Is it even possible to deep fry a whole turkey without oil? Absolutely yes and we’ve been doing this since 2019 and never looked back. Our oil less deep fried turkey is wonderful and seriously delicious. Yes, there’s no oil and it’s a perfect whole turkey to cook on Thanksgiving. Our resource below is filled with tips and step by step photos on how to cook deep fried turkey without oil.
The Big Easy oil less turkey fryer is a revolutionary way to cook juicy, delicious turkeys and other meats without the dangers of using gallons of hot oil. This infrared turkey fryer uses radiant heat to cook food evenly, quickly, and safely. In this article, I’ll explain in simple terms how to use the Big Easy step-by-step.
What is the Big Easy Oil Less Turkey Fryer?
The Big Easy is an outdoor countertop cooking appliance that uses infrared heat to cook turkeys and other meats. It looks similar to a traditional turkey deep fryer, but it cooks without using any oil.
The Big Easy has an electric heating element that heats the air inside the enclosed metal chamber. This hot air converts to infrared heat which then radiates evenly throughout the cooking chamber. The infrared heat penetrates the food cooking the interior gently while crisping up the outside.
Benefits of Cooking with the Big Easy
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No oil required – The Big Easy eliminates the cost mess, and danger of handling large quantities of hot oil.
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Moist, juicy meat – Infrared heat gently cooks the interior of meats while sealing in natural juices. The result is very moist and tender meat.
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Quick cooking times – The Big Easy can cook a turkey in about 8-10 minutes per pound with no preheating required It’s much faster than roasting in an oven
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Ease of use – With no oil to deal with, using the Big Easy is simple and hassle-free. Just season the meat, set the temperature, and walk away.
How to Use the Big Easy Step-by-Step
Using the Big Easy oil less turkey fryer is straightforward, but there are some important steps to follow for safety and best results.
1. Thaw and Prepare the Turkey
Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before cooking. Remove the giblets and neck from the bird’s cavities. Rinse the turkey inside and out, then pat dry with paper towels. Tuck the wings under and tie the legs together with cooking twine.
2. Season the Turkey
For the best flavor, rub the outside of the turkey with olive oil or melted butter. Season it generously with your favorite spices or herb blend. Insert dried herb butter or citrus wedges under the skin for added moisture and flavor if desired.
3. Preheat the Big Easy
Assemble the Big Easy according to the owner’s manual instructions. Attach a full propane tank and turn on the control knob. Preheat the unit with the lid closed for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Place Turkey in Cooking Basket
Set the turkey breast-side up in the cooking basket. The legs should point downward so the bird sits flat.
5. Cook the Turkey
Put on heat-resistant gloves. Carefully lower the cooking basket into the preheated Big Easy chamber. Close the lid. The turkey will take around 8-10 minutes per pound to cook.
6. Check Internal Temperature
Use a food thermometer to check the temperature after the minimum cook time. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast without touching bone. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F.
7. Remove and Let Rest
Carefully remove the cooking basket and let the turkey rest 15-20 minutes before carving. The internal temperature will rise 5-10 degrees during this time.
8. Carve and Serve
Transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Carve it into slices and serve immediately. Enjoy your juicy infrared-cooked turkey!
Tips for Using the Big Easy
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Allow 1 pound of turkey per person. A 16-pound bird will feed about 16 people.
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Cookstuffing in a casserole, not inside the turkey, for food safety.
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Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Appearance alone cannot determine doneness.
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Letting the turkey rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute for moister meat.
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Add smoker boxes or woodchips to the Big Easy for smoked turkey flavor.
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Clean the cooking basket and chamber after each use to prevent grease buildup.
Big Easy Cooking Times
These approximate cooking times per pound are general guidelines. Always check internal temperature:
- Whole turkey – 8-10 minutes
- Chicken – 12-15 minutes
- Pork roast – 15-18 minutes
- Beef roast – 18-24 minutes
Get the Most from Your Big Easy
With its special infrared heating technology, the Big Easy oil less turkey fryer can make holiday dinners and backyard cookouts easier and more flavorful. Follow the step-by-step instructions for how to use it properly. With some practice, you’ll be turning out juicy, delicious poultry and roasts in no time!
Video: Easy Deep Fried Whole Turkey NO OIL
Step-by-Step easy photos to guide you through the oil less fried turkey cooking process. For full recipe details, print out the recipe in the recipe box when you scroll down this write up.
Pros & Cons of Char-Broil Big Easy Oil Less Deep Fryer & Other Brands of Similar Style:
PROS:
- Energy Efficient and uses less power than traditional full sized oven.
- Frees up oven space if you need to cook lots of other oven foods or if you don’t have a lot of oven space.
- Cooks quicker than traditional oven and the skin is super crispy. Our tests on 14 pound fully thawed turkey took about 2.3 hours-3 hours
- No hassle with almost no oil and the most you would need is a light spray of oil to help crisp the food better. So it’s a healthier way of cooking crispy foods.
- Easy Clean up. The glass bowl is super easy to clean.
- Drip Pan. All the turkey juices drop into a dip pan for you to make delicious homemade gravy.
- Feeds more people. The large oil less deep fryer size allows you to cook larger portions of food for more people. It’s great to cook meals for 4 people or more.
- Crispy Skin. Wow, the skin is awesome.
CONS:
- Once assembled, it’s big and bulky. But it does pack into the box easily storing in your garage.
- Outdoor use only. It’s powered by a propane tank so you have to use it outside and weather is a factor.
- No Stuffing in the turkey. The manufacture suggests cooking the stuffing separately, not inside the turkey.
The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer | Char-Broil
FAQ
How does the big easy oil less fryer work?
A propane burner heats the air between a double-wall cylindrical cooking chamber and the outer wall of The Big Easy®. The cooking chamber absorbs the heat and radiates it to the center of the chamber as TRU‐Infrared™ heat. Meat is cooked evenly, for juicy, crisp and flavorful results every time.
How long does it take to cook in a big easy oil less fryer?
The cooking time was slightly longer than a traditional fryer. According to the directions, the cooking time is about 10 minutes per pound as opposed to about 4 minutes per pound for oil–not a huge deal, but something you definitely need to plan for.
How to use an oil less air fryer?
To use your air fryer without oil, simply season your food, put it in the air fryer basket, and set the desired temperature and time. Pretty easy, right?