How Much Peanut Oil Do You Need For a 15 Pound Turkey?

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For cooks with a brazen sense of adventure, the idea of submerging a whole turkey in a cauldron of bubbling oil is understandably exciting. Deep-frying a Thanksgiving turkey certainly has advantages: The technique produces a juicy, flavorful bird with guaranteed crispy, golden brown skin—and the whole process takes less than 2 hours. Plus, all of the action happens outdoors, freeing up oven space for all the holiday side dishes you plan on churning out.

But, there’s no better way to ruin Turkey Day than by setting the bird (and your house) on fire. If this is your first time frying a turkey, don’t just wing it. Our turkey frying guide includes step-by-step instructions and a few essential safety tips so your deep-fried Thanksgiving dinner will go off without a hitch.

So go ahead and fill the oven with sweet potatoes, green beans, and pecan pie; then head outdoors for this quick and easy way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey.

Frying a turkey for the holidays is a delicious tradition for many families Using peanut oil results in a juicy, flavorful turkey with crispy skin However, one key question is how much peanut oil you actually need for a 15 pound turkey. Here’s a detailed guide with tips for safely deep frying your 15 lb bird.

Overview of Oil Amount

The general guideline is to use about 1 quart of peanut oil per pound of turkey. So for a 15 lb turkey, you’ll need around 15 quarts or 4 gallons of peanut oil I recommend getting 5 gallons to be safe, since you need enough oil to completely submerge the turkey. It’s better to have a little extra than not enough

This amount gives the turkey plenty of room to cook evenly while allowing for the oil to bubble and circulate properly during frying. Too little oil can cause uneven cooking and possible burning.

Factors That Affect Oil Amount

Several factors go into determining exactly how much oil you’ll need:

Turkey size – The bigger the turkey, the more oil required. The 1 quart per pound rule provides a good starting estimate.
Fryer size – Make sure your fryer is big enough to accommodate the entire turkey submerged in oil. Measure to ensure it will fit.
Displaced oil – The turkey will displace some of the oil when you put it in the fryer. So you need extra oil to account for this displacement.
Evaporation – Some hot oil will evaporate during the frying process. Have at least an extra quart on hand.
Testing with water – The most accurate way to measure is to put the turkey in empty, then fill with water to cover, mark the level, empty, and fill with that amount of oil.

Safely Heating the Oil

Use a deep fryer thermometer to accurately control the heat.
Heat the oil to 350°F. This temperature ensures the turkey will cook thoroughly without burning the outside.
Do not overfill the fryer. Oil expands when heated. Follow manufacturer instructions for fill lines.
Lower the turkey in slowly to prevent splattering. Cook for 3-3.5 minutes per pound.

Handling the Used Oil

Allow oil to cool completely before straining through a fine mesh strainer into an air-tight container.
Store oil in a cool, dark place like a pantry for reuse. Strained oil can typically be reused 3-4 times.
Discard oil if it becomes very dark, foams excessively, or smells bad.
After extended storage, sample taste reused oil before cooking to check quality.

Helpful Turkey Frying Tips

Inject turkey cavity with a marinade for extra juicy meat. Cajun seasoning adds great flavor.
Pat the turkey dry before frying for crisper skin. Be very sure the turkey is fully thawed.
Use propane burners designed for frying outdoors. Never leave a fryer unattended.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand just in case. Monitor kids and pets so they stay clear.
Allow 20 minutes resting after cooking for juices to settle before carving the turkey.
Consider using an electric turkey fryer for added convenience and indoor use.

Enjoy Your Fried Turkey!

Frying a turkey takes a little extra preparation but yields delicious results. Plan on having about 5 gallons of peanut oil for a 15 lb turkey to ensure complete submersion and proper frying. Follow safety tips, and your holiday meal will be one to remember. The aroma of a crisp, golden fried turkey is sure to kick off your festivities on a high note!

how much peanut oil for 15 lb turkey

How to deep-fry a turkey:

Though the ingredient list for our deep-fried turkey recipe is relatively simple (all you need is a whole turkey and a lot of oil, plus any seasonings you want to add), the process requires very specific equipment. It might be an investment up front, but once you own the whole setup, you can deep-fry your turkey year after year. (You can also repurpose the equipment for a seafood boil come summertime.)Before you get started,

Always fry your turkey outdoors in an open space away from the house, garage, swing set, backyard patio, or any other combustible structure. Do not attempt to deep-fry a turkey in inclement weather (if rain or snow gets into your fry pot, it could spell trouble).
Arrange the burner on a flat surface and keep children and pets a safe distance from the fryer at all times.
Wear heavy-duty gloves and a sturdy apron when deep-frying to protect yourself from the hot oil.
Allow the oil to cool completely (at least a few hours; overnight is better) before moving or disposing of it.

