Have you considered including a fried turkey on your Thanksgiving dinner this year? To begin, you’ll need one of the greatest turkey fryers in your arsenal. Deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey has gone from a favorite among hardcore backyard enthusiasts to a mainstream option for cooking the bird in a turkey roaster during the last decade. There are numerous advantages to frying your bird, from the quick cooking times to the continuously juicy meat and ample crackly skin.
“A lot of people get intimidated when cooking turkeys, particularly because the breast and thighs cook at different rates,” explains chef Keith Sarasin, author of The Perfect Turkey Cookbook. “However, deep frying never yields a dry or undercooked turkey.” “Once you know the method, it is fail-safe.” However, not all turkey fryers are the same. We chose the Bayou Classic 32 Qt Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer as our top option because of its versatility, large capacity, and ease of use thanksgiving turkey recipe.
Chef Sarasin advises against sacrificing quality when purchasing a turkey fryer. “You want to invest in something thick and sturdy that you can use repeatedly,” he advises. We compiled this list of the top turkey fryers (indoors and outdoors) on the market based on research, consumer feedback, and expert advice.
- Best Overall Turkey Fryer: Bayou Classic Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer
- Best Propane Turkey Fryer: King Kooker Propane Outdoor Fryer
- Best Electric Turkey Fryer: Masterbuilt XL Electric Fryer
- Best Large Turkey Fryer: Bayou Classic Oversized Turkey Deep Fryer
- Best Oil-Free Turkey Fryer: Char-Broil The Big Easy Tru-Infrared Oil-Less Fryer
- Best Professional-Grade Turkey Fryer: Backyard Pro Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer
- Best Turkey Fryer On Amazon: CreoleFeast Turkey And Fish Fryer Boiler Steamer Set
Best Overall Turkey Fryer
A High-Quality Option That’s Great For Frying More Than Just Turkey
1. Bayou Classic Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer
$89$150Save $61 (41%)
Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
There’s a reason why Bayou Classic turkey fryers are on so many “best of” lists: they produce fast, high-quality results at an affordable price. The 32-quart pot includes a sturdy poultry rack with perforations for safely lowering and lifting your turkey into the hot oil and sturdy handles for easy lifting. This fryer makes home cooking versatile because a separate basket insert may be used for steaming, boiling, and large-batch cooking. (Canners and beer brewers will put the pot to good use all year.)
Pros:
- Less expensive than other models
- Versatile
- Easy clean up
Cons:
- Burner not included
Best Propane Turkey Fryer
A Heavy-Duty Fryer That’s Easy To Use
2. King Kooker Propane Outdoor Fryer
$80$149Save $69 (46%)
Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Aluminum | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
The King Kooker fryer has everything you need for a great Thanksgiving, except the oil, turkey, and propane tank. It features a 12-inch diameter burner and two heavy-duty aluminum pots (a 29-quart pot for the turkey and an 11-quart fry pan for wings, fish, and other smaller cooking operations). It cooks rapidly and efficiently, and it’s simple to put together. One thing to remember is that the safety timer automatically turns off the propane after 15 minutes, so make sure to stay close by if you need to cook for an extended period.
Pros:
- Comes with two, different-sized pots
- Versatile
Cons:
- Timer turns off propane every 15 minutes
Best Electric Turkey Fryer
A Dishwasher Safe Option That’s Perfect For Cooking Indoors
3. Masterbuilt XL Electric Fryer
$88
Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Aluminum and metal | Indoor/Outdoor: Both
Whether the temperatures drop too low or you prefer to cook inside, the Masterbuilt XL lets you fry a turkey without leaving your kitchen. The large capacity allows you to fry up to a 20-pound turkey, and the integrated cooking basket and lifting hook provide a safe and controlled cooking process. A built-in drain valve makes collecting and disposing of used cooking oil easier. The popeyes thanksgiving turkey pot, basket, cover, and drain valve are just a few dishwasher-safe components that simplify clean-up.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Dishwasher safe components
Cons:
- Frying indoors can leave a lingering oil smell
Best Large Turkey Fryer
An Oversized Option That Cooks For A Crowd
4. Bayou Classic Oversized Turkey Deep Fryer
$229
Capacity: 25 pounds | Material: Commercial-grade aluminum | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
This Thanksgiving, invite everyone over—the Grand Gobbler has you covered. The 42-quart pot (the firm’s largest fryer) readily accommodates a 25-pound turkey, making it simple to serve a great Thanksgiving dinner to a crowd. The commercial-grade aluminum pot and 14-inch steel frame burner are sturdy and safe, promoting efficient and consistent cooking. The Grand Gobbler has many attachments that will bring your fry game to the next level, including a deep-fry thermometer, a seasoning injector, a perforated fowl rack, and a lifting hook.
