Can You Fry A Frozen Turkey? What Happens When You Do It?

Content Summary

We've all seen the videos of people deep frying a turkey. But let's be real for a moment—frying a turkey is extremely dangerous. Not to mention, it's nearly impossible to do if your turkey is frozen solid. So, can you fry a frozen turkey? Let's find out.

Why You Should Never Deep Fry A Frozen Turkey

The Risks of Frying a Frozen Turkey

Before we get into whether or not you can actually fry a frozen turkey, let's talk about the risks involved in doing so.

First and foremost, deep frying a turkey is incredibly dangerous. If you don't have the proper equipment and know-how, you can easily start a huge grease fire. And we all know how quickly those can get out of control.
Beyond the risk of starting a house fire, deep frying a turkey can also lead to food poisoning. According to the USDA, when turkeys are fried at temperatures that are too low, bacteria can multiply quickly.
And since most people don't have thermometers that can accurately measure the temperature of the oil they're using, it's almost impossible to ensure that your turkey has reached a safe internal temperature.

Can You Fry A Frozen Turkey? So Is It Possible?

Now that we've talked about some of the risks involved in frying a frozen turkey, let's address the question at hand—can you actually do it?

...A sort of, only with the right equipment, BUT, it's extremely dangerous.

And even if by a miracle you are able to fry your frozen turkey all the way through without a disaster, the food will not taste good. In fact, it's more likely that it will taste terrible because the meat will be dried out while the inside is uncooked.

No one wants a disaster or a dry, bland turkey on Thanksgiving (or any other day, for that matter).

In A Nutshell

As tempting as it might be to try and deep fry your frozen turkey, resist the urge and never do it! Not only is it dangerous, but it's also nearly impossible to do properly.

What happens when you put a frozen turkey in a deep fryer? | On Demand News

The smartest way to cook your turkey is by thawing it in the fridge and marinating it for a few days before using your go-to cooking method, whether that's in an oven, air fryer toaster oven combo, or a halogen oven. By doing this ahead of time, you can be positive that your final meal will be a delicious and safe meal that everyone will enjoy.