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For crispy skin and juicy meat, try Alton Brown's method for a safe deep-fried Thanksgiving turkey. Get our deep-fried turkey recipe now.
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Course: Mains
Keyword: Deep-Fried Turkey, Fall, Fried, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Meats, Thanksgiving

Deep-Fried Turkey

Deep-fried turkey from Alton Brown on a white platter garnished with greenery.
ACTIVE TIME: 1 hour
TOTAL TIME: 10 hours
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
If you’ve never fried a Thanksgiving turkey, make this the year. It’s delicious and done in 45 minutes (unless you’re cooking Turkzilla). Just make sure you assemble and use my handy and safe turkey derrick.
In order to determine the correct amount of oil, place the turkey into the pot that you will be frying it in, add water just until it barely covers the top of the turkey and is at least 4 to 5 inches below the top of the pot. This will be the amount of oil you use for frying the turkey. Be sure to dry the pot thoroughly before adding the oil.
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Software

  • 6 quarts hot water
  • 1 pound kosher salt
  • 1 pound dark brown sugar
  • 6 pounds ice
  • 1 (13- to 14-pound) turkey, with giblets removed
  • 4 to 4 1/2 gallons peanut oil

Specialized Hardware

5-gallon cooler
Turkey Derrick
Probe thermometer
Deep-fried turkey from Alton Brown on a white platter garnished with greenery.
ACTIVE TIME: 1 hour
TOTAL TIME: 10 hours
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Procedure

  • Place the hot water, kosher salt, and brown sugar into a 5-gallon upright drink cooler, and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. Add the ice and stir until the mixture is cool. Gently lower the turkey into the container. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure that it is fully immersed in the brine. Cover and set in a cool dry place for 8 to 16 hours.
  • Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse, and pat dry. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
  • Place the oil into a 28- to 30-quart pot and set over high heat on an outside propane burner with a sturdy structure. Bring the temperature of the oil to 250ºF. Once the temperature has reached 250ºF, slowly lower the bird into the oil and raise the temperature to 350ºF. Once it has reached 350ºF, lower the heat in order to maintain temperature. After 35 minutes, check the temperature of the turkey using a probe thermometer. Once the breast reaches 151ºF, gently remove from the oil and allow to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to carving. The bird will reach an internal temperature of 161ºF due to carry-over cooking. Carve as desired.
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