Frying turkey has a lot of advantages, both culinary and sanity-wise, especially on Thanksgiving. With limited oven room, you need all the space you can get for the side dishes. That makes frying the turkey all the better because you can do it outside. Furthermore, all of the men won’t be able to resist going out and frying it. So you have three great reasons to deep fry a turkey: it simultaneously clears the kitchen of the many taste testers, takes one chore off of your plate, and makes room in the oven for all those great Thanksgiving sides.
Deep frying a turkey is a popular alternative cooking method that yields incredibly moist, tender meat with an ultra-crispy skin. But with so many types of oils to choose from how do you know which one is best for deep frying turkey?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about picking the right oil for deep frying your thanksgiving turkey. You’ll learn about important factors like smoke points, flavor profiles, and cost so you can make the optimal choice.
Why Choose Deep Frying?
Before jumping into oil specifics, let’s first go over some of the benefits of deep frying turkey rather than the conventional oven roasting method:
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Total cooking time is MUCH faster – A 12-15 lb turkey fries in just 45-90 minutes, versus 3-4 hours baked. This frees up your oven for other dishes.
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Incredibly moist, tender meat – The hot oil rapidly sears the turkey, sealing in juices incredibly well. The meat comes out fall-off-the-bone tender.
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Ideal crisp, golden skin – The hot oil fries the skin to a perfect golden brown crunch. Skin gets ultra crispy compared to baking.
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Infuses flavor into the meat – The oil permeates into the turkey as it cooks, imparting extra flavor.
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Cool, unique alternative to baking – Frying is an outside-the-box cooking method that can add flair to your Thanksgiving spread.
Now that you know the perks, let’s get into picking the right frying oil.
Factors to Consider in Choosing a Frying Oil
There are a few key factors you need to consider when selecting the optimal oil for deep frying turkey:
Smoke Point
The smoke point refers to the temperature at which an oil starts to thermally break down and smoke. Different oils have varying smoke points based on their composition.
For deep frying turkey, you need an oil with a very high smoke point of at least 400°F or more. Any lower and the oil can burn, smoke, and impart bad flavors.
Here are smoke points of common oils (refined versions):
- Avocado oil: 520°F
- Peanut oil: 450°F
- Safflower oil: 510°F
- Soybean oil: 450°F
- Sunflower oil: 450°F
- Vegetable oil: 450°F
- Canola oil: 400°F
- Corn oil: 450°F
Ideally choose an oil with a smoke point of 450°F+.
Flavor Profile
Oil imparts flavor during frying, so you want an oil that complements turkey. You’ll want to avoid oils with very strong flavors.
The best oils for frying turkey have more neutral, milder flavors like peanut, canola, vegetable, soybean, or sunflower oil. This allows the great turkey flavor to shine through.
Health Factors
Opt for oils higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and lower in saturated fats. Here are some of healthiest oils for deep frying:
- Peanut oil
- Safflower oil
- Sunflower oil
- Avocado oil
- Corn oil
- Soybean oil
Avoid palm or coconut oil which are very high in saturated fats.
Price Point
You’ll need a lot of oil for deep frying a turkey, anywhere from 3-6 gallons depending on turkey size. So oil price is a consideration.
Corn, soybean, canola, vegetable, and peanut oil are very budget friendly. Meanwhile, avocado and safflower oil are pricier options.
The 7 Best Oils for Deep Frying Turkey
Based on smoke points, flavor, health factors, and price – these are the top 7 oil options ideal for deep frying turkey:
1. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is hands down the most popular choice for deep frying turkeys. It has a neutral flavor profile that lets the great turkey taste shine through. It also has a high smoke point of 450°F.
Since it’s commonly used, peanut oil is easy to find and budget-friendly. All around it’s the ideal oil for deep fried turkey.
2. Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is another versatile neutral oil perfect for frying. It also has a 450°F smoke point. And as a commonly used oil, soybean oil is inexpensive and widely available.
3. Canola Oil
With a smoke point of 400°F, canola oil can withstand the high heat. It has a mild, neutral taste that doesn’t overpower the turkey. And as a common cooking oil, canola oil is generally cheap.
4. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is a great mono-unsaturated option. With a light taste and 450°F smoke point, it lets the great fried turkey flavor shine through.
5. Safflower Oil
Safflower oil has a very high smoke point at 510°F, making it highly heat tolerant. Its neutral flavor is also a great match for turkey.
6. Corn Oil
Corn oil is budget-friendly option with a 450°F smoke point. It has a mild taste that works well for frying turkey without overpowering it.
7. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a premium option, but has a very high smoke point (520°F). Its mild flavor and high monounsaturated fat content make it a healthy choice.
Turkey Fryer Oil Tips
If deep frying turkey, keep these tips in mind:
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Match oil amount to turkey size – plan for about 1 quart per lb of turkey.
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Slowly lower and remove turkey to prevent oil splatter burns.
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Reuse oil 2-3 times if strained and stored properly to save money.
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Discard oil if it smells off, smokes early, or is dark in color.
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Have baking soda on hand to quickly extinguish any oil fires.
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Allow oil to fully cool before disposing to prevent hazards.
So there you have it – a complete guide to picking the perfect oil for deep frying your thanksgiving turkey! Stick to oils with high smoke points and mild flavors. Peanut oil is the most popular choice, but soybean, canola, and sunflower oils also make excellent budget-friendly options. Whichever you choose, stay safe and enjoy an incredibly delicious, crispy deep fried turkey!
How do I make my fried turkey skin crispy?
To produce crispy skin, the turkey needs to be thoroughly dried. This step cannot be skipped or cheated on. If the turkey is still wet, the moisture will cling to the turkey during the cooking process and not only will make the skin soggy but will prevent it from turning golden brown. Also, hot oil and water don’t tend to get along with each other. If you’re not careful to dry the turkey, a grease fire can start quickly.
How much peanut oil do I need to fry a turkey?
The amount of oil varies depending on the size of the bird. However, a good rule of thumb is that for every pound of meat, you’ll need about a third of a gallon of oil. This means that you’ll need 3-4 gallons of oil for a 12-14 pound turkey.
To know exactly how much oil you’ll need, a useful hack would be to put your turkey in the pot you’ll be frying in and fill it up with water. Remove the turkey from the pot and then measure the water. This will give you the exact amount of oil you’ll need to successfully fry your turkey.
What kind of oil do you use to fry a turkey?
FAQ
Is it better to fry a turkey with peanut oil or canola oil?
What is a good substitute for peanut oil when frying a turkey?
Can you use vegetable oil in a turkey deep fryer?