This Deep Fried Turkey Recipe is not only easy, but it’s also crispy and succulent. The perfect combination for a memorable Thanksgiving Turkey dinner!
Deep frying a turkey is a delicious way to prepare it for the holidays or any special occasion. When done right, deep frying results in a turkey that is moist, tender and full of flavor. An important step in deep frying a turkey is properly seasoning it. The right combination of herbs, spices and rubs will take your deep fried turkey from good to incredible.
Here is a guide on how to perfectly season a turkey before deep frying for maximum flavor.
Why Seasoning is Important
Seasoning is a crucial step when deep frying a turkey. Since the turkey cooks quickly in the hot oil there isn’t much time for the flavor to penetrate into the meat. By seasoning the turkey ahead of time, the flavors have time to soak in.
Seasoning also helps form a flavorful crust on the outside of the turkey. The hot oil will cook and caramelize the seasonings on the skin, creating a flavorful, crispy exterior.
Finally, seasoning adds lots of flavor that would otherwise be missing. The hot oil doesn’t add much seasoning on its own. Relying solely on the oil to flavor the turkey will lead to a bland deep fried bird.
When to Season the Turkey
For the best results you’ll want to season your turkey the day or night before you deep fry it. This gives time for the flavors to permeate into the meat.
Remove the turkey from the packaging and pat it completely dry, inside and out. Make sure there is no excess moisture before seasoning.
Create your seasoning blend and rub it all over the turkey, both under and on top of the skin. Getting seasoning directly on the meat is key for flavor.
After seasoning, refrigerate the turkey uncovered overnight. The fridge time allows the flavors to soak in while the uncovered drying further removes moisture.
Right before frying, season the outside of the turkey again for an extra layer of flavor. Then you’ll be ready to fry.
How to Season for Deep Frying
There are a few techniques you’ll want to use to properly season a deep fried turkey.
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Injecting – Using an injection needle to inject seasoning deep into the turkey breast and thighs is highly effective. Common injecting liquids include broth, melted butter, marinades and more.
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Rubbing under the skin – Loosen the skin from the breast meat and rub seasoning directly onto the meat before rubbing the skin.
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Seasoning cavity – Stuff the cavity with aromatics like lemon, onion and herbs and rub seasoning inside as well.
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Outer coating – Pat a dry rub all over the skin and outer surfaces for a flavorful, textured crust.
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Marinating – Soaking the turkey in a marinade before seasoning infuses lots of flavor.
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Brining – While not seasoning, a salt water brine changes the texture and adds moisture.
Best Seasonings for Deep Fried Turkey
The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasonings for deep fried turkey. Here are some of the most popular and effective options:
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Cajun seasoning – The bold Cajun flavors like garlic, paprika and cayenne suit deep frying.
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Onion and garlic powder – These basic spices enhance overall flavor.
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Fresh herbs – Rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano all add aroma.
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Spice blends – Use blends like poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning or Creole seasoning.
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Salt and pepper – For basic but necessary flavor.
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Chile powder or cayenne – For spicy fried turkey.
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Lemon pepper – Tangy and robust.
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Poultry seasoning – Tailor-made for turkey.
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Smoked paprika – Adds sweet smokiness.
Popular Marinades and Rubs
Using pre-made marinades and rubs makes seasoning a deep fried turkey super easy. Here are some excellent store-bought options:
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Butterball Garlic Herb Turkey Marinade – Perfectly balances savory and sweet.
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Weber Beer Can Chicken Rub – Contains brown sugar for crispness.
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McCormick Grill Mates Turkey Rub – Nice blend of garlic, mustard and herbs.
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Badia Complete Seasoning – All-purpose seasoning with oregano and thyme.
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Italian dressing – Quick marinade that adds lots of flavor.
Final Browning Right Before Frying
After the turkey has seasoned in the fridge overnight, pat it dry once more before frying. Then apply another layer of seasoning right before dropping it into the hot oil.
This extra dose of seasoning will form a flavorful crust as the turkey fries. Try a simple coating of salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Spice blends also work great for the final coating.
Tips for the Best Seasoned Deep Fried Turkey
Follow these tips for maximum flavor:
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Dry the turkey thoroughly before seasoning. The seasonings won’t stick to a wet turkey.
