opinions on frying turkeys

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by FarrahWaters

If I was cooking the turkey this year, this is what I would use. You might need to double it, depending on how big your turkey is.

1 gallon water
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
6 cloves garlic, crushed
several sprigs of rosemary or thyme
2 bay leaves

Mix a day in advance, bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. Cool and pour into container big enough to hold brine and turkey. Refrigerate, breast side down for at least 12 hours, turning at least once.

Brining is very trendy this year. Personally, I would go with a fresh herbal rub since everyone else will be brining. I brined a turkey a few years ago and it worked out great. My recipe:

Water
Apple Cider
Kosher salt
brown sugar
cinnamon sticks
cloves
chili powder

[hyrum]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

good or bad?

I'm trying to decide whether to make the investment in the equipment and oil...

I recommend using a rotisserie. Couple years ago I upgraded my backyard grill to something bigger to be able to do whole chickens and turkeys this way (with propane). Sear the skin first and then slow roast, locks in the juices like the deep fryer without all the excess oil. Excellent flavor. Bad news is that this year it looks like its going to be quite cold and windy so I've already punted on cooking outdoors (takes too long in the cold) and we're going to do the oven bag thing.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by hyrum

I recommend using a rotisserie. Couple years ago I upgraded my backyard grill to something bigger to be able to do whole chickens and turkeys this way (with propane). Sear the skin first and then slow roast, locks in the juices like the deep fryer without all the excess oil. Excellent flavor. Bad news is that this year it looks like its going to be quite cold and windy so I've already punted on cooking outdoors (takes too long in the cold) and we're going to do the oven bag thing.

we have a smoker and have liked the results of smoking in the past. Want to try something different.

[YardTime]

Originally Posted by Archaea

"As God is my witness I thought turkeys could fly."

That was from WKRP in Cincinnati. Ummm.....can't remember the name of the guy that said it. Johnny something? That was supposed to have been a HILARIOUS episode.

I think the radio station had some kind of publicity stunt where they were dropping live turkeys from a helicopter and whoever caught them, got to keep them and have them for Thanksgiving or something. Unfortunately the turkeys, unable to fly, dropped like a rock.

Turkeys can actually fly though.

[JohnnyLingo]

Don't be a jerky, fry that turkey!

[MikeWaters]

How much oil for the average turkey? or better yet, how much $ in oil for the average turkey?

[BigFatMeanie]

Originally Posted by FarrahWaters

If I was cooking the turkey this year, this is what I would use. You might need to double it, depending on how big your turkey is.

1 gallon water
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
6 cloves garlic, crushed
several sprigs of rosemary or thyme
2 bay leaves

Mix a day in advance, bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. Cool and pour into container big enough to hold brine and turkey. Refrigerate, breast side down for at least 12 hours, turning at least once.

Farrah - I'm trying your brine recipe. Mixing it up right now. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[OrangeUte]

Originally Posted by YardTime

That was from WKRP in Cincinnati. Ummm.....can't remember the name of the guy that said it. Johnny something? That was supposed to have been a HILARIOUS episode.

I think the radio station had some kind of publicity stunt where they were dropping live turkeys from a helicopter and whoever caught them, got to keep them and have them for Thanksgiving or something. Unfortunately the turkeys, unable to fly, dropped like a rock.

Turkeys can actually fly though.

Johnny Fever.

WKRP was a great show - Les Nessman and his walls... oh, and that Loni Anderson - she drove my 10 year old self crazy!

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by YardTime

That was from WKRP in Cincinnati. Ummm.....can't remember the name of the guy that said it. Johnny something? That was supposed to have been a HILARIOUS episode.

I think the radio station had some kind of publicity stunt where they were dropping live turkeys from a helicopter and whoever caught them, got to keep them and have them for Thanksgiving or something. Unfortunately the turkeys, unable to fly, dropped like a rock.

Turkeys can actually fly though.

Mr. Carlson is who said it. Les Nessman was reporting from the mall when the turkeys were dropped from the helicopter.

IMO, it was the funniest episode of WKRP in Cincinnati.

And Orange, I always preferred Baily to Jennifer.

[BigFatMeanie]

Originally Posted by BigFatMeanie

Farrah - I'm trying your brine recipe. Mixing it up right now. I'll let you know how it turns out.

The turkey turned out pretty good. Significantly more moist than a regular turkey. Overall I don't think the brine added significant flavor to the turkey (I could only really taste it in the outer pieces) but the additional mositure was definitely better than an unbrined turkey.

One thing I forgot was to turn the turkey. Not sure what effect this had.

Brining is so easy that I really don't see a reason to ever cook a turkey again without brining it. Thanks for the recipe Farrah.