Do you want to make some seriously delicious deep fried turkey this next holiday feast? Then you’re certainly in the right place. Keep on reading for our top recipes for fried turkey rub, including our favourites from Paula Deen and Martha Stewart.
Easter and Thanksgiving…is it time yet? And, is today the day that you’re going to kick your cooking deliciousness up to the next level? We sincerely hope so.
Deep Fried Turkey Rub Recipes: The Top 10
If you’re looking to kick your deep-fried turkey deliciousness into high gear, then you’ll need to use one of these top rub recipes. Unlike cooking a turkey in an oven, when you deep fry turkey, you’ve only got one chance! You need to get those flavours sealed in at the start.
Keep on reading for our top 10 best turkey recipes. And, if you’re just getting started with turkey frying, then you’ll need to check out this article: How to Deep Fry a Turkey. We give you all the basic information you need to do it deliciously, and more importantly, safely.
#1 Dry Rub for Deep Fried Turkey: Paula Deen
Paula Deen fried turkey? Yes please! This recipe has some high praise from thousands of people who’ve tried it out. Yes, it really is that good and should be the first one you consider trying out.
Paula Deen is basically the queen of all things deep fried delicious. Trust us on this one. If you’re looking for some solid advice on frying just about anything, Paula Deen should be your first choice.
Here is her secret rub recipe. It has a nice mix of flavour and heat and if you’re from the South, it’ll feel like a taste of home.
2 Tablespoons of House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 Tablespoons of Rub:
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper or other chili powder that you like
This Paula Deen deep fried turkey rub will not disappoint! Check it out for yourself and your guests will be raving. The flavor is just so good. Pair with a big glass of red or white wine, okay?
Perhaps the best thing though about this Paula Deen rub? You can save yourself a ton of money by making your own simple recipes instead of buying pre-made fried turkey seasonings. It really is super easy so try it out for yourself. Paula Deen and fried turkey? It’s a match made in heaven!
Recipe #2: Martha Stewart Deep Fried Turkey
Next up on our list is the one from Martha Stewart. She definitely knows what she’s doing in the kitchen and she’s a solid choice for anything deep fried cooking, including your Thanksgiving turkey.
Here’s her recipe for a fried turkey:
25 medium, whole bay leaves
3 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme
3 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns
3 tablespoons hot creole seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
Grind up all the ingredients in a coffee/spice grinder. Rub 1/3 on outside of turkey, 1/3 under skin and 1/3 on the inside of the turkey. Let turkey sit in the fridge for 24 hours before frying.
If you’re looking for the best fried turkey rub, this one should be at the top of your list! Martha Stewart Fried Turkey? Yes please, don’t mind if I do! Anything with Stewart’s name on it is usually a sure sign that something will be delicious and this American favourite is no exception.
#3 Fried Turkey Recipe: Patrick and Gina Neely
Next up is a turkey rub recipe from Patrick and Gina Neely from the Food Network. It’s a super simple, classic recipe that will have your guests coming back for more next year! Remember, it’s all about fried turkey seasonings, and this one is certainly a good one.
Here’s what you need for this deep frying rub:
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
1.5 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1.5 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Put your fried turkey seasonings on the skin, under the skin and on the inside of the turkey. Let sit in the fridge for 24 hours before deep frying.
Learn How to Deep Fry a Turkey
Do you want to learn more about what it takes to deep fry a turkey. Check out this step-by-step guide to getting the job done, the delicious and safe way.
#4 Deep Fried Turkey Rub Recipe: Epicurious
Epicurious is another one of our go-to sources for all things cooking. We’ve basically never found a bad recipe on this site, and we’re sure you’ll have the same experience. Check out this classic deep fried turkey rub recipe that’s perfect for your next Thanksgiving or Christmas feast:
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons (each) freshly ground pepper, dried thyme, rosemary, and ground paprika
Spread the rub under the skin, on top of the skin and inside the turkey cavity. That’s all you need to do before deep frying a turkey. It’ll turn that fat on the skin into something seriously delicious!
