Cajun Deep Fried Turkey

Submitted by lkadlec

"This is a great dish, but should only be attempted by someone who has experience with doing this. It is also expensive due to the large amount of oil needed. Not recommended for indoor cooking."

 

• Ready In: 9hrs
• Ingredients: 8
• Yields: 1 recipe

ingredients

• peanut oil, for frying (about 5 gallons)
• 1 (10 -15 lb) turkey
• 6 teaspoons salt
• 6 teaspoons paprika
• 6 teaspoons white pepper
• 6 teaspoons cayenne
• 6 teaspoons Accent seasoning (optional)
• 16 ounces liquid crab boil concentrate

directions

1. Rinse turkey inside and out.
2. Mix 1 part crab boil concentrate to 4 parts water.
3. Combine dry ingredients with crab boil solution.
4. Adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Inject turkey (approximately 2" apart) with mixture using syringe (available from gourmet kitchen stores.).
6. Cover turkey with foil and refrigerate overnight.
7. Heat oil to 350°F
8. CAUTION: Use a fryer thermometer to monitor the oil. It may ignite if the temperature goes beyond 375°F.
9. Put turkey in basket and CAREFULLY lower it into the pot.
10. Cook 5 minutes per pound.
11. Check in 1 hour using a meat thermometer (you're looking for an internal temperature of 180F).

Reviews

[panner50]

what kind of oil is best for cooking turkey I used peanut oil and it was very good

 

[Ardy4591]

It's a good idea to invest in a professional digital thermometer. You can use it to both check your oil temperature, and to determine when the turkey is done. I use mine for any kind of roasting and deep frying. It works great on poultry, beef and pork roasts, etc. If you plan on making a habit of deep frying turkeys (and it is habit forming), such a thermomter will make it much easier and safer. They are about 20$ at kitchen stores.

 

[Chief Jack]

I love fried turkey and have done it often, so I hate to be a party-pooper or to scare anyone from trying it, but I’ve been in the Fire-Rescue service here in the south for nearly forty years and have been to many deck, porch and fully involved house fires from people trying to fry a turkey. I have life-flighted out three severe burn patients; one, a father of three, didn’t make it. There are some simple rules to follow that will make it MUCH safer. 1. NEVER try this inside!!!! 2. Use only a sturdy fryer intended for frying a turkey. Remember, it has to support 8 to 10 gallons of oil PLUS the turkey. Don’t try to rig up a fryer. Rent, beg or buy the real thing. 3. Have a Dry Chemical fire extinguisher ten feet away from the cooker. 4. Always keep the gas tank the full length of the hose away from the burner. (If something goes wrong, you may still be able to shut off the gas.) 5. The night before, as you’re preping the bird, take the pot outside and fill it with water. Slowly lower the bird into the water. When the water stops overflowing, remove the turkey and measure how deep the water is. That’s how deep your oil needs to be to cover the bird! You can add a little more to be sure, but not much. When you add a cold bird to the hot oil the oil is going to expand and can easily overflow. 6. Always wear long pants and long sleeves when frying, adding a heavy apron is even better! 7. Lower the bird into the oil SLOOOOWLY and wear gloves! 8. This is the WORST rule of all! If you are the cook, you are also the “DESIGNATED DRIVER”, leave the alcohol alone until the turkey is done and the cooker is off! Once the bird is done, there’ll be plenty of time to catch-up!

 

[jp mims]

The safest tip I can give anyone atempting to fry a turkey is to turn the gas off before lowering the turkey into the hot oil, then turn the gas back on once the turkey is in the oil. Also, turn the gas off again (after frying) before lifting the turkey out of the hot oil (just in case turkey drops back into oil). DH has been frying turkeys twice a year for at least 7 yrs and still follows this safety "rule". We try to get with a friend and fry two turkeys because thats alot of oil(money) just to fry one turkey, besides, I think the second one tastes better with all those spice in the oil from the first one.

 

[Bngstr]

Just a note to Chief Jack's warnings...When testing to see how much oil to use with water, the water should just cover the turkey when submerged, NOT so the water is overflowing. If it was overflowing oil it will ignite. A great way to get the bird in the hot oil is to lower the bird into the hot oil in steps. Submerge the bird 1/4 in oil for a few seconds then lift the bird out. wait for the oil to settle down (water will be burning off) then submerge the bird 1/2 way then out, 3/4 then out and finally all the way in. Be ready to pull the bird out if the oil is bubbling too crazy. Wear Long oven mitts Should have cooker over gravel or sand let bird rest 1/2 hour before carving Enjoy :]