Discover the fastest way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey with our step-by-step guide on How to Deep Fry a Turkey. Your turkey will be juicy, flavorful, and done in no time!
Frying a turkey is the ultimate way to get crispy skin and juicy meat for a showstopping holiday centerpiece. But figuring out exactly how much oil you need can be tricky. This guide will walk you through how much oil to use to fry a 15 lb turkey, plus tips for fryer safety and achieving turkey perfection.
Why Fry Your Turkey?
Deep frying results in some big benefits compared to roasting:
- Crunchy, crackly skin
- Moist, tender meat
- Shorter cook time
- Fun, hands-on experience
When done properly, deep fried turkey is hard to beat!
Choosing Your Oil
The oil you select impacts safety, flavor, and cost. Top options are
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Peanut oil – Has a high smoke point of 450°F so unlikely to burn. Imparts a clean, neutral flavor.
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Canola oil – Also has a high smoke point and mild taste. Typically more affordable than peanut.
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Vegetable or soybean oil – Good smoke points around 400-450°F. Stronger flavor. Budget friendly.
Avoid olive or extra virgin olive oil as they can burn easily.
How Much Oil for a 15 lb Turkey?
The general rule of thumb is about 1 quart of oil per pound of turkey.
So for a 15 lb bird, you’ll need:
15 lbs x 1 quart (4 cups) oil = 60 cups oil
Converting that to gallons gives us:
60 cups / 16 cups per gallon = 3.75 gallons
Round up to allow for displacement from lowering the turkey in.
You’ll need about 4 gallons of oil to fry a 15 lb turkey.
Having a little extra oil on hand is useful in case the level drops during cooking.
Picking the Right Fryer
Choose a large propane turkey fryer with at least an 18 qt capacity and 16″ diameter to accommodate a 15 lb turkey.
Or use a heavy stockpot at least 12 qts big and 10″ wide. Keep the oil level several inches below the pot rim.
Make sure your propane tank is full or that your burner has enough power.
Safely Heating the Oil
Getting the oil hot BEFORE adding the turkey is critical for optimal frying.
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Pour oil into fryer/pot, leaving 4-6 inches at the top.
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Heat oil to 350°F monitored by a cooking thermometer.
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Maintain this temp during frying. Adjust heat as needed.
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Hot oil can ignite easily. No open flames nearby. Don’t overfill.
Lowering in the Turkey
Once oil is at temperature, use the following tips for safely immersing your 15 lb turkey:
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Pat turkey dry inside and out with paper towels. Moisture causes splattering.
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Have a helper to slowly lower the turkey in using the hook and avoid oil splashes.
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Lower turkey 1-2 inches at a time pausing to allow bubbling to stop between until submerged.
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The oil will bubble vigorously at first then calm down as turkey cooks.
Fry Time for a 15 Pounder
Figure around 3-4 minutes per pound to calculate total frying time.
For a 15 lb turkey:
15 lbs x 4 minutes/lb = 60 minutes total frying time
Adjust time slightly up or down based on browning. Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness. Turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thigh.
Expect the cooking time to be 45-70 minutes for a bird this size depending on your equipment.
Helpful Turkey Frying Tips
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Injecting turkey with a marinade or broth adds incredible flavor.
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For extra crunch, coat turkey with seasoned flour or batter before frying.
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Use a propane tank exchange service so you always have a full spare tank.
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Watch oil temp closely and adjust heat to maintain proper temp.
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Remove turkey immediately if oil starts smoking. Carefully dispose of hot oil.
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Rest fried turkey 20-30 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
Delicious Fried Turkey Sides
Balance the crispy, salty turkey with traditional Thanksgiving favorites:
- Fluffy mashed potatoes
- Sweet potato casserole
- Herb stuffing
- Cranberry sauce
- Buttery biscuits or rolls
- Green bean casserole
- Roasted vegetables
- Pumpkin or pecan pie
Set your holiday table with your golden fried turkey as the star surrounded by all the fixings. Enjoy this memorable meal with family and friends.
More Handy Turkey Questions
How much oil for a 12 lb turkey?
- For a 12 lb turkey, you’ll need about 3 gallons of peanut or canola oil. Figure roughly 1 quart of oil per pound.
How much oil for a 20 lb turkey?
- A 20 lb turkey will need a larger amount – roughly 6 gallons of oil. Use a large propane fryer with a bigger diameter and height.
