Thanksgiving is almost here, and one of the best ways to cook your family's turkey is to deep fry it.
It sounds like overkill, but fried turkey tends to have crisper skin and juicier meat than turkey roasted in an oven. On top of that, frying a turkey rather than roasting it frees up vital oven space for stuffing, mac and cheese, dinner rolls and roast vegetables.
The quick list
If you’re after an all-round, versatile fryer, the Bayou Classic Propane Turkey Fryer Kit is a great option. Designed to cook large turkeys, it has a capacity of up to 32 quarts, and you have the option to use it as a stockpot for dishes like soup, stews or seafood.
For those on a budget, but still want tasty results, the Barton is an excellent choice. Its large 30 quart pot is ideal for preparing a range of family meals, and also designed to hold higher temperatures. The only downside is not having a timer, which means you’ll have to closely monitor cooking.
The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-less Liquid Propane Turkey Fryer is a great pick For a healthier alternative, Instead of relying on a vat of hot oil, this uses infrared heat that circulates around the cylinder to give a more crisp roast.
The best turkey fryers you can buy today
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Best overall
As our best overall turkey fryer, the Bayou Classic Turkey Fryer is great for cooking a feast or hosting a gathering. With a capacity of up to 32 quarts, it can handle some of the biggest turleys on the market.
The Bayou is well-built with thick, stainless steel legs, offering much-needed stability, and has a 4-inch, 59,000 BTU burner.
As well as producing tender and crispy poultry results, the Bayou is versatile to use all year. You can remove the rack and hook to use it as a stockpot for dishes like soup, stews, chili or seafood, and users online say this is very effective.
This turkey fryer has a 4.5 rating after 69 reviews on Amazon. Users find that that there 'so many things you can do with it', and that it is 'great value for the money', and that it 'holds a 21 lb. turkey with ease'.
It also comes with some handy features like a fry thermometer, a seasoning injector with a stainless needle to infuse your meats, and a heat-resistant glove to protect from hot oil. On top of that, it comes with a poultry rack, lift hook, vented lid and heavy-duty handles for extra safety.
Perhaps the only downside is that it uses a lot of oil, so you need to factor in costs for buying gallons over the years. However, the sheer capacity and roasting results make it an ideal fryer all year round.
Best budget
For those who want a multi-purpose, outdoor fryer kit for a great price, the Barton Turkey Deep Fryer is a strong choice. The kit comes with a powerful 37,000 BTU gas stove, burner stand and large 30-quart pot.
It’s designed to hold higher temperatures, creating better cooking results. As well as frying turkeys, it's a good option for gumbo, jambalaya, and seafood boils.
This turkey frying kit has a 45 rating from 1487 reviews. Users find that it makes 'The best turkey my family has ever had' and that it's 'Perfect for lobster boil'.
In addition, it comes with a regulator, temperature thermometer, hanger and marinade sauce syringe to ensure your turkeys remain tasty.
The only real downside is that it doesn't have a timer, which means you’ll have to closely monitor your cooking. Plus, assembling the fryer kit can be a little tricky. However, these can be overlooked by its sheer power, capacity and top performance.
Best oil-less
If you’re after a healthier alternative to deep frying, the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-less Liquid Propane Turkey Fryer is a great pick. Instead of submerging your turkey in a pot of boiling oil, this model uses infrared heat that circulates around the cylinder to give a more crisp and even roast like an air fryer.
This is an updated version of an earlier model; where its predecessor could handle turkeys up to 16 pounds, this new model can handle birds of up to 21lb. It might not work for the very biggest gatherings, but it will be fine for most turkeys. It can reach temperatures of up to 600F, and can cook an average-sized turkey in just over an hour.
It also includes a smoker, so you can make an even tastier turkey, infusing the meat with the kind of deep smoky flavor you can usually only get from a barbecue pit.
This fryer has a 4.7 out of 5 rating online. Users report that it makes ' '[the] best Thanksgiving turkey we've ever had' and that they 'expect this unit to last a lifetime.'
Handy features include a lifter to safely drop and remove your food, and a meat thermometer to give you precise temperatures. It is also equipped with a front-access grease tray to collect any meat drippings. This makes it much easier to clean with a simple wipe down.
Best of all, there’s no risk of hot oil to burn or spillage, making this a much safer option for a propane turkey fryer.
How to choose
What to look for when buying the best turkey fryer
Before you invest in the best turkey fryer, there are some things you need to consider. First, what capacity do you need to suit your backyard?
The usual rule is to allow 1.5lbs of turkey per person to have generous portions on Thanksgiving itself as well as some leftovers.
The smallest fryers, around 25-30 quarts, can handle a 16-18lb turkey. This is around the average size of a turkey, and all most people need - if you follow the 1.5 rule, an 18lb turkey will feed at least 10 people.
If you're having a larger gathering, you need a 30-35 quart fryer. These can cook larger turkeys up to around 20-22lbs, which is great for a crowd.
The truly huge fryers top out at 45 quarts, which is enough to tackle a huge 25lb turkey. Some of these fryers can even cook two birds at once.
Do you want a fryer that requires oil, or an oil-less fryer? For a healthier alternative, oil-free fryers are available that use radiant or infrared heat to ‘fry’ the turkey. Typically, using oil produces more crispy and tasty cooking results, which many prefer for their turkeys. However, these options are higher in fat content.
What’s more, it’s also worth looking at what features and accessories your fryer kit has. These can include a vented stainless steel lid, a perforated poultry rack and grab hook for easy lifting and removing, built-in thermometers, seasoning injectors or an insulated glove for safety.
What type of power do you prefer? Typically, the best turkey fryers work from propane, but there are electric models available. This will depend on the size of your outdoor space and needs.
Most turkey fryers are equipped with safety features, and it’s worthwhile knowing what these are. The most important safety feature is an automatic timer that will shut off your fryer, and prevent any overheating or possible fire.
Other safety features include a vented lid, a lifter to help remove the cooked turkey safely, and a heat-resistant glove to prevent scalds.
Turkey fryer safety tips
Turkey fryers require a lot of hot oil over an open flame, so always read the manual before using the best turkey fryer.
Tom's Guide news editor Alyse Stanley always deep fries her Thanksgiving turkey, and she has a few great tips for safely frying your turkey.
The first, if you turkey is frozen, is to ensure that it's fully thawed before you fry it. This is a crucial step, and it can be a huge fire risk. Alyse explains "If your turkey is still frozen when you lower it into the fryer, that extra water can cause the oil to furiously bubble and spill over, which can result in a fire."
To get around this, Alyse says, "The rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of fridge time for every 5 pounds of turkey", and to pat down the bird before you lower it into the fryer.
Alyse adds that it's crucial to work out the amount of oil you need ahead of time. She says "Use just enough oil that it barely covers the turkey after it's lowered into the fryer", as otherwise you're creating a fire risk.
On top of that, make sure you fry the turkey away from the house to prevent fires and burns. Always fry a turkey on a flat, fireproof surface like concrete slabs, not something flammable like a wooden deck or grass.
