The first step in making a delicious fried turkey is to make a good brine that infuses the turkey with flavor before cooking. I make my favorite turkey brine. It is sweet and savory with notes of herbs and citrus. Place 12-15 pounds of turkey in the brine for 18-24 hours.
Do you need to brine turkey before deep frying?
You can brine the turkey first, but you don’t have to. Many people do, but it is not necessary for a successful deep-fried turkey. I have made this recipe many times without brewing it first, and they are always delicious.
Why you shouldn’t brine your turkey?
He claimed it gave the poultry the texture of lunch meat. In addition, the molecules of cider, herbs, and other flavorings cannot carry much flavor to the turkey because they are too large to penetrate the membrane surrounding the meat before the salt molecules do.
Do you rinse brine off turkey before frying?
Brine for 12 hours or 1 hour per pound of turkey. Next, remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry, but do not rinse. Allow the turkey to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying. Fill fryer no more than 2/3 full, add peanut, canola, or vegetable oil and heat oil to 325 degrees.
Is it better to brine or inject a deep fried turkey?
Advantages of infusing turkey:. The infusion process is faster than brining. You can infuse the bird right before cooking. Melted butter, duck fat, olive oil, or other fats can feed deep into the meat flesh and increase its succulence.
When should you inject a turkey before deep-frying?
Traditionally, fried turkey is infused with a marinade before cooking. Time before the dish is ready for discussion. You can infuse the turkey 24 hours to 5 minutes before frying. Good results were obtained infusing 2 hours prior to frying.
Do you rinse turkey after brining?
After brining, thoroughly rinse the turkey under cold water for a few minutes. Remove the brined turkey from the brine bag or pan (or container set up for brining), discard the brine and place the turkey in a clean sink.
Is brining a turkey worth it?
Brewing the turkey is entirely optional. If you are short on time or simply want the easiest way to roast a turkey, skip the biracing step and use the simple roast turkey method. Some people swear that birinit yields the most tender and juicy meat, but it requires advance planning.
What happens if you brine a Butterball turkey?
Companies take this step to expand the shelf life of their turkeys and enhance the flavor in their bargains. If you buy a butterball or another pre-covered bird, there is no need to brine it. That said, as long as you are reducing the amount of salt you use, the step will do no harm.
How long do you deep fry a 14 pound turkey?
Fry until the turkey reaches 165°F. Deep frying a turkey typically takes 3½ minutes per pound, so a 12- to 14-pound bird will take 40 to 50 minutes to reach 165°F. When checking the internal temperature of the bird, gently lift the turkey from the oil using the hooks attached to the chicken rack.
Can you brine a turkey too long?
Brining too long can cause the meat to taste overly salty and spongy. If the bird is not ready to roast after 18 hours, remove from the brine, rinse, pat dry, and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Can you brine and inject a turkey for frying?
Yes, you can brine, rub dry, infuse and or fry this recipe. You will find that all options or one way or the other are great.
How long do you deep fry a 20lb turkey?
Once the oil reaches the target temperature, slowly lower the turkey and basket into the fryer. Set the timer for 3 to 4 minutes per pound. For example, if you are trying to determine how long to fry a 20 lb. turkey, 3 x 20 = minimum 60 minutes. A turkey frying time for a 10 pound bird is 30-40 minutes.
Does injecting a turkey make it juicier?
Injecting flavor into the turkey will not only add flavor to the meat, it will also make the bird moist and juicy. This is in contrast to friction seasoning, which only seasons the skin rather than injecting the seasoning into the turkey meat. Injecting a flavored liquid into the turkey is an excellent technique for producing moist, flavorful meat.
How long should I brine turkey?
Place the turkey in the refrigerator and soak it in brine for at least 8 hours (up to 18 hours). Do not leave the turkey in the brine longer than recommended.
How far in advance should I inject my turkey?
You may inject up to 36 hours before cooking the turkey. However, after injecting the flavors, the turkey should be allowed to stand for at least 12 hours. This allows the flavors to permeate the turkey meat.
Should you poke holes in a turkey?
Pierce the entire turkey, legs, wings, breast, and butt. If using an aluminum roasting pan, be careful not to puncture it. It takes 3 1/2 to 4 hours to cook a turkey.
Is 3 gallons of oil enough to fry a turkey?
The turkey fryer pot included in most turkey fryer kits has a maximum fill line, which can be used to determine how much oil to add. You will need enough oil to cover the entire turkey, but not so much that it spills. A general guideline is to use 3 gallons of oil per 30 qt.
Why did my deep fried turkey turn black?
The general consensus regarding fryers has been that the sugar in the rub is the cause of the blackness.
What is the best oil to deep fry a turkey?
Peanut oil is the best choice for frying turkey. Its high smoke point makes it ideal for frying turkey. This oil can be reused many times. It also has a neutral taste and can be purchased in bulk.
