There is nothing better than a deep fried turkey for Thanksgiving.

The meat is so moist and juicy, and the crispy, crackly skin is to-die-for.

Our family fries one every year. We love how it tastes, how easy it is and how it frees up an oven to bake our side dishes.

Here are some basic tips that will give you the crispiest and juiciest holiday turkey ever.

Tip No. 1: What size turkey to use?

When frying a turkey, purchase a smaller size turkey, 12- to 14-pound average. Most turkey fryers are made to cook these smaller turkeys.

Tip No. 2: Make sure your turkey is completely thawed.

Allow about three days to thaw that bird out in the refrigerator. It takes a lot longer than you think. You want to make sure the bird is completely thawed before you even think about putting it in the fryer.

Run under warm water for a minute to make sure that all the ice crystals in the cavity are melted.

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Tip No. 3: Dry your turkey. 

Pat your turkey dry, both inside and out, with paper towels before putting it in the fryer. This will remove any excess moisture that could cause the grease to splatter.

Tip No. 4: What about flavor?

Injections and dry rubs can be used to add flavor. Keep it traditional and inject melted butter mixed with poultry seasoning into the breast and leg meat and then rub the skin with your favorite herbs and spices. For a spicy Cajun turkey, inject your turkey with melted butter mixed with Cajun seasoning and cover the skin with your favorite Cajun dry rub.

Tip No. 5: Non-stick cooking spray prevents sticking.

If using an electric turkey fryer, spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray before placing the raw turkey in the basket. This simple step will prevent all that crispy skin from sticking and keep it on the turkey for you to enjoy.

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Tip No. 6: How should you fry your turkey? 

Three to four minutes per pound at a temperature of about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you’ll have a mouthwatering turkey in less than an hour!

Tip No. 7: Safety first!

Because turkey doesn’t taste good in a hospital room, always put safety first. Be sure to read your fryer’s manual for safety tips for both propane gas fryers and electric fryers.

And our tried-and-true advice: Consider investing in an electric turkey fryer. This device simplifies the cooking process, plus eliminates many of the safety hazards that are associated with propane gas fryers.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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