Deep-Fried Turkey

This recipe is for a deep-fried turkey, and not using just any oil...I used Bacon Up! And lots of it! I have only fried a turkey a few times in my life. My go to methods are normally to smoke and bake our turkeys. Using this bacon grease is a total game changer though! The flavor was top notch...who doesn't like bacon, right? 

Now that our family has discovered this method of frying, I can see us frying way more turkeys in our future! Not only did I use bacon grease, but I also injected the turkey with a flavored butter. Get ready to have your mind blown! This is the most flavorful turkeys I have ever cooked, and I don't say that loosely at all. 

Get Ready for Deep-Fried Turkey All Year Long!

This was such an easy cooking process that I do it all year long. Our family can eat off a whole turkey for days and it's a great way to feed a crowd! During the summer months, we use the turkey meat for sandwiches, tacos and salads. During the fall we use the turkey for soups, turkey patties and pot pies. I can often find whole turkeys for cheap, so it's a great way to stretch out your groceries if you're feeling creative! 

Now that I've discovered this technique, we'll be eating turkey even more! I did do a flavored butter injection which to me was a key step in the deep-frying process to add flavor and of course the bacon grease which is a huge part of the flavoring process. 

Which Turkey Frier do you need?

The best frying pot sets are the ones that come with everything! Be sure to choose one with a turkey stand and a lift hook. This outdoor set is the one I used in filming this recipe.

What I loved about this kit is that it came with an oil thermometer and all the other essential tools needed. Now, there are other and cheaper kits out there and I am not saying mine is "the best", but it's great for what I needed. If you go with another brand, make sure you have the essentials: A hook, a thermometer and a turkey stand.

Safety Tips

Let's talk safety for just a moment. I recommend doing this turkey fry on concrete or on top of a flame-resistant mat which is what I used on top of concrete. Please don't do this on a wooden deck. Do this cook in an open space of which there is nothing flammable around you. Make sure you have on shoes (Close Toed), gloves as well as eyeglasses or goggles.

Now let's get to the recipe and all the ingredients needed as well as some cooking items and utensils for this dish.

What to pair your turkey with:

Below are some dishes that we often pair with our Thanksgiving Day Turkeys.

Helpful Items for Deep-Frying a Turkey

• Flint and Flame Knives - I use these daily and have had them for over 2 years. I've yet to sharpen them! Definitely great quality knives. Code CHEFTIM40 to get 40% this knife or their entire website
• Bacon Up Bacon Grease - This put the flavor over the top!
• Outdoor Turkey Frier - It come with all the essentials in one purchase!
• Kairos Seasoning - They have amazing seasonings and rubs! I used the Santa Maria for this Fried Turkey.
• Grilling Mat - I use this one to protect my grilling area. It's flame resistant AND waterproof making for an easy clean up.

Ingredients you'll need for your Fried Turkey

• For Butter Injection:
  • 1 Cup Butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Lemon Juice
• For Cooking Turkey:
  • 14 lb Turkey
  • Kairos Santa Maria Seasoning 
  • Sea Salt
  • 21.8 lb Tub of Bacon Up

Detailed Instructions for a Deep-Fried Turkey

Prep Pot and Inject Turkey

Step 1 : Gather all your butter ingredients and thawed out turkey and set on your counter. Place your turkey in your fry pot with in the packaging and fill it up with water so that you know where to fill your grease up to. Be sure to mark it or even tape it so you know how much grease to fill up in the pot. See video for tips.

Step 2 : Lightly melt your butter just so it melts but is not really boiling hot and then mix the listed seasonings together. What I like to do is use a metal sheet pan and set my turkey on it so that I don't get turkey juice on or around my counter space.

Step 3 : Using the injector that came with your turkey frying kit inject as much or all of the butter spread around the turkey. Injecting butter into the legs, wings, thighs, and breast. Season the outside with sea salt. Cover and place in the refrigerator.

Prepping to Fry Turkey

Step 4 : The next day or 24 hours (Remove from Fridge) and set on your counter to come up to room temperature so that the inside of the turkey can start warming up so that the cook is an even cook verses cold inside and a warm outside.

Step 5 : Fill up your Fry Pot with bacon up (to the grease line you measured) and then turn on your flame. Set pot back on the flame and place included thermometer on the side of the pot. Allow the grease to heat up to 375°F. Using paper towels, dry on the inside and outside of the turkey. Pockets of water can cause oil to splash out on to you when lowering the turkey into grease.

Frying the Turkey

Step 6 : Once grease is at the desired temperature of 375°F, place your turkey on the spindle, turn off flame (key step to reduce any flare ups) and then start to lower the bird into pot. Do this VERY slowly. It takes about 2.5 to 2.75 minutes per lb. to cook. Once the turkey is completely lowered and you know how long to cook it, turn the flame back on a little higher than the start because you want to get the temperature back up to 350°F which will take about 3-4 minutes. You want to steadily cook the bird at 350°F.

Step 7 : After 25 minutes start temping the thickest part of the turkey to track your progress. Once you are at 165°F, it's time to remove turkey from the Bacon Grease. I like to use a clean sheet pan lined with paper towels and using my gloves hold the top of the spindle and season the bird on top of the sheet pan with the seasoning and some sea salt.

Step 8 : Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes and then dig in!

What are the "must haves" on your family menus? Let me know your families favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!

Recipe

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