What’s the ideal frying temperature?
- Heat oil to 350°F and maintain this temperature during frying for crispy skin and thoroughly cooked meat. Monitor with a cooking thermometer.
Can I fry a turkey indoors?
- Deep frying indoors is not recommended due to safety concerns. Hot oil can easily ignite, so outdoor turkey frying is best.
Does injecting marinade make turkey juicier?
- Yes, injecting turkey with a flavorful broth marinade before frying helps ensure tender, juicy meat. Apply it the day before for maximum effect.
Get set up with the right tools and oil amount, and you’ll be rewarded with the best deep fried turkey ever this holiday season. Just be sure to factor in a little extra time for all the oohs and aahs when you carry that golden bird to the table!
What You Will Need
- get a fresh turkey. Figure out how much turkey each person will need, and if the turkey is frozen, make sure it is completely thawed before cooking.
- Peanut oil is a neutral oil that works great for deep-frying a whole turkey. You can find it at your local grocery store.
- Use a basting brush to coat the turkey with butter after it’s done cooking while the meat rests.
- kosher salt: After cooking, sprinkle it on the outside of the turkey to give it more flavor.
- The turkey fryer kit comes with a burner, a large fryer pot lid, a fryer basket, a turkey hanger, and a turkey fryer thermometer. Highly recommend an outdoor fryer.
- The propane tank—make sure there is enough gas for the whole cooking process.
- A turkey is fully cooked when the temperature inside the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
How to Deep Fry a Turkey
Adding the peanut oil to the large pot and heating it to 375 to 400 degrees F (do NOT go over 400 degrees F) is the first step in this simple recipe.
At this point, make sure the turkey’s legs are not stuck together and put it in the fryer basket. Slowly lower the basket with the turkey inside into the hot oil using the metal tool that comes with the fryer kit. If you move too fast the oil might boil over the top of the pot. Take your time!.
Make sure the turkey is fully submerged in oil. Put the cover on top and let it cook for 3 1/2 minutes per pound or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (use an instant-read thermometer) at the thickest part of the breast or thigh.
How much oil do I need to deep fry a 15lb turkey?
FAQ
Is 2 gallons of peanut oil enough to fry a turkey?
Do you fry a turkey at 325 or 350?
How much oil do you need to deep fry a Turkey?
You’ll need 2.4 gallons of peanut oil to fry a 13-pound turkey. Always have a little extra oil, as it may be necessary. You’ll need 2.6 gallons of oil to fry a 14-pound turkey. You’ll need 5-6 gallons of oil to fry a 20-pound turkey. If the turkey is heavier, I recommend you look at the table above. How to deep fry a turkey? Step by step!
What kind of oil to fry a Turkey?
The best type of oil to fry a turkey is peanut oil. It has a high smoke point and will result in a crispy-skinned bird. Here are some other oils that can be used for frying turkeys: Canola oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, corn oil. For example, if you are cooking a 20-pound turkey, you will need 4 gallons of oil.
How do you deep fry a Turkey?
Remove turkey from hot oil and insert a meat thermometer into the meaty part of the thigh. Aim for a meat temperature of 180°F. Once the turkey reaches 180°F, drain the deep-fried turkey on a wire rack. Allow turkey to stand 15 minutes before carving. Test Kitchen Tip: Wondering what type of oil is best for deep frying a turkey?
How long should a Turkey stand before frying?
Allow turkey to stand 15 minutes before carving. Test Kitchen Tip: Wondering what type of oil is best for deep frying a turkey? Our Test Kitchen recommends using peanut, corn, or canola oil as they have high smoke points. Our Test Kitchen recommends frying the turkey in 350°F peanut oil or other vegetable oil for 3 minutes per pound.
Can you fry a Turkey in peanut oil?
Frying in peanut oil is the classic way, but any vegetable oil with a high smoke point can work. When you slowly lower the turkey into the oil (with the propane off!) the temperature will drop. Frying at about 325 is optimum. Start checking the bird’s temperature at about the 30-minute mark.
How big should a Turkey be for a fryer?
Never fry a turkey that is too big for your fryer. As a general rule, select a turkey that weighs 12 pounds or less to fry. If you’re serving more people, consider frying two smaller turkeys. Watch the weather and wind forecast, and keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.