Does a brined turkey take longer to cook?
Note: Salted turkey meat cooks slightly faster than non-salted turkey meat, so check the internal temperature frequently. Remove turkey from oven and let stand 20 minutes before carving.
Do you have to take the giblets out of a turkey before brining?
A: Before placing the turkey in the brine, remove the entrails, neck, and tail from the turkey and reserve them for the gravy. To brine overnight, dissolve 1 cup table salt or 2 cups kosher salt in 2 gallons of cold water in a large stockpot or clean bucket. Immerse the bird in the solution and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.
What does vinegar do in a brine?
Salting not only enhances flavor, but also makes the meat very tender as the brine moves into the meat to neutralize the salt level. The meat retains excess moisture, resulting in a juicy finish. Soaking each pound of meat for one hour works well.
Is it OK to brine a frozen turkey?
If you have a frozen turkey, you can thaw it while brining La Alton Brown, but plan on it taking two days to thaw. When the big day arrives, remember to rinse off any excess brine before roasting.
Does brining a turkey ruin the gravy?
As much as we love embedded turkeys, they have one unfortunate side effect: overly salty gravy.
Is a brined turkey better than Unbrined?
The uncovered turkey just had an OK flavor, but several people commented that they liked how crispy and nicely salted the skin was. The wet turkey was slightly juicier and more tender than the uncovered turkey, but barely.
Most turkeys are already swarming.” There is a solution to the butterball turkey that helps keep it moist, juicy, and tender. If you’re going to brine, I’d suggest using less salt.”
Why are Butterball turkeys better?
Because more than half of holiday cooks stuff their turkeys, Butterball turkeys have a natural foot tuck to help hold the legs in place using the skin and make stuffing easier. Butterball turkeys have no plastic or metal locks. Guarantees you won’t have to worry about hot metal clips when you remove the stuffing.
Can you brine a store bought turkey?
Make sure they are not pre-drawn! It is not unheard of for store-bought turkeys to be rehydrated for brine infusion. If you see a label with ingredients other than turkey, your bird may have been pre-drawn. Brining a pre-covered turkey makes for a very salty Thanksgiving centerpiece.
How long does it take to deep fry a 15 lb turkey?
Once the oil temperature reaches 350°F (180°C), slowly and gently lower the turkey into the oil. Slowly and gently. Fry the turkey for 3 minutes per pound (455 grams). For a 15 lb (6.8 kg) turkey, this will take 45 minutes.
How long do you deep fry a 16 pound turkey?
How long does it take to fry a turkey? Keep this rule of thumb in mind when learning how to fry a turkey. Each pound of turkey requires about 3 to 4 minutes to cook. That means a 12-pound turkey can take about 45 minutes, and a 16-pound turkey can take almost an hour!
How long do you deep fry a 13 lb turkey?
Once the turkey is submerged in hot oil, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes per pound. For a 10-13 lb. turkey that weighs 14-20 lbs. cook for 3 1/2 minutes per pound. A 10 lb. turkey will take about 30 minutes.
Do you fry a turkey at 325 or 350?
Pot hot oil (enough room to put enough room to place the turkey, too much oil will cause overflow), bringing the oil to at least 375 degrees. F. Cooking.
Why can’t you deep-fry a frozen turkey?
The reason frozen turkey explodes has to do with the difference in density at its core. Oil and water have different densities, and there are density differences between the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of water. When these density differences interact properly, an explosion occurs.
Do you have to use peanut oil to fry a turkey?
Roasting a turkey can take hours, so if you need a quicker option, you can dig the turkey in oil instead. Peanut oil is the oil traditionally used, but you can fry the turkey in oil with a higher smoke point.
How long should I brine a 12 pound turkey?
For a 12 pound turkey, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours. For turkeys over 12 pounds, increase the amount of turkey and submerge completely when the turkey is weighted to the plate. Marinate for at least 12 hours.
Is it OK to brine a turkey for 3 days?
Place the container in the refrigerator for the period specified in the recipe. The time will depend on the type of brine used. However, do not brine for more than 2 days. Always refrigerate the turkey and brine (below 40°F). Remove the turkey from the brine after the recommended time.
Can you brine a turkey outside the fridge?
Therefore, if you are in an environment where outside temperatures fall within this range (or down to 0c/32f, there is a risk of freezing). Once the turkey temperature exceeds 4c, it should be cooked within 2 hours.
Why do turkey fryers explode?
The reason frozen turkey explodes has to do with the difference in density at its core. Oil and water have different densities, and there are density differences between the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of water. When these density differences interact properly, an explosion occurs.
What is the biggest size turkey you can deep fry?
There is no limit to what can be stir-fried in a turkey fry because it is so large. It is allowed to be the same size or smaller than a turkey. If you are frying something dramatically smaller than a turkey, you probably won’t need as much oil. Nor is reusing oil a bad idea.
