Deep-Fried Turkey

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Show: Food Network SpecialsEpisode: Paula's Southern Thanksgiving

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (11)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Difficult
Yield:
12 to 16 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 30 min
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 1 hr 20 min

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Ingredients

5 gallons peanut oil*
10 to 15-pound unstuffed turkey
1 stick butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons House Seasoning, recipe follows

Directions

*Cooks Note: To measure the amount of oil needed to fry the turkey, place turkey in fryer, add water to top of turkey, remove the turkey and the water line will indicate how much oil will be needed to fry your turkey. Having too much oil can cause a fire. The pot should not be more than 3/4 full or the oil could overflow when the turkey is added.

Pour peanut oil into a 10-gallon pot. Put pot on propane cooker and heat oil to 400 degrees F.

Have turkey completely thawed and dry turkey thoroughly. Tie 2 cotton strings around carcass so bird can be easily lifted out of oil. Carefully submerge turkey in oil.

Deep-fry for 3 to 4 minutes per pound and cook until turkey floats to the top. Remove bird from oil and place on a platter or cutting board.

In a small pan, melt the butter. Add the garlic powder, cayenne and House Seasoning. Brush turkey with butter mixture. Pour any remaining butter mixture inside the turkey. Allow to cool 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

Please be extremely careful when deep-frying the turkey. Do it outdoors on a level and non-flammable surface.

House Seasoning:

1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Deep-Fried Turkey
Courtney Pearland, TX 11-11-2009
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Here's a little tip.....
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My dad has been frying turkeys for us for years and there is one thing he does that I would reccomend. There are "injectors"... that you can buy to inject the turkey. He mixes the liquid "I can't believe it's not butter" with his own cajun spice blend and injects the turkey ALL over the place before frying. When it's done, not only is it moist, but you also get the cajun spice throughout! It is wonderful!!!! Happy Turkey Day Everyone!Read more
recipe Deep-Fried Turkey
Cheryl Canton, GA 10-27-2009
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Freeze that oil!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We've been deep-frying Thanksgiving turkeys for 25 years now and always strain the peanut oil through cheese cloth when it... has cooled, put it back in the original plastic containers and then freeze it. So little is used in the actual frying of the turkey that we have only had to add a cup or so the next time. This saves a lot of money, as peanut oil in quantity is expensive! As for the turkey, it is just fantastic and deep-frying frees up the oven for the other dishes. Frankly, the men get such a kick out of doing the deep-frying that it's worth watching their faces while they're outside "cooking." Whatever rocks their boat!Read more
recipe Deep-Fried Turkey
DAWN THOUSAND OAKS, CA 11-26-2007
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I will never roast again
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The turkey looked beautiful and tasted incredible. We will never cook a turkey any other way.
recipe Deep-Fried Turkey
Anonymous 11-18-2007
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yuk
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

that is so discusting it makes me wanna puke!!!!!!!!!
recipe Deep-Fried Turkey
Anonymous 11-04-2007
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Great Recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The turkey was very moist and full of flavor!
recipe Deep-Fried Turkey
Paul Houston, TX 12-29-2006
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Great
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

this is soo good i want to go and make another one thank you soo much cant wait to watch your new season