Deep-Fried Turkey

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Picture of Deep-Fried Turkey Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Deep-Fried Turkey Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
10 hr 0 min
Prep
15 min
Inactive
9 hr 0 min
Cook
45 min
Yield:
6 to 8 servings
Level:
Difficult
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Ingredients

  • 6 quarts hot water
  • 1 pound kosher salt
  • 1 pound dark brown sugar
  • 5 pounds ice
  • 1 (13 to 14-pound) turkey, with giblets removed
  • Approximately 4 to 4 1/2 gallons peanut oil*
  • *Cook's Note: In order to determine the correct amount of oil, place the turkey into the pot that you will be frying it in, add water just until it barely covers the top of the turkey and is at least 4 to 5 inches below the top of the pot. This will be the amount of oil you use for frying the turkey.

Directions

Place the hot water, kosher salt and brown sugar into a 5-gallon upright drink cooler and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. Add the ice and stir until the mixture is cool. Gently lower the turkey into the container. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure that it is fully immersed in the brine. Cover and set in a cool dry place for 8 to 16 hours.

Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.

Place the oil into a 28 to 30-quart pot and set over high heat on an outside propane burner with a sturdy structure. Bring the temperature of the oil to 250 degrees F. Once the temperature has reached 250, slowly lower the bird into the oil and bring the temperature to 350 degrees F. Once it has reached 350, lower the heat in order to maintain 350 degrees F. After 35 minutes, check the temperature of the turkey using a probe thermometer. Once the breast reaches 151 degrees F, gently remove from the oil and allow to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to carving. The bird will reach an internal temperature of 161 degrees F due to carry over cooking. Carve as desired.

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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling Wine

Anything with bubbles

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 113 reviews

  • on November 27, 2012

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    I use this recipe every year. It makes the best deep fried turkey. I love that its simple. Our guests think by the taste of the turkey the brine was much more complicated that it really was. I recommend a fresh turkey.

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  • on November 26, 2012

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    This is my first Alton Brown recipe. It was amazing. Our first deep fried turkey and it will not be our last. So tasty. Just loved it!

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  • on November 25, 2012

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    My first fried turkey was a HUGE success! I used Alton's brine recipe and let turkey brine for 12 hours rinsed and used the Neely's fried turkey rub and let it marinate for 12 hours. I fried it in Butterball's indoor electric frier w/ no worries about overfilling the oil or burning down the house : Thanks Alton, Neely's & Butterball!

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