Turkey Fryers?

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jeffrefrig

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Well, it's that turkey time of year, so I'll do the traditional question: Do any of yinz all fry a turkey on Thanksgiving Day?
My brother-in-law comes over for Thanksgiving and it has now begun a tradition. He buys the smaller 15 pounder and I have the fryer. Match made in heaven! I just wonder if you make your own injection juice, if any, or buy it? I don't really think it matters, but many have their own particular brand or recipe.
Also, smoking turkeys? (Yeah, my ears did it too) Usually smoking a turkey is a Christmas thing, but they're really good no matter when (summer excluded) they're cooked.
Have a most excellent holiday!
Oh, by the way, I have to make the stuffing for the main turkey, as my young Mrs. Taylor doesn't really cook that well. Only pies.
 
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I love smoked turkey, and I have good friends who do that extremely well.

I love deep fried turkey, and I know people who do that very well.

My personal favorite is the traditional roasted turkey with stuffing, and gravy made from the pan drippings with the giblets. I do that myself, and I have never had anyone walk away from the table.

It's all good! And the leftovers are great, too!
 
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I deep fry our thanksgiving turkey. I don’t use any injections and I also don’t brine. I just season the turkey with whatever fresh spices we may have on hand usually rosemary, thyme or whatever else, then drop it in the hot oil for 3.5 minutes per pound. Comes out juicy tender and delicious every time.
 
Fried turkey is better with a home made injection, the store stuff taste horrible and like preservatives, they're for novices.
Boiled down bell peppers, onions, celery and jalapeños in chicken stock is the true Cajun injection.
Fried turkey can be fried in regular oil too, the only reason (some) Cajuns use peanut oil is because they usually freeze the strained oil afterwards and re-use it, if you're doing them just for a meal there's no need to buy the peanut oil, makes no difference in the flavor if your frying only 1 or 2. For more, you need Peanut.
Seasoning the outside does nothing, it comes right off after it's dropped in the oil. Under the skin works.
Brining just insures they'll be no blood in the joints of a fully cooked turkey.
These tips provided by a real Cajun, not me, but I know many.
 
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We're by ourselves this year so we're just gonna do take out turkey dinners, but when we've had big gatherings I've had good success using a turkey cannon (infusion roaster) in my Weber Genesis I gas grill. I take out the grill and rest a pan directly on the flavorizer bars so a big one will fit.

Did a 24 pounder that way one year. That was one huge bird!

Like Lobo, I like the traditional giblets gravy. More work than cooking the turkey, but it's worth it.

If you're the turkey cook, a big stress reliever is cooking the turkey a day or two ahead, and then reheating it. This is from Good Housekeeping, if memory serves:



I started doing this a few years ago. Rather than stressing about cooking the turkey and when's it gonna be done, you can socialize with everyone on Thanksgiving and deliver the turkey to the table whenever you want.

To get those big pieces, to debone the turkey, this is a very good video: How to Carve a Turkey | The New York Times - YouTube
 
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It is Smoked at this homestead, usually takes about 5 hours for a 15-16lb
bird. No I don't have a fancy store bought smoker, just a back yard home
made pit, concrete block lined with fire brick and a it is a log burner.
For years I smoked turkeys for others but since I'm sort of remote most
have stopped bringing and picking up their turkeys. Oh well I can smoke
1 or a 1/2 dozen for the same price.
I inject with a simple home brewed injection mix. Wine, tobasco, Lea&
Perrines plus a 1/4 pound real butter add a dash of onion powder and
black pepper. Heat the liquids until it melts the butter, stir well then inject. Use the excess to bast with a mop.
Meanwhile, my wife cooks a 10-12lb turkey in the oven to use in the
dressing and giblet gravy.
I have fried a couple but prefer the smoked. I felt obligated after my
brother bought me a fryer kit with a full gas bottle for Christmas one
year.
 
