighbors using three pots (with peanut oil). I don't do that anymore as I move and switched to the electric table top version. The best thing about them is it is some much easier to clean then the pots! However, just because some say it's safe to use inside DON'T unless you want your house smelling like oil for months

 

[yesrutgers01]

Hmmmmm- almost makes me want to see if the wife can come up with a good jerk seasoning to inject the bird with.

 

[WhiteBus]

The Fried Turkey is very good.
But no stuffing! Deal breaker.

You can make stuffing on the stove, you know.
Cooking stuffing inside the turkey can be dangerous. You can't make a juicy turkey and safe stuffing at the same time.

 

[Tango Two]

I've always enjoyed a fried turkey on Thanksgiving. I love the way it comes out with lots of flavor and crispyness. It's been awhile since we've hosted on Thanksgiving and therefore it's also been awhile since I've been able to break out my fryer. I'll be using a simple backyard propane burner system with a 30 quart pot. I know the process around defrosting, drying and prepping the bird. I'm looking for advice on two things:

1) Who has the best deals on peanut oil?

2) Any favorite seasoning, brines, injections, etc for the most flavorful fried turkey?

TIA! Gobble, Gobble

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/threads/ot-deep-frying-a-turkey.133621/

 

[RUPete]

You can make stuffing on the stove, you know.
Cooking stuffing inside the turkey can be dangerous. You can't make a juicy turkey and safe stuffing at the same time.

When I have made it, start on the stove and finish it off a bit in the oven. Comes out great.

 

[gef21]

I am a full dry rub guy and cook the bird upside down in the oven. No brine needed.

 

[RULoyal]

I am a full dry rub guy and cook the bird upside down in the oven. No brine needed.

I tried brining the bird last year. I used a prepackaged brine and followed the directions. Made the bird very salty, at least for my taste.

 

[Scarlet16e2]

You can make stuffing on the stove, you know.
Cooking stuffing inside the turkey can be dangerous. You can't make a juicy turkey and safe stuffing at the same time.

You can make stuffing outside the bird, but not really.
Best saved for the "extra" stuffing.
I've never had a Thanksgiving without stuffing in the bird. Get out of here with the nanny-state advice about the "danger" of stuffing the bird.

And if you brine the turkey you will always have a juicy bird and delicious stuffing.
Also, the Turkey cooks in 2/3 the time.
Or buy a bird that is already brined (Trader Joes has a very good fresh brined turkey).

 

[T2Kplus20]

Deep frying a turkey always seemed like a bad idea (unless you are a very experienced cook).

 

[WhiteBus]

Deep frying a turkey always seemed like a bad idea (unless you are a very experienced cook).

Very simple rules to follow. 20 pound turkey takes an hour. The best turkey there is!

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

If I burn my house down, I won't have to spend the day with my mother-in-law....

 

[RUevolution36]

Hmmmmm- almost makes me want to see if the wife can come up with a good jerk seasoning to inject the bird with.

you can create the jerk marinade in a brine before hand and inject that.

 

[gef21]

You can make stuffing outside the bird, but not really.
Best saved for the "extra" stuffing.
I've never had a Thanksgiving without stuffing in the bird. Get out of here with the nanny-state advice about the "danger" of stuffing the bird.

And if you brine the turkey you will always have a juicy bird and delicious stuffing.
Also, the Turkey cooks in 2/3 the time.
Or buy a bird that is already brined (Trader Joes has a very good fresh brined turkey).

I make the stuffing outside of the bird, because I stuff the bird with aromatics for cooking. Also stuffing inside the bird is never enough for 13-16 people.

I bake two sourdough loaves a few days before thanksgiving and then the day before I cut them into small cubes and let them sit over night in the cast iron. On thanksgiving I saute a bunch carrots, onions, celery and mix that with herbs (rosemary, and sage from the garden) and stock that I make thanksgiving morning. I then bake that in the oven.

 

[yesrutgers01]

you can create the jerk marinade in a brine before hand and inject that.

Sometimes I miss it but we rarely even do a turkey on TG anymore. Unless someone new is coming over and they are set on Turkey. When my wife used to do a turkey for me- we never ended up even touching that day as the table also had jerk pork shoulder, Oxtail, Curry Chick or goat, red snapper, stewed(browned) chicken etc...

 

[Scarlet16e2]

In all honesty, for me it’s all about the sandwiches the next day (or even later on Thanksgiving if we eat dinner early).

 

[RUevolution36]

Sometimes I miss it but we rarely even do a turkey on TG anymore. Unless someone new is coming over and they are set on Turkey. When my wife used to do a turkey for me- we never ended up even touching that day as the table also had jerk pork shoulder, Oxtail, Curry Chick or goat, red snapper, stewed(browned) chicken etc...

can I get an invite? I'd much prefer that spread to a turkey oriented one.

my SIL is hosting this year and i'm dreading the turkey aspect of it. not really a huge fan of a whole bird. i've done roasted whole turkey breasts in a variety of flavors to keep to the spirit and traditions of the holiday, but man, would much prefer oxtails and curry to that.

 

[yesrutgers01]

can I get an invite? I'd much prefer that spread to a turkey oriented one.

my SIL is hosting this year and i'm dreading the turkey aspect of it. not really a huge fan of a whole bird. i've done roasted whole turkey breasts in a variety of flavors to keep to the spirit and traditions of the holiday, but man, would much prefer oxtails and curry to that.

Not to brag but my wife is also the Jamaican woman that the other Jamaicans go out of their way for her food. No one ever showed her but she learned by watching her grand mother and Dad cook when she was a kid.
Oxtail rice and peas has pretty much become our family go to for holidays and birthdays.

 

[koleszar]

I prefer injection to brine. A few years back did a Cajun injection; I loved it but not for everyone.t!

