Should You Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey?

Thinking of trying something new and spicing up some family traditions this Thanksgiving? If you are keeping the mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and stuffing the same, why not rethink your options for the main dish- the traditional turkey.

Deep frying turkeys made its debut a few years ago, however this tasty alternative has stuck around for a reason- it's delicious! Packed with flavor, juicy, yet crispy on the outside, here is what you need to know if you are considering deep-frying your turkey this Thanksgiving.

Like any turkey, the preparation and cook time eat up most of the day. It's best to start cooking early, and it's absolutely no different when you decide to deep-fry. Most recipes online recommend brining your turkey for 8-16 hours. Brining your turkey in a mixture of water, salt, and brown sugar ensures you'll have juicy meat with tons of flavor.

Pro Tip: Start brining your turkey the day before Thanksgiving and leave it to soak overnight.

Once your turkey has soaked in the brine mixture overnight, you'll want to let it sit out for approximately 30 minutes to allow the bird to reach room temperature.

Now, here is the fun part. Get ready to fry!

Place your oil, preferably peanut oil, in a 28 to 30-quart pot and set to high-heat outside over a propane burner. Once the temperature of the oil has reached 250 degrees F, slowly lower the turkey into the oil and let it cook until the temperature reaches 350 degrees.

Pro Tip: Ensure your pot is sturdy and well supported!

Set your timer for 35 minutes and check the temperature of the turkey. You will remove the turkey from the oil when the breast reaches 151 degrees, and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes and until the inside of the turkey reaches 161 degrees.

With little additional effort, but added crunch and flavor, we highly recommend trying something new and frying your turkey this year! If you do, we absolutely want to see photos! Tag us in your spread this holiday on Instagram (@zhomesrealestate) and let us know how your deep-fried turkey turned out.