Recipe #5: Southern Rub from Chowhound
Another one of our favourite recipe sites is Chowhound. Similar to Epircurious, these guys really know what they’re doing in the kitchen and we’ve never had a bad recipe from this site. Here is their Southern Style rub recipe. It’s most certainly one of our favourite deep fried turkey recipes if you like a wee bit of heat.
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons dry mustard, such as Colman’s
6 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons filé powder
2 teaspoons hot paprika (for a bit of heat)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dash of thyme
Coat the inside and outside of the turkey completely with the rub, as well as under the skin. Place in a plastic bag and let rest overnight before deep frying.
Award Winning Turkey Frying Recipe
Check out this delicious recipe that is sure to impress your friends and family on that next big holiday feast. Warning: they’ll likely keep coming back for more and more next year!
#6: Chairman of the Bird Gourmet Poultry Rub
We know, we know…you’re busy around the holiday season and maybe don’t have time to get all these ingredients for your turkey or chicken rub. Why not buy a seasoning rub for deep fried turkey that’s ready to go, and all you have to do is put it on the bird, and then fry it.
One of our favourites is this one from Chairman of the Bird. Here’s what you need to know about it about this rub:
- Gluten free
- Low salt
- All natural ingredients
- Contains herbs, spices, citrus and cranberries
You just have to clean the turkey, brush with olive oil, and then use this Chairman of the Bird rub. You can also add a little bit more salt if you wish, according to your taste.
What People are Saying about It
“It totally exceeded my expectations. I bought it to use for my Thanksgiving turkey, but I now use it on just about everything—I love that it’s easy on the salt, and I can add my own if I wish. My kids are now demanding that I do this for Christmas as well!”
“I usually make my own rubs for poultry, but bought this one on a whim. I was pleasantly surprised that it was even better than the one I usually make myself! This chicken rub will have a place in my cupboard for as long as the company keeps making it.”
- BLACK FRIDAY - CYBER MONDAY SPECTACULAR SALE ***
- PERFECT GOURMET SPICE RUB AND SEASONING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
- PREMIUM DELUXE SAVORY HERBS, RARE SPICES , ORGANICS CITRUS AND REAL DICED CRANBERRIES
- HAND-CRAFTED, ALL NATURAL - GLUTEN FREE - VERY LOW SALT - PLUS HEALTHY TURMERIC
- ENJOY THIS DOUBLE DOSE OF AMERICA'S #1 HOLIDAY HELPER - A TRUE TASTE OF THE AMERICAS!!!
Where to Buy this Dry Rub for Fried Turkey
You can shop online here for one of our favourite pre-made dry rubs for deep fried turkey. Click the button below to find out more, and don’t forget to check and see if this product is eligible for free shipping with a Prime membership:
p.s. This stuff is amazing with chicken cooked in the slow cooker. Just season the chicken with it and some fresh cracked black pepper, put it in the crockpot with a few veggies and a wee bit of broth and it’ll come out delicious.
#7: Victoria Taylor’s Turkey Rub
Another one of our favourite prepared turkey rubs is this one from Victoria Taylor. Like the previous one, it also has some excellent customer reviews and ratings on Amazon.
Here are a few of the things you’ll love about it:
- Special blend of herbs and spices developed especially for turkey and stuffing
- Choose from one of their special stuffing recipes designed for use with their spice mix
- Can also be used for chicken, or their delicious flatbread recipe.
What People are Saying
“They’re a really nice shortcut for helping me make some delicious food, including turkey. I use mine for a ton of stuff besides just poultry and stuffing.”
“They seem a bit expensive, but keep in mind that you’re getting two jars of them. And the results? Totally worth it. I used mine for fried turkey and my family couldn’t get enough of it. I’ll be back next year!”
