You will need a turkey rig to fry the turkeys and syringes to inject them.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid Zatarian's Concentrated Crab and Shrimp Boil (optional)
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground allspice
- 1/2 cup Emeril's Creole Seasoning (Essence), recipe follows
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- pinch ground cloves
For the Seasoning Mix:
- 1 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
To Fry:
- 2 turkeys (8 to 10 pounds each)
- about 10 gallons peanut oil
Directions
To make the marinade: Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process for about 5 minutes. Fill a syringe and inject each turkey in the breast and thigh area, as well as the back, wings, and legs. You will have to fill the syringe several times. Next, combine the seasoning ingredients and rub the mixture evenly all over each turkey.
Place the turkeys in large plastic bags and secure before icing them down or refrigerating them for 24 hours.
To fry each turkey: Fill a large pot three quarters of the way full with the peanut oil and heat the oil to between 350 and 360 degrees F. Place 1 turkey in the basket insert and carefully and slowly lower it into the hot oil. Turn the turkey every 10 minutes, using long-handled forks. A whole turkey will take 3 to 5 minutes per pound to cook. It is done when the internal temperature reaches 170 to 180 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer. Carefully lift the basket out of the hot oil. This can be done by inserting a broomstick through the handles and having two strong people lift the basket out of the pot. Using the long-handled forks, transfer the turkey to a large brown paper bag and let stand for about 15 minutes before removing to carve. Repeat the procedure for the second turkey. Carve the turkey and serve with the other traditional side items.
Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):
- 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
Yield: about 2/3 cup
Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking" by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
Photo: Emeril's Fried Turkey Recipe

















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By loricobb_7894324
Huntsville, AL
on February 02, 2013
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Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!! I have used this recipe for awhile and it always comes out amazing. Moist, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Tried it in an oil-less turkey fryer this year, and it worked great!!
By illy906_9653536
mt. pleasant, SC
on November 30, 2011
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This is the most fantastic recipe ever. Emeril is always my go to recipe chef but this is over the top. It is very easy and worth the effort. Try it you'll love it. Thanks again Emeril
By spinx01
on November 24, 2011
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This is the best deep fried turkey recipe out there. I have been using this recipe for the past 5 years. The turkey is sweet a succulent, with a hint of spiciness. It does come out a little dark because of the sugars in the recipe, but that's the beauty of cajun cooking...It can be dark but not burned. After seasoning and just before frying, I dust the turkey with flour for added crispiness. The skin is the best part. It is crispy and spicy. Very tasty.
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