My brother-in-law is from Trinidad and Tobago, the best advice I ever gave him was, "remember you're not cooking for yourself rather others". He's a real good cook, but the spices? My God, he had the whole family running to the fridge for milk.

 

[yesrutgers01]

My brother-in-law is from Trinidad and Tobago, the best advice I ever gave him was, "remember you're not cooking for yourself rather others". He's a real good cook, but the spices? My God, the whole family was running to the fridge for milk.

If my wife or her sister are cooking and you hear them say they lost the pepper- look out lol

 

[Southern Gentleman]

I have done dozens of fried turkeys over the years.

Thaw the turkey. Brine it, inject it, or not at all; your choice. Put the turkey in the fryer pot, fill the pot with water until the turkey is fully immersed, neck side down. Pull the turkey out and dry completely, including the inside. Mark the level inside the pot with a pencil where the oil level should be to immerse the turkey. Discard the water and dry the pot. Heat the oil to 350 degrees. SLOWLY lower the turkey in the oil and cook for 3.25 minutes per pound. If the turkey is not completely dry you will get oil splatter and might cause a MAJOR screw-up. Make sure that you are away from your house at least several feet.

Enjoy.

 

[RU848789]

Sometimes I miss it but we rarely even do a turkey on TG anymore. Unless someone new is coming over and they are set on Turkey. When my wife used to do a turkey for me- we never ended up even touching that day as the table also had jerk pork shoulder, Oxtail, Curry Chick or goat, red snapper, stewed(browned) chicken etc...

Never liked TG dinner food (love the holiday, hate most of the food; I'm sure the annual TG food thread is coming soon, lol) and our son feels the same way, so we tend to do something like steaks or roasted chicken. We'll still do Stove Top stuffing (maybe the best boxed food item one can buy) and my wife's mac & cheese and a few other sides on years we're hosting, but last year, when he was with his girlfriend's family for TG, we spent a few days in DC (where my wife's older, spinster sister lives) and went out for TG dinner.

 

[bac2therac]

Turkey is awesome as are all the other Thanksgiving sides

 

[yesrutgers01]

Never liked TG dinner food (love the holiday, hate most of the food; I'm sure the annual TG food thread is coming soon, lol) and our son feels the same way, so we tend to do something like steaks or roasted chicken. We'll still do Stove Top stuffing (maybe the best boxed food item one can buy) and my wife's mac & cheese and a few other sides on years we're hosting, but last year, when he was with his girlfriend's family for TG, we spent a few days in DC (where my wife's older, spinster sister lives) and went out for TG dinner.

I still like turkey, stuffing mashed potato’s and all and sandwiches after…but, that bird takes up too much room and it would mean my wife would have to skip the jerk pork shoulder. Lol
And it’s funny, my kids and my white *** family, when they come over, they don’t miss the turkey at all. But if they want it- the rule is, cook it at home and bring it with you. Our sides kick *** too. She will do stuffing and mac&cheese as traditional but the rice and peas, plantains, fried dumplings or festival - I’m getting hungry now.

 

[fg7321]

I'm smoking a turkey this year. Maybe do a breast first time not sure. If i do the whole bird I would spatchcock sp? it.

 

[kupuna133]

I still like turkey, stuffing mashed potato’s and all and sandwiches after…but, that bird takes up too much room and it would mean my wife would have to skip the jerk pork shoulder. Lol
And it’s funny, my kids and my white *** family, when they come over, they don’t miss the turkey at all. But if they want it- the rule is, cook it at home and bring it with you. Our sides kick *** too. She will do stuffing and mac&cheese as traditional but the rice and peas, plantains, fried dumplings or festival - I’m getting hungry now.

Will have 30 at my house for Thanksgiving. Roast a 30 lb turkey and make a 15lb Lechon asado (Cuban style pork butt). The pork Started out as a small side dish (last minute protein when 5 additional guests said they were coming a day before) 4 lber but has grown in popularity where most of the men eat the pork and women and kids eat the turkey. Love both as leftover sandwich options.

 

[rurichdog]

Peanut oil is $40/3gal at Shoprite

 

[bethlehemfan]

I'm smoking a turkey this year. Maybe do a breast first time not sure. If i do the whole bird I would spatchcock sp? it.

Gonna smoke one this year as well as fry and bake one. I smoked a breast and wasn’t thrilled with it. Hoping a natural bird with bones and whatnot will be good

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Gonna smoke one this year as well as fry and bake one. I smoked a breast and wasn’t thrilled with it. Hoping a natural bird with bones and whatnot will be good

Meat comes out good but skin is slop.

 

[kupuna133]

Meat comes out good but skin is slop.

Agreed with a pure smoke and only smoke. Spoke with a guy that was on a competitive bbq team who won for smoked chicken and his secret was smoking for flavor and render fat and finishing on high heat grill to crisp skin and to bring to temp.

 

[Kbee3]

Sometimes I miss it but we rarely even do a turkey on TG anymore. Unless someone new is coming over and they are set on Turkey. When my wife used to do a turkey for me- we never ended up even touching that day as the table also had jerk pork shoulder, Oxtail, Curry Chick or goat, red snapper, stewed(browned) chicken etc...

No callaloo ?

 

[yesrutgers01]

No callaloo ?

not usually for Thanksgiving meal. Though, for breakfast she does an Ackie and Saltfish with dumplings and plantains.
Funny thing about what they call come of our foods- Chayote - she uses it a lot but in Jamaica, they will call it Cho-cho
You should see when she asks for Cho-cho in the Dominican store we usually get out meats at.

When they first arrived in Paterson at 18- her brother went into one of the small local stores(Hispanic store of some sort) and he is asking the girl behind the window where he can find some cho cho lol