Avoiding Frozen Turkey Frying Fails How to Successfully Deep Fry a Bird Without Disaster
Deep frying a turkey can be a delicious way to get tender, juicy meat and crispy skin but attempting to deep fry a frozen turkey can lead to fiery disasters. Why exactly is it so dangerous to put a frozen bird in hot oil? In this article we’ll explain the science behind turkey frying explosions and give tips to safely fry a thawed turkey.
The Dangers of Frying Frozen Poultry
It may seem convenient to toss a frozen turkey right into the fryer. However, this is incredibly unsafe and can cause injuries Here’s why you should never deep fry a frozen turkey
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Oil and water don’t mix! The ice crystals in a frozen turkey cause hot oil to violently bubble and explode when in contact. This can lead to severe burns.
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A frozen turkey doesn’t cook evenly. The outer surface burns while the inside remains frozen solid.
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The moisture in a partially frozen turkey can lead to dangerous flare ups and oil fires as it hits the propane flame.
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Ice crystals can clog the turkey injector, causing oil leaks that can ignite.
Simply put, deep frying frozen meat of any kind is hazardous. Only fry thawed, dried turkeys to avoid risks.
Cringeworthy Turkey Frying Fails
To demonstrate why frozen turkeys and fryers are a bad combo, let’s look at some infamous deep frying fails:
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Explosive hot oil eruptions – Videos show hot oil bubbling out of the pot up to 10 feet high when a frozen turkey is lowered in.
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Massive yard fires – Amateur cooks using partially frozen birds have managed to ignite their grass into a blazing inferno as oil hits the propane flame.
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Burnt exterior, raw center – People biting into fried frozen turkeys find a charred outside coating a still frozen interior full of raw turkey slime.
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Damaged equipment – Frozen turkeys lead to hot oil overflow, damaging decks, siding, and the fryer itself.
After seeing these cringe-worthy disasters, proper thawing is clearly essential for success and safety.
How to Successfully Deep Fry a Turkey
Follow these tips to crispy fried turkey perfection:
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Thaw the turkey completely in the fridge for 24 hours per 4-5 lbs.
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Dry the turkey thoroughly, inside and out, before frying to prevent splattering.
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Use an oil thermometer to maintain 350-375°F temperature.
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Slowly lower turkey to prevent overflow.
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Inject oils and seasonings instead of wet marinades for moisture.
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Fry approximately 3-4 minutes per lb, adjusting time for size.
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Check internal temperature, 165°F breast, 180°F thighs.
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Allow cooked turkey to drain 15-20 minutes before carving.
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Have an extinguisher on hand in case of oil fires.
With proper thawing, drying, and caution, you can safely enjoy delicious fried turkey. Just keep frozen birds out of the equation!
Alternatives to Deep Frying a Bird
If deep frying seems too difficult or dangerous, try these other great cooking methods:
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Oven Roasting – Roast seasoned turkey for crispy, golden brown skin.
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Smoking – Impart incredible smoky flavor by slowly smoking the turkey.
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Grilling – Get crispy skin and juicy meat by indirect grilling.
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Air Frying – Use an air fryer to get crispy turkey without all the oil.
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Spatchcocking – Butterflying or spatchcocking the turkey helps it cook fast and evenly.
Don’t chance ruining the holidays or becoming a viral turkey fail! With the right prep and safety steps, you can enjoy golden fried turkey without any oil explosions. Have a tasty, safe Thanksgiving feast!
Never Deep-Fry A Frozen Turkey
FAQ
What happens if you drop a frozen turkey in a deep-fryer?
What can go wrong with deep frying a turkey?
How long to thaw turkey before deep frying?
Should you deep fry a frozen turkey?
Here’s the physics of why you must never deep fry a frozen turkey. Deep frying is a simple method for cooking with lots of benefits. Unlike the traditional oven-roasting, where heated air externally cooks whatever you put into the oven from the outside, deep fryers work by submerging your food into an extremely hot liquid: oil.
Is deep frying a Turkey dangerous?
But this method of cooking can be a very dangerous undertaking. Every fall, millions of dollars of damage, trips to the ER and even deaths result from attempts to deep-fry turkeys. The vast majority of these accidents happen because people put frozen turkeys into boiling oil.
Can You Thaw a frozen turkey before frying?
Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator in a pan or lined empty refrigerator drawer to catch any moisture. The turkey must be completely thawed to prevent the oil from boiling over during frying. A frozen turkey needs about 24 hours thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey. 2 to 3 days before frying, dry brine the turkey.
Can you deep fry a thawed Turkey?
Yes, you can still deep fry a turkey for Thanksgiving. Yes, you can safely apply a dry rub. Yes, you can brine your turkey beforehand. And yes, you can safely deep fry an entire thawed turkey so long as you follow the proper procedure. Remember that you are dealing with extremely hot oil, and this can burn you severely.
How do you deep fry a Turkey in a deep fryer?
The amount of water that’s left in the pot you’ll be using to deep fry the turkey is the level to which you should fill the pot with oil once it’s been emptied and dried. Set up your deep fryer on level ground, outdoors, on concrete/pavement, and away from any potentially flammable materials. Heat the oil to the required temperature.
How do you Dry a Turkey before frying?
After unwrapping, pat the turkey very dry with paper towels inside and out. 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.