The supplies:

You don’t need an industrial deep fryer to cook your bird, but you will need a specialized turkey-frying kit. Look for these at most hardware and home-improvement stores, or online retailers (we like this one from Amazon). Most turkey-frying kits use propane gas, though some electric models fitted with fryer baskets claim to be safe to use indoors (avoid these; frying a whole turkey indoors runs a greater risk of a grease fire). Make sure your outdoor frying kit includes the following items:

30-qt. or larger aluminum pot
Propane burner with a hose that connects to a propane gas tank and a gauge for regulating the flame
Poultry rack with a hook for lowering and raising the turkey
12″ deep-fry thermometer that clips to the side of the pot to monitor the oil temperature

Gas One Turkey Fryer Propane Burner Complete Kit

A full propane tank
A waterproof marker
A heavy-duty apron
Long, heavy-duty oven mitts (the kind you might use for grilling)
An instant-read meat thermometer for checking the internal temperature of the turkey
A fire extinguisher, in case of emergencies

The turkey: If you’re starting with a frozen turkey, allow it ample time to thaw before beginning the frying process (get our complete guide to thawing a turkey here). If you have a fresh turkey, simply pat it dry with paper towels. Either way, avoid using a wet brine or marinade; excess moisture can lead to splattering when you submerge the bird in the hot frying oil, resulting in dangerous flare-ups.

For most turkey preparations, including frying, we recommend dry-brining for optimal flavor and seasoning. A dry brine can permeate the meat, leading to a juicy, flavorful bird. More importantly, it dries out the skin, encouraging it to crisp and leading to a more controlled frying process. Note that some turkeys—such as Butterball and kosher turkeys—are pre-brined (often in water) and do require additional seasoning. Keep in mind that deep-fried turkeys should not be stuffed; instead, bake your stuffing in a casserole dish in the oven.

No matter which route you take, remember to remove the giblets from the turkey’s cavity and dry it inside and out. (Excluding the liver, which can be bitter, reserve the neck and any other discarded turkey parts to make turkey stock.)

The oil: You can use any type of oil that has a high smoke point. Canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil all work well. How much oil do you need to fry a turkey? For a 12–14-lb. turkey, you’ll need approximately 4–5 gal. of oil. But pots vary in volume, so the method below will help you determine the precise amount you’ll need to fill your particular pot. Remember that the oil level will rise once you lower the turkey; this method factors in the clearance required between the oil’s surface and the top of the pot. Never fill the pot to the brim, which could cause the hot oil to overflow and set the whole thing ablaze.

The Best Way To Deep Fry A Turkey In Peanut Oil For Any Holiday.

FAQ

How many times can you use the same peanut oil to fry a turkey?

According to the Texas Peanut Producers Board, peanut oil may be used three or four times to fry turkeys before signs of deterioration begin. Such indications include foaming, darkening or smoking excessively, indicating the oil must be discarded.

What temperature should the peanut oil be to fry a turkey?

Pour the peanut oil into the pot. You should have enough oil to just cover the turkey. Set over high heat on an outside propane burner. Bring the temperature of the oil to 350°F (180°C).

How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey in an oil less fryer?

Frying a turkey this way was quick and efficient. Roasting turkey in the oven takes about 13 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F, while the instructions for the fryer estimated about 10 minutes per pound.

How long do you deep fry a 16lb turkey?

Cook the turkey about 3 to 4 minutes per pound. The turkey is done when the dark meat is at an internal temperature of 175° F to 180° F and all white meat is at an internal temperature of 165° F to 170° F. When the turkey is done, slowly lift it from the pot and place it in a pan or on paper towels to drain.