Alton Brown’s Foolproof Fried Turkey – Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat

Alton Brown’s Fried Turkey: A Delicious and Easy Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and good food. And what better way to celebrate than with a delicious, juicy fried turkey? Alton Brown’s fried turkey recipe is the perfect way to do just that. It’s easy to follow, even for novice cooks, and the results are sure to impress everyone at the table.

In this article, we’ll take a look at Alton Brown’s fried turkey recipe in detail. We’ll discuss the ingredients you’ll need, the steps involved in the cooking process, and tips for making the best fried turkey ever. So whether you’re a seasoned cook or a complete beginner, read on for all the information you need to know about making Alton Brown’s fried turkey.

Ingredients	Instructions	Tips
1 (12- to 14-pound) turkey, thawed 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried oregano	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, water, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, thyme, and oregano. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan and pour the marinade over it. Turn the turkey to coat it evenly in the marinade. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 3 hours. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.	To make the turkey ahead of time, brine it in the marinade for up to 24 hours. If you don’t have a roasting pan large enough to hold the turkey, you can cook it in a large stockpot. To make sure the turkey is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to be more tender.

Ingredients

For the Alton Brown fry turkey recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

* 1 (12- to 14-pound) turkey, thawed
* 3 cups buttermilk
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1 cup water
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

Equipment

You will need the following equipment to fry a turkey according to Alton Brown’s recipe:

* A large stockpot or Dutch oven
* A deep-frying thermometer
* A turkey fryer basket
* A large spoon or slotted spoon
* A pair of tongs
* A fire extinguisher
* A large platter or baking sheet
* Paper towels

Instructions

To fry a turkey according to Alton Brown’s recipe, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the turkey. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity and reserve for another use.
2. Marinate the turkey. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, water, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin, and coriander. Place the turkey in the marinade and turn to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Fry the turkey. Fill a large stockpot or Dutch oven with 3 inches of oil and heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a deep-frying thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of bread into it. If the bread sizzles and floats to the top, the oil is ready.
4. Carefully lower the turkey into the hot oil using the turkey fryer basket. The turkey should be submerged up to the neck. Cover the pot and cook the turkey for 3 to 4 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Remove the turkey from the oil and let it drain on a large platter or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow the turkey to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Tips

Here are a few tips for frying a turkey according to Alton Brown’s recipe:

* Use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is cooked to the proper temperature.
* Be careful when handling the hot oil. Use oven mitts or potholders to protect your hands.
* Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a grease fire.
* Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the meat more tender.

Alton Brown’s fried turkey is a delicious and impressive dish that is sure to impress your guests. With a little preparation, you can easily fry a turkey at home that is juicy and flavorful.

Ingredients

* 1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh or frozen turkey
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1 cup apple cider vinegar
* 1 cup water
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Steps

1. Prepare the turkey. If using a fresh turkey, thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before cooking. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity of the turkey and discard. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Make the brine. In a large pot or container, combine the vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, water, salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring the brine to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the salt. Remove the brine from the heat and let cool completely.
3. Brine the turkey. Place the turkey in a large bowl or container and pour the brine over it. Make sure the turkey is completely submerged in the brine. Cover the bowl or container with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
6. Roast the turkey for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) at the thickest part of the thigh. Baste the turkey with the pan drippings every 30 minutes.
7. Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Tips

* To make sure the turkey is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
* If you don’t have time to brine the turkey, you can still fry it. Just skip the brining step and increase the cooking time by 30 minutes.
* Be careful not to overcook the turkey, as it will become dry and tough.
* Serve the turkey with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

Fry turkey is a delicious and festive way to cook a turkey. It’s a great option for a holiday meal or a special occasion. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily fry a turkey that is juicy and flavorful.

Q: How do I fry a turkey according to Alton Brown?

A: To fry a turkey according to Alton Brown, you will need the following ingredients:

* A 12- to 14-pound turkey, thawed
* 3 quarts peanut oil
* 1 cup kosher salt
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 cup apple cider vinegar
* 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
2. Add the turkey to the brine and turn to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to overnight.
3. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry.
4. Heat the peanut oil in a large pot or Dutch oven until it reaches 350 degrees F.
5. Carefully lower the turkey into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
6. Remove the turkey from the oil and drain on a wire rack.
7. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Q: What is the best temperature to fry a turkey?

A: The best temperature to fry a turkey is 350 degrees F. This will ensure that the turkey is cooked evenly and thoroughly.

Q: How long does it take to fry a turkey?

A: It takes approximately 3-4 minutes per pound to fry a turkey. So, a 12-pound turkey will take about 48 minutes to fry.

Q: What can I do if the turkey is too brown on the outside?

If the turkey is too brown on the outside, you can reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. This will allow the turkey to cook through without becoming overcooked.

Q: What can I do if the turkey is not cooked through?

If the turkey is not cooked through, you can return it to the hot oil and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. Be sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches 165 degrees F.

Q: What are some tips for frying a turkey?

Here are some tips for frying a turkey:

* Use a large pot or Dutch oven that is deep enough to hold the turkey and the oil.
* Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the turkey.
* Carefully lower the turkey into the hot oil.
* Do not overcrowd the pot.
* Fry the turkey for 3-4 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
* Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when frying a turkey?

Here are some common mistakes people make when frying a turkey:

* Not using a large enough pot or Dutch oven.
* Not letting the oil get hot enough before adding the turkey.
* Overcrowding the pot.
* Frying the turkey for too long.
* Not letting the turkey rest before carving and serving.

Q: What are some safety precautions to take when frying a turkey?

Here are some safety precautions to take when frying a turkey:

* Use caution when handling hot oil.
* Wear gloves to protect your hands.
* Keep children and pets away from the frying area.
* Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of a fire.

Alton Brown’s fried turkey recipe is a delicious and easy way to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving or any other holiday. The key to success is to brine the turkey for at least 24 hours, then fry it in a large pot of oil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes per pound. Be sure to let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before carving it. This recipe will yield a juicy, flavorful turkey that is sure to please everyone at your table.