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Loosen the skin from the breast meat to rub seasoning directly on the meat.
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Inject marinade deep into each breast for added moisture and flavor.
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Stuff the cavity with lemons, onions, garlic and fresh herbs.
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Let the seasoned turkey rest overnight in the fridge so the flavors fully penetrate.
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Coat the turkey with an extra layer of seasoning right before frying.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Seasoned Fried Turkey!
With these seasoning techniques and tips, your deep fried turkey will be bursting with flavor. The aromatic herbs, spices and rubs will take your fried turkey from ordinary to extraordinary. Use this guide to make this holiday bird your best ever!
How long does this stay fresh?
You can keep turkey meat in an airtight container in your fridge for 4 to 5 days. When you are ready to reheat it, warm it up in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.
The whole process of making this Deep Fried Turkey Recipe was completely peaceful.
- This Masterbuilt Fryer is electric, so it’s safe to use in the house without fear of explosion.
- The lid protected me and my counters from splattering oil.
- The specially designed vent in the lid, allowed steam to come through, but not smoke, so my house didn’t reek of fry oil.
- Using the lifting hook and an oven mitt to lower and lift the turkey, further protected me from burns.
My turkey was cooked to perfection, in less than half the time it takes in the oven. That is a seriously easy turkey recipe!
The skin was dark, but very flavorful… Not burnt tasting. The turkey meat was ultra-tender and juicy from breast to tail.
To top it all, after the oil had cooled and I got around to cleaning out the fryer, it came with a little spout that made draining it a cinch.
With this kind of cooking method, you do not tie the wings and body together with twine.
If you have always wanted to fry a turkey for Thanksgiving, I can tell you without reservation that this is a great product.
It’s easy to use, super safe, easy to clean up, and you can also use it to boil and steam large quantities of food.
Find it online with quick-ship options on Masterbuilt and Amazon.
Or in nationwide retailers like:
- Home Depot
- Wal-Mart
- Costco
- Lowes
- Academy Sports & Outdoors
- Bass Pro
- Sears
- Target
Masterbuilt’s Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer is a product I can recommend wholeheartedly.
Frying a Turkey Safely
I know, I know. I’ve seen those clips on Youtube and America’s Funniest Home Videos, of the guy lowering the turkey into a gas fryer and the whole thing going up in flames. (I have a hard time understanding why this is considered funny.)
Trust me, I’ve seen those clips.
Yet the adventurous side of me has always wanted to throw caution to the wind and try it anyway.
So this year I got my chance, and it just so happens my dangerous-side and practical-side met in the middle. I was going to try deep-frying turkey from scratch.
Masterbuilt, makers of superb smokers, grills, and fryers, sent me one of their Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryers. You cannot imagine the fusion of exhilaration and fear that bubbled up inside of me the day it arrived.
Nevertheless, I was aching to test it out…
How to Deep Fry a Turkey
FAQ
Should I season my turkey before deep frying?
How do you prepare a turkey for deep frying?
What not to do when deep frying a turkey?
How do you keep turkey moist when frying?
How do you Dry a fried turkey?
Season the turkey with kosher salt and then let it absorb the salt for at least 24 hours in the fridge. If space allows, leave the turkey uncovered, which helps dry the turkey even further. Pat the turkey dry again just before frying. Turn off the burner and lower the turkey into the oil very slowly.
How do you deep fry a Turkey?
Mix together crushed bay leaves, Creole seasoning, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Rub dry rub all over turkey. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours, or up to 48 hours, before deep-frying according to your favorite recipe. A simple deep-fried turkey rub, ready in minutes!
How do you cook a Turkey in a frying pan?
Season: Use a paper towel to pat the turkey dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper on the inside and outside. 3. Fry: Place the turkey, neck-side down, in a drain basket. Gently lower the turkey into the hot oil until it’s completely covered. Continue frying until the turkey is cooked through.
How do you cook a fried turkey in the fridge?
Season turkey inside and out: Rub the seasoning into the turkey’s skin. Then sprinkle the remainder inside the body cavity. Place the turkey in the refrigerator uncovered for 12-24 hours to allow the spices to infuse the meat. When you’re ready to fry your turkey, remove the turkey from the refrigerator.