I like them smoked by my wife doesn't care much for salt so we do it stuffed in the oven.
When we did a work Christmas party my injection was Garlic powder, Johnnys seasoning salt and lemon pepper. About 1 tablespoon each per cup of water. Do not use garlic salt, make sure it's powder.
 
03hemi said:
Fried turkey is better with a home made injection, the store stuff taste horrible and like preservatives, they're for novices.
Boiled down bell peppers, onions, celery and jalapeños in chicken stock is the true Cajun injection.
Fried turkey can be fried in regular oil too, the only reason (some) Cajuns use peanut oil is because they usually freeze the strained oil afterwards and re-use it, if you're doing them just for a meal there's no need to buy the peanut oil, makes no difference in the flavor if your frying only 1 or 2. For more, you need Peanut.
Seasoning the outside does nothing, it comes right off after it's dropped in the oil. Under the skin works.
Brining just insures they'll be no blood in the joints of a fully cooked turkey.
These tips provided by a real Cajun, not me, but I know many.
Click to expand...
I remember reading that the reason they recommend peanut oil is that it has a higher flash point than veggie oil so is somewhat safer to use for frying.
 
Sistema1927 said:
And just think. On Thursday there will be people who:

1) Put the turkey fryer right next to the wood siding on their house,
2)Overfill with oil, and
3) Drop in a still frozen turkey.
Click to expand...

Yep. Exactly what comes to mind when someone says "deep fried turkey".


I'll take "Call 911" for 300 Alex.
 
The smoked Turkeys DO taste much better. My dad used to smoke them and they were most excellent. The peanut oil is, as stated, used because of the higher flash point, as stated above, but not necessary. It's pretty expensive, as I've seen it lately from about $16/gallon to $24, depending where you buy it. The home made injection is good, if made right, but last few years I try a different store-bought brand every year. The regular turkey gravy I also have to make. My Mrs.'s mom was not really the best cook in the world, so of course her youngest daughter never really learned, either. (Mrs.Refrigeration is 50/50 Italian & Polish. You'd think defrosting 1st would not be part of the directions!)
I just dusted off my 2 fire extinguishers and the nearest fire co. is maybe 2 minutes away. I'm more dangerous target practicing with my BB gun than frying a turkey. I use goggles, but my left arm wasn't real impressed about 3 evenings ago! Those BBs really sting if you pump up the Crossman more than 4 pumps! I don't know what it hit on that box but man did that BB come back fast.
 
MTC(SS)Ret said:
I remember reading that the reason they recommend peanut oil is that it has a higher flash point than veggie oil so is somewhat safer to use for frying.
Click to expand...
It does, but frying at 350 degrees is hardly an issue. Makes no difference other than one's stated. Happy turkey day.
 
I have many friends who swear fried Turkey is the best thing since sliced bread! I have never tasted it so I have no comment on how good it is over oven baked.

I never got into the frying method because I do not want to deal with the danger, mess and the hassle of disposing with the oil left the next day. Since we don't eat the skin anyway and we are happy with the standard method - I never tried it.

That said, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
 
Personally I hate turkey of any cooked method.
I can choke it down if it's smoked, but that's about it.
Baked is absolutely the worst! Yuk
 
Jon651 said:
The absolute best way to smoke a turkey is with the Orion Cooker. By far the easiest, quickest - and tastiest - way I've ever done a smoked turkey. Period.

The Orion Cooker | Backyard BBQ Smokers & Cookers

The Worlds Best Smoked Turkey Smoked in 1 hour 30 minutes - YouTube

I've smoked a 22-lb bird in my Orion and it is wonderful!
And since this hasn't yet been posted, allow me to :eek::

Deep Fried Turkey Fails Compilation | How not to deep fry a Turkey - YouTube
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this. For years I've toyed with the idea of getting a fryer or smoker. Figured the smoker's versatility, in terms of different meats I could smoke, would be best, but wasn't sure what type or brand to get. I watched the video you linked as well as several others, and I'm sold on the Orion. Too late for T-day this year, but maybe I'll pick one up to do ribs for New Years.
 
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