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If you’ve never had a deep-fried turkey for Thanksgiving, you just don’t know what you’re missing. Mom and dad have been deep frying their holiday bird for decades. Deep-fried turkey is crispy on the outside and so tender on the inside.
We always use mom’s deep-fried turkey rub when we fry a turkey. We just stir the seasonings together, rub them on the turkey and we’re good to go.
Actually, the first time I tasted this moist, crispy, well-seasoned turkey was at my parents’ house. And I’ve been on the bandwagon for several years now.
Our Family Is A Big Fan of Deep-Fried Turkey
The fried turkey not only tastes better than baked (in my humble opinion) but frying it also frees up my ovens and my time since the turkey fries so quickly. Mom’s Deep Fried Turkey Rub seasons the turkey perfectly.
My parents fry their bird outside using their propane-fueled deep fryer. I did that for a few years until I found an indoor electric deep fryer and I love it. It’s just an easier clean up for me.
This is the turkey fryer I use.
Ingredients You’ll Need For Mom’s Deep Fried Turkey Rub
You can find the simple recipe down below. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Garlic Powder
- Seasoned Salt (I use Lawry’s with no MSG)
- Cayenne Pepper (just a pinch!)
- Lemon Pepper
- Creole Seasoning (like Zatarain’s)
Fried Turkey Cooking Times
Deep-fried turkey only takes about 3 minutes per pound to fry in my electric turkey fryer. The oil takes about 30 minutes to heat before adding the turkey so make sure you add the preheating time to your Thanksgiving Day timeline. Grab my free Thanksgiving Day planner.
Always follow the directions on your deep fryer when you fry a turkey.
Tips For Deep-Frying a Turkey
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed! Rinse to make sure all ice crystals are removed from the turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
- Remember to remove the neck and giblet pack!
- Rub the turkey with mom’s turkey rub before frying!
- Please use extreme caution when deep-frying a turkey!
What Kind Of Oil Do You Use To Fry A Turkey?
I always use peanut oil for deep frying because of its high smoke point. The turkey cooks quickly without absorbing very much of the oil. Plus, peanut oil is stable and doesn’t have an odor and it has a neutral taste.
I know peanut oil is expensive and it takes a lot to fill the turkey cooker, but it’s worth it to me for this one day out of the entire year.
Mom’s Deep Fried Turkey Rub
We always use Mom's Deep Fried Turkey rub when we fry our turkey at Thanksgiving. It seasons the turkey to perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Seasoned Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Creole Seasoning
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and rub on turkey. It's best to rub the turkey the night before and let sit overnight in the fridge. But I've actually done it 30 minutes before frying and it was still good. Deep fry 3 minutes per pound at 325 degrees or according to your deep fryer. Enjoy!
Notes
Use whatever brand you'd like for the seasonings. I do use Lawry's seasoned salt with no MSG.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 11Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 1751mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 0g
Click the link below to see how I deep fry a turkey!
You can see exactly How to Deep Fry a Turkey.
If you had rather roast that bird, I’ve got you covered on how to roast a turkey.
30 comments
Alli, this rub sounds wonderful! Once, we tried to deep fry a turkey at my sister-in-law’s house with an older, deep fryer outside. I’m not quite sure what happened, but a small bush nearby caught fire (so did the turkey!) It was an interesting holiday, lol! I’m going to keep this rub recipe handy in case we brave it again sometime! Thanks so much for sharing and have a wonderful day!
I’ve heard horror stories of deep frying gone terribly wrong. That’s one of the reasons I use an electric turkey fried inside. I bet it was an interesting holiday.
Best turkey ever!!!!
Yes it is!
What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing that, it is great to hear about such kindness. We love deep fried turkey at our house too.
I may try the turkey this year…you never know! Yes, I still want my ham as a backup. lol
Oh, that sounds yummy. I wonder if I can get my uncle to use this on our turkey this year…
I’ve thought of getting a deep frier a few times over the years, just so we could do turkey that way. I’ve only had it once, but it was the most delicious bird I’ve ever tasted.
I had never been a big fan of turkey until I had it deep fried and I rarely deep fry anything. Of course, I bake a ham, too.
I had deep fried turkey once and it was excellent! Your rub sounds wonderful and what a sweet story about the restaurant owner.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Alli!
Hope your Thanksgiving Day is wonderful, Doreen!
My mom and mom–in-law cook the turkeys. We do 2 Thanksgivings every year. My mom in the oven; my mom in law in a turkey roaster. I’ve never had deep-fried turkey, but I would love to try one sometime! The rub sounds great!
Two Thanksgivings – yum!
This rub sounds great! I bet it’s good on more than just turkey. Pinned! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Alli, I have a butterball indoor fryer and let me say, It’s the way to go… Besides, when I’m not frying in it, I can boil in it or steam in it also. Love it!
That’s the one I have, too! Love it! Happy Thanksgiving.
We just had one amazing turkey due to this rub recipe. Was a big hit at the family dinner. Thank you.
I’m so glad! Comments like this one really make my day! Have a great weekend.
Yum! That sounds (and looks like) a really delicious recipe. I’m going to give it a go next holidays for sure.
I’ve never deep fried a turkey before and I’m wondering if you just use the rub or do you inject it with something as well? I just want to make sure I do this right.
No need to inject it! The rub gives it plenty of flavor and deep frying it keeps it moist and tender.
Thank you! It was absolutely delicious. My family loved it and we plan on using this recipe for years to come.
How do u think this rub would work on a smoked turkey??? It sounds amazing
I say yes! I think it would work perfectly.
Hello! With the Cajun spice does it make it very spicy? We have 4 little ones that will be eating with us and this will be our first fried turkey with an in door fryer
It’s not too spicy for our family. None of the children have ever complained about it being too spicy. You could omit the cayenne pepper if you’d like.
This looks so yummy! Would you please share which seasoning salt you use?
Lawry’s seasoning salt or even the store brand. I always make sure it’s one with no MSG.
This was amazing! Had a 65th wedding anniversary party for my in-laws. It was a huge hit!
So glad it was a hit!!