For a fun time, try our Southern Style Deep-Fried Turkey, after all everything’s better deep-fried.
Ingredients
- 1 turkey fryer with peanut oil
- 1 turkey, about 12 pounds
- 5 tblsp unsalted butter
- 2 tblsp molasses
- 1 1/2 cups lemon flavored iced tea (flavored drink like Snapple)
- 2 tblsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper plus another 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 flavor injector
- 2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
- 2 tblsp all purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups of unsalted chicken or turkey stock
Before beginning please read and follow the instructions on your turkey fryer. Your fryer instructions may also come with recommendations for the amount of oil used. It is better to be a little low on oil as you put your turkey in and add oil than to have your fryer overflow, which would cause a fire.
Take your turkey out and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 45 minutes on a backing sheet with a rim. Remove the neck and giblets so you can use them for gravy later. While letting the turkey rest at room temperature pat dry with paper towels both inside and out. Remember to dry the bottom of the turkey and the entire inside cavity of the turkey.
Melt 3 tblsp of butter in a microwave safe bowl. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the flavored tea, the lemon juice, molasses, paprika, celery salt, mustard powder and 1/2 tsp each of the salt and pepper. Inject this solution into the breast, thighs and legs. Inject as much as you can into these parts of your turkey.
Place the turkey into the fryer basket and carefully lower it into the fryer and oil as per the manufacturers instructions. Cover and fry the turkey 3-4 minutes per pound until the meat registers 165 degree’s F on an instant read thermometer. Allow the oil to drain from the turkey for 20 minutes and let the turkey rest. After the turkey rests for 20-45 minutes carve and serve.
While the turkey is finishing cooking and then resting use the giblets and rest of the ingredients to make your gravy.
Southern Deep Fried Turkey Gravy;
For a wonderful side dish try;
No turkey dinner is complete without Mashed Potatoes;