Where to Buy Victoria Taylor’s Dry Rub
You can buy it online here. Click the button below to learn more about it and also to check for the best prices. Make your next at home dinner party an extra special one:
Recipe #8: The Wooden Skillet
We LOVE how simple this recipe is from the Wooden Skillet. This dry rub for deep fried turkey quite literally just needs two ingredients and will take you a couple of minutes to pull together. It may be just what you need on that busy Thanksgiving or Christmas day to keep your sanity!
They recommend frying your Thanksgiving turkey in peanut oil. Then, once it’s done (according to the internal temperature as checked by a meat thermometer), take it out and let it rest for 30 minutes. During that time, slather the outside with 1 stick melted butter, with 2-3 teaspoons of salt mixed in.
Seriously, that’s it.
We’d also recommend adding a few sprinkles of fresh ground pepper. Because, what’s salt without pepper? Are we right?
Have your fried a turkey with this style of recipe? Share your tips and tricks with us in the comments below please. And be sure to give this picture a share on Pinterest:
Fried Turkey Recipes
#9: Italian Seasoned Fried Turkey
Here’s one for the Italians out there from Oh Sweet Basil.
They first brined their turkey with salt (2 cups) and water (2 gallons) for 4 hours. They then dried it and put it into the fridge for eight hours.
Quick note from us about safety: It can be EXTREMELY dangerous to fry a turkey that is not completely dry. It can explode, burning you, and possibly your entire house down. If you brine it first, be sure to dry it well, and let it rest for at least a few hours out of the liquid before frying. This is the main thing to keep in mind! Safety first, okay?
Here’s the poultry dry rub part:
- 2 Cloves of Garlic
- 1-2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Mix them well, and then place on, and under the skin. You could also put some on the inside of the turkey as well. Then, follow the instructions and tips that came along with your fryer for best results.
This recipe lends itself well to an Italian side dish or two, like pasta, garlic bread, or salad.
#10 Fried Turkey Rub: Unsophisticook
Here’s a very simple recipe from Unsophisticook. Like many others, they also recommend using peanut oil to fry your turkey.
Here’s what you need:
- 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
Mix them together, and then rub all around the outside, and inside of your turkey. Make sure it’s dry and at room temperature. Then fry it at 375 degrees according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to let the juices set before carving. Oh yeah, the leftover turkey is delicious in an omelette, or a skillet scramble so enjoy it for breakfast the next day, okay?
What about a Marinade for Fried Turkey?
There are certainly some people who advocate brining a turkey, or injecting marinades in order to get the most delicious results. However, these are often not the best options for when you’re deep frying something.
Remember, water and hot oil don’t really mix that well. As best, you’ll get some splatter. At worst, you’ll get an exploding vat of oil and a burning house. Seriously. It can be that bad when you cook a turkey in a pot of boiling oil.
So, if you’re going to brine your turkey and then fry it, remember to dry it 100%. Yes, every little single bit, even the inside. Then, we don’t recommend using marinades.
Looking for a Turkey Deep Fryer?
If you’re looking to buy a turkey fryer, then you’ll need to check out some of our most popular articles for help in choosing the best one for you and your family. There are a few different options for turkey fryers, including the following:
Outdoor Fryers– these ones run on propane and use oil for cooking.
Indoor Fryers– the best ones are made by Masterbuilt Butterball, use oil and run on electricity. While there are some indoor air fryers, we don’t really recommend them because they are usually too small in size to work for anything besides the smallest turkeys.
Let’s be real. That next dinner party of yours will be like no other with a turkey that’s deep fried. Seriously. Try it and you’ll see. Turkeys are not just for Thanksgiving.
Deep Fried Turkey Rub: Have your Say!
What is your go-to recipe for a dry rub for fried turkey? Do you go with Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, or someone else? Yes, it’s a big decision and you most certainly shouldn’t take it lightly.
Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.
And don’t forget to share this on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. It’ll help other foodies, like yourself find this useful resource.
Last update on 2019-12-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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