Deep-Fried Turkey

Alton Brown

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2006

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Fry Turkey Fry

Picture of Deep-Fried Turkey Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Deep-Fried Turkey Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 103 Reviews
Total Time:
10 hr 0 min
Prep
15 min
Inactive
9 hr 0 min
Cook
45 min
Yield:
6 to 8 servings
Level:
Difficult
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

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.

Print Recipe

Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling Wine

Anything with bubbles

Quick Video Tips

Find easy pairings for your favorite recipes, Bobby's perfect picks and party ideas.

Wine 101: Get All the Basics

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be signed in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 103 reviews

  • on January 31, 2012

    Flag

    I made this fried turkey recipe for Thanksgiving, along with my usual Good Eats Roast Turkey. They were both 14-pound birds. I can't say how good the fried turkey tasted warm, as it was all gone before I got a chance to fill my plate. Luckily there was some meat left on the carcass. All I can say is, "How soon before we can fry another turkey?"

    This turkey was some of the best I've ever tasted. It wasn't oily in the least, and every one of my guests loved it.

    Instead of an outdoor fryer, I used an indoor electric turkey fryer, which was great because controlling the temperature was a snap. The meat was juicy, and the skin was perfectly crispy and golden. I am officially a deep fried turkey convert.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on December 29, 2011

    Flag

    Excellent recipe. Turned out very juicy and tasty. We did burn the skin a little however.

    We will use this recipe again next year.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on December 10, 2011

    Flag

    Killer! Our turkey's were so moist and flavorful. They were best we've ever had, so yummy we are are doing a repeat for Christmas. (We also used Neely's rub.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

Next Recipe

Advertisement

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google