Pros:
- Cook for a crowd
- Sturdy design
Cons:
- Requires a lot of oil
Best Oil-Free Turkey Fryer
A Fryer That Makes Deliciously Crispy Turkey Without All The Excess Oil
5. Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less Fryer
$188
Capacity: 16 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
Air fryer fans will like char-broil’s oil-free turkey fryer. The fryer employs unique infrared heat technology to produce a juicy bird with crisp skin without using gallons of oil. There is no waiting for the oil to heat up to the proper frying temperature, and there are no hot and cold patches, so turkeys cook evenly on all sides. Additionally, the Char-Broil minimizes the possibility of splashing or leaking hot oil during the cooking process and the inconvenience of disposing of wasted oil. The Char-Broil can cook chicken, beef, lamb roasts, and pork tenderloin in addition to your Thanksgiving turkey.
Pros:
- No oil to dispose of after cooking
- Healthier alternative to traditional fried turkey
Cons:
- A bit smaller capacity than other models
Best Professional-Grade Turkey Fryer
A Large Capacity Fryer With A Seasoning Injector
6. Backyard Pro Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer
$133$140Save $7 (5%)
Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
The strong duty stand and thick stainless steel pot of the Backyard Pro produce restaurant-quality results in your backyard. The 30-quart pot adequately accommodates a 20-pound turkey, and the included perforated rack and grab hook make it easy to lower and lift confidently. Season your bird with the seasoning injector, then after Thanksgiving, use the perforated steam and boil basket to cook fish and veggies.
Pros:
- Heavy duty construction
- Large capacity
Cons:
- More expensive than other, similarly-sized models
Best Turkey Fryer On Amazon
A Crowd-Pleaser That’s Easy To Use And Clean
7. CreoleFeast Turkey And Fish Fryer Boiler Steamer Set
$130$150Save $20 (13%)
Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
With over 1,000 5-star customer reviews, this fryer is a consistent Amazon best-seller. The set contains two pots (30-quart and 10-quart), a perforated steamer basket, and a turkey rack with a lifting hook, as well as a thermometer, marinade injector, and a sturdy burner stand so that you can prepare everything from your Thanksgiving turkey to midweek French fries. Another advantage? CreoleFeast is praised by users for being both simple to use and easy to clean.
Pros:
- Comes with frying accessories
- Comes with two, different-sized pots
- Versatile
Cons:
- More expensive than other similarly-sized models
What To Look For In A Turkey Fryer
Here are the essential things to consider when looking for your ideal model.
Capacity
Turkey fryers come in various sizes to accommodate both little and large birds. Most main models can hold up to 20-pound turkeys with a few exceptions. Consider the size of your crowd and your guests’ appetites before shopping.
Safety
When cooking with hot oil, safety is of the utmost importance. Before attempting to fry a turkey, Sarasin says it must be properly thawed and dried off. He also recommends lowering the bird into the pot slowly and steadily, wearing protective heat-safe gloves, and using a high-smoke-point oil, such as peanut oil. Ensuring your sturdy burner is positioned on flat, firm ground also aids in accident prevention.
Additional Accessories/Features
Many turkey fryers have attachments and features intended to make cooking easier and more efficient. Look for a model with lifting hooks, chicken racks, seasoning injectors, and thermometers. Fryers with steamer baskets or smaller second pots make the fryer more adaptable because you can use it for steaming vegetables, boiling fish, or frying smaller portions of meat the rest of the year.
What Is The Best Turkey Fryer To Buy?
The ideal fryer for your home is determined by how frequently you intend to use it. Will you fry your Thanksgiving turkey and leave the equipment in the garage for the rest of the year, or will you bring it out for crab boils and other family gatherings throughout the summer? While we trust all of the fryers on this list, the Bayou Classic Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer stands out for its versatility and quality.
What Are The Different Types Of Turkey Fryers?
Turkey fryers come in three main varieties. Propane fryers, which run on propane gas, are the most frequent. The second type is an oil-free fryer, which cooks with infrared heat technology rather than oil and runs on propane gas. The third type of fryer is electric, which may be used indoors and outdoors.
What Is The Largest Turkey Fryer You Can Buy?
The largest turkey fryers can handle birds weighing 25 pounds or more. The Bayou Classic 42 Qt Grand Gobbler Turkey Deep Fryer, which can easily fry for a crowd, is our favorite for large birds.
How Long Will It Take To Fry A 20-Pound Turkey?
Frying a turkey takes an average of 4 pounds per minute, which implies a 20-pound bird can be cooked in 1 hour and 20 minutes. It would help if you also accounted for the time it takes the oil to get up to the necessary frying temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does Frying Make A Turkey Taste Better?
“There are huge flavor benefits to frying a turkey,” Sarasin says. “There’s a lot of crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat.” Of course, roasting a Thanksgiving turkey produces a beautiful bird, but because the breasts and thighs cook at different speeds, roasting makes it simpler to mistakenly undercook or dry out the bird.
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