What are Butterball turkeys injected with?
In fact, there is no actual butter in a butterball turkey. Fresh turkeys are infused with a temporary solution made of salt water and “common household spices,” one brand representative told me.
What is best to inject a turkey with?
Butter-based infusion This is a great injection for poultry of all kinds. A simple mix of broth, butter, lemon, garlic, pepper, and salt provides moisture and flavor to the white meat and enhances the texture and taste of dark meat. Remember to use the injectable marinade several hours before you start cooking.
How long do you cook a turkey?
Not stuffed.
- 4 to 8 lbs (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hrs.
- 8 to 12 lbs: 2 3/4 to 3 hrs.
- 12-14 lbs: 3 3/4 to 3 3/4 hrs.
- 14-18 lbs: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hrs.
- 18-20 lbs: 4 1/4-4 1/2 hrs.
- 20-24 lbs: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
Can I brine a turkey in a 5 gallon bucket?
Cook the brine mixture in an extra large pot, then cook the brine tourekie in the cooled brine. 2. 5 gallon bucket – depending on the size of the turkey, this may be a great option. Make sure you have enough space in your refrigerator.
Do you need to brine turkey with bag?
Safe bringing brine the turkey, the bird must be completely thawed and kept below 40 degrees. I have always had a second refrigerator, but if not available, many people use large cool ice cubes. The turkey should still be placed in a food-safe bag and sealed to prevent dilution of the brine.
How long should you brine a frozen turkey?
As a rule of thumb, turkeys should be brined 45-60 minutes per pound.
Is it better to brine or inject a turkey?
Advantages of infusing turkey:. The infusion process is faster than brining. You can infuse the bird right before cooking. Melted butter, duck fat, olive oil, or other fats can feed deep into the meat flesh and increase its succulence.
Where do you inject marinade in turkey?
Place the uncooked turkey in a pan and add your favorite marinade to the hypodermic meat injector. Inject the marinade through multiple areas of the turkey, especially the breast, thighs, thicker parts of the wings, and legs.
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?
We have found that covering the turkey with foil produces more marsh results than roasting without foil. We only prefer to cover the breast to even out the cooking time.
Do you cook the turkey covered or uncovered?
Q: Don’t you cover or uncover the bird? A: The folks at Butterball recommend cooking a covered turkey in a roasting pan. Two-thirds of the way through cooking, Butterball says you can put foil over the udder area to keep the udder from drying out.
How do I keep my turkey from drying out?
Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one.
- Roast two small turkeys instead of one large turkey.
- Marinate the turkey in brine.
- Rub soft butter under the skin.
- Truss loosely or not at all.
- Roast the turkey upside down first.
- Do not overcook.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
Why You Should not deep-fry a turkey?
The Cosumnes Fire Department warns that cooking with a turkey fryer is extremely dangerous because of the high risk of tipping over, overheating, and hot oil spills that can lead to fire, burns, or other injuries. In the event of a fire in a turkey fryer, call 119 immediately.
Can you reuse oil after frying turkey?
A.: If properly stored, turkey fryer oil can be reused. According to the National Turkey Federation, after frying, the oil must be strained, filtered, and cooled. It should then be refrigerated or frozen in a covered container to prevent acid spoilage.
How long do you deep-fry a 20lb turkey?
Once the oil reaches the target temperature, slowly lower the turkey and basket into the fryer. Set the timer for 3 to 4 minutes per pound. For example, if you are trying to determine how long to fry a 20 lb. turkey, 3 x 20 = minimum 60 minutes. A turkey frying time for a 10 pound bird is 30-40 minutes.
When should you inject a turkey before frying?
Traditionally, fried turkey is infused with a marinade before cooking. Time before the dish is ready for discussion. You can infuse the turkey 24 hours to 5 minutes before frying. Good results were obtained infusing 2 hours prior to frying.
Do you cover a deep frying turkey?
Next, cover the pan and heat the oil to 350°F. Many fryer pots have a hole in the lid where a thermometer can be inserted. Without a lid, the oil will heat, but it will take longer.
How much oil do I need to fry a 15 pound turkey?
If you are planning to fry a turkey, you may be concerned about the amount of oil. Fortunately, there is an answer. For a small turkey, about 9 pounds, use 3 to 4 gallons of oil. For a medium-sized turkey weighing about 12 to 14 pounds, use 4 to 5 gallons of oil.
How much oil do I need to fry a 12 pound turkey?
To fry a 12-14 pound turkey in a 30 quart pan, you will need 4-5 gallons.
How long do you deep-fry a 14 pound turkey?
Cook the turkey for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per pound. The turkey is done when the internal temperature of the dark meat is 175°F to 180°F and the internal temperature of all white meat is 165°F to 170°F.