Memphis Fried Turkey Recipes

Steps:

• In 10-gallon outdoor cooker pot with a basket insert, begin heating the oil over a very hot propane flame outdoors to 390 degrees F. Do not set the burner to its highest setting, as you may need to increase the heat after you have added the turkey. It will take about 20 minutes for the oil to heat.
• Meanwhile, rinse the turkey well, pat it dry inside and out, and set it on end in a sink to drain.
• When the oil reaches 350 degrees F, pat the turkey dry again, and sprinkle it with salt. Place the turkey in the basket and carefully and slowly lower the basket with the turkey into the oil. Immediately check the oil temperature and adjust the flame so that the temperature does not drop below 300 degrees F; maintain the temperature at 325 to 350 degrees F. As it cooks, occasionally move the bird around in the oil with tongs so that it does not scorch.
• Whole turkeys take only 3 to 5 minutes per pound to fry to perfection. When it is done, the turkey will float to the surface with a perfectly crispy, browned skin. If you are unsure, you can test the meat for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer deep into the thigh meat or breast meat; it should register 180 degrees F.
• Using the basket insert, carefully remove the turkey from the oil and hold it over the pot for a moment to allow any excess oil to drain back into the pot. Then lay the bird on the oven rack and allow it to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
• Just before carving, melt butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add parsley, stir to combine, and cook until just sizzling. Carve turkey as desired, drizzle slices with butter sauce, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Mix the smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme together in a bowl. Sprinkle some of the spice rub inside the cavity of the turkey. Separate the skin from the breast meat by using one or two fingers, starting at the top of the breast and gently sliding to the right and left, then working down. (So as not to tear the skin, nails trimmed and rings off ! Or you can use a surgical glove.) Massage the rub onto the meat underneath the skin with your hands. Sprinkle the remaining rub on the turkey's skin. Place the turkey on a large sheet tray, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, or up to 24 hours, so the flavors can marry.
• Fill your turkey fryer with peanut oil, and preheat to 400 degrees F (it will take about 1 hour for the oil to come to temperature). (For tips on deep-frying, see note on facing page.)
• Remove the turkey from the refrigerator, and let it come to room temperature as your oil heats.
• Once the oil is hot, very carefully lower the turkey into the hot oil. (Most turkey fryers come with a basket for the turkey that has hooks and a handle to lower and lift. If yours doesn't, get yourself a long set of sturdy tongs to grip deep the inside cavity and breast, as well as an industrial kitchen fork to hold the back side of the bird.) Make sure the oil maintains its temperature while frying. Fry the turkey until the skin is dark golden brown and crisp, or until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 155 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 45 minutes. Carefully remove the turkey from the oil, and let it rest and drain on a wire rack about 30 minutes. Do not cover the turkey with foil or it will lose some of its crispness. The internal temperature will rise to 165 degrees while resting.
• Transfer the turkey to a serving platter, and serve.
• ALTERNATIVE: Oven- Roasted Turkey
• To roast the turkey, set the rack at the lowest position in the oven and heat to 325 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator to bring to room temperature. Tie the legs together, and tuck the wing tips under.
• Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Drizzle the outside of the turkey with a few tablespoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the turkey for about 3 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F. Transfer the turkey to a platter, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
• NOTE
• Before you begin, check out our deep-frying guide on page 19 for general frying tips. The size of your turkey will determine how much oil you need to fill your fryer. The safest way to figure that out is to place the raw turkey in the empty fryer and then cover with clean cold water. Remove the turkey; note where the water comes to in the pot (no more than three-quarters full, or get a bigger pot!), and mark with a pen. Empty the fryer of water, and dry it very well.
• Fill the fryer up with oil to the line you marked, being careful not to fill it more than three-quarters of the way. This will ensure that the hot oil does not spill out over the top of the fryer and cause a fire! (Always keep an extra empty pot and a large ladle next to you while you fry the turkey, just in case. If it looks like it might bubble over, just scoop some of the oil out.)
• Most people use propane and a deep pot set up in their backyard, but you can now purchase countertop electric fryers large enough to do the job more safely indoors (and out of the cold air). These fryers come with pre-marked levels for the oil and can be covered with a lid.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large stockpot or turkey fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure the fryer is located outdoors in a safe area, preferably on dirt or pavement, and far away from buildings, wooden decks, or other objects. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.
• Ensure that the turkey is completely thawed. Cut any extra skin away from the neck area and make sure neck hole is at least an inch in diameter. Pat the bird completely dry with paper towels, then rub liberally with salt and pepper on both the outside and the inside. Place the turkey into a drain basket, neck-side first.
• Working slowly and carefully, gently lower the basket into the hot oil to completely cover the turkey. Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 35 minutes.
• Carefully remove basket from oil, and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Once the turkey is done, remove from the oil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Steps:

• In a large stockpot or turkey fryer, heat oil to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Be sure to leave room for the turkey, or the oil will spill over. Layer a large platter with food-safe paper bags.
• Rinse turkey, and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Rub Creole seasoning over turkey inside and out. Make sure the hole at the neck is open at least 2 inches so the oil can flow freely through the bird.
• Place the whole onion and turkey in drain basket. The turkey should be placed in basket neck end first. Slowly lower basket into hot oil to completely cover turkey. Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 45 minutes.
• Carefully remove basket from oil, and drain turkey. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Finish draining turkey on the prepared platter.