So, what can you cook in a turkey fryer? A turkey may be prepared in a million different ways: roasted, brined, slow cooked, and so on. They’re all great, but none of them produce a turkey as crispy and juicy as deep frying it. A turkey fryer is a device used to deep-fry a turkey. In this blog, we also have an article about best turkey fryer that you might want to read about it. Below, I will show you about what can you cook in a turkey fryer.
Why would you get a turkey fryer for your Thanksgiving meal? Because a fried turkey has undeniable appeal: think crispy skin and extra-juicy meat. It’s also a space saver.”
Erica Finamore, author from thepioneerwoman.com
What Can You Cook In A Turkey Fryer?
So, what can you cook in a turkey fryer. If you already own a turkey fryer or are considering purchasing one, here are some of our other favorite applications for it.
- Seafood Boils: In your turkey fryer, you can both boil and fry seafood. The fryer is great for crawfish boils, low-country boils, and crab boils. Simply place the fish and toppings in the steamer basket and steam away. A turkey fryer is an excellent equipment for preparing seafood boils.
- Fish Fries: Given how often turkey fryers are utilized for community gatherings in the South, they could as well be named fish fryers. Make your own fish fry on Friday nights: Invite a large group of people over and let the turkey fryer produce enough fish fillets and hush puppies for everyone.
- Tamales steamed in turkey fryers: Yes, you can steam tamales in turkey fryers as well. Gather your friends and extended family to make tamales and steam enough for everyone to take home.
- Large Batches of Soup or Stew: Because the turkey fryer is really a giant stock pot, it’s ideal for preparing and storing large batches of chili or soup. It’s very useful for creating many batches of Eastern North Carolina Fish Stew.
- You Can Fry Almost Anything Else: Do you need to prepare a large quantity of fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, beignets, or onion rings quickly? As long as the fryer is on.
However, there are so many great benefits to using turkey fryers: crispy skin, juicy flesh, and of course, superior taste.”
Nikita Mahtani, author from simplyrecipes.com
Turkey Fryer Anatomy And How It Works
It consists of a large vat (usually made of steel) that is at least 4 feet tall with a dome on top. Inside the vat are several rods that go across the top like the bars of a cage. A wire mesh or metal grid goes across the bottom of the vat.
The turkey is placed inside the vat so it is suspended over the bottom wire mesh. A mechanical crank mechanism then turns a rod upward, which lifts the turkey off the bottom mesh and into the hot oil.
As the turkey continues to rise, more mechanical rods are moved into place until the turkey is completely immersed in the hot oil. The turkey continues to fry until it reaches an internal temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then the turkey is removed from the vat and placed on a rack to drain. The oil is then drawn off and recycled for another batch of turkeys. When the oil is clear, it is discarded.
Benefits of Turkey Fryer
- It’s fast! It only takes about 40-minutes from start to finish. By comparison, roasting a 15-pound turkey can take as much as 12-hours. And you know what? A turkey that has been fried in turkey fryer oil will actually stay crispy and juicy even after 3-days of refrigeration! (Routinely, when I serve a fried turkey, it is still as good as new!)
- It’s healthy! Deep-fried foods are actually healthier than baked or broiled foods because they contain less fat and have fewer calories. And, frying a turkey rather than baking or grilling it also eliminates most of the drippings which are very high in cholesterol. The truth is, there is very little nutritional value in the rendered fat from a turkey anyway, so it makes sense to get rid of it when you cook the bird. In addition, the antioxidants in the turkeys’ liver are destroyed during the frying process.
- It’s cheap! To deep-fry a 15-pound turkey will only cost you about $3.50 per pound. By comparison, it costs approximately $4.00 per pound to roast a 15-pound turkey. (Of course, you’ll have to buy all the other ingredients necessary to prepare the bird including the trimmings.)
- You can make a lot of money with a turkey fryer! A single fryer can produce up to 3-pounds of fried turkey every hour. With a small investment in meat and other ingredients, you can earn $1,000 or more per day by renting your turkey fryer to others who want to cook a few turkeys themselves. Or, if you have a large restaurant or takeout business, you can buy a turkey fryer outright for less than $2,500 and produce enough fried turkey to satisfy the appetites of thousands. Just imagine the amount of money you could make if you were to sell 100% turkey fryer oil.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.