The Best Deep Fried Turkey Breast – Quick Look
- Ready In: 40 minutes!
- Serves: 14-16 people
- Main Ingredients: bone-in turkey breast, peanut oil & butter
- Dietary Info: dairy-free, gluten-free, kid-friendly
- Best For: Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion (doesn’t have to be a holiday)
- Origin: After testing and perfecting my deep fried turkey recipe, I saw just how fast a turkey can be cooked and without using ANY space in the oven! Which means more space for my favorite side dish recipes (like, the BEST stuffing recipe). So, in this post I will show you exactly how to deep fry a turkey breast safely & quickly!
This is my favorite way to quickly cook the most juicy turkey and if you have a whole turkey, check out our deep fried turkey recipe!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Bone-In Turkey Breast – determine the size of the turkey breast by calculating how much turkey breast per person is needed for your gathering.
- Peanut Oil – highly recommend for deep frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. Vegetable oil can be used, if someone has a peanut allergy.
- Butter – I use regular butter or plant-based butter to baste the fried turkey breast.
Equipment for Deep Frying Turkey Breast
Pieces of equipment needed:
- outdoor fry boil package – includes the propane burner, large pot, basket, & lifting hook.
- meat thermometer – always a must when cooking any type of meat.
- large sheet pan – for the basket to sit on after being removed.
Preparing the Fryer Safely
Follow these simple steps to safely deep fry a turkey breast:
- The turkey breast must be FULLY THAWED! This cannot be stressed enough. Follow simple instructions on how to thaw a turkey and then bring it to room temperature.
- Set up the deep fryer outside on a flat surface that is a good distance from the house and out of the wind.
- Do a test run by placing the turkey breast in the fryer and measuring the amount of water needed to fully submerge it. This will tell you how much oil you will need. Remove the turkey, water, and dry the pot before heating it. Be sure to not let the oil level go over the side of the pot.
How To Deep Fry A Turkey Breast
Step 1 – Let the thawed turkey breast come to room temperature, while you set-up the fryer.
Step 2 – Add the amount of peanut oil needed to the large pot and start bringing it up to 375-400 degrees F.
Pro Tip
Hot oil by itself does not boil (like water), so be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature of the oil to know when it is hot.
Step 3 – Put the turkey breast in the metal basket and use the lifting hook + oven mitt to VERY slowly lower it into the hot oil.
Step 4 – Let the turkey breast fry for 3 1/2 minutes per pound or until it reaches an internal temperature of 163 degrees F (use an instant-read thermometer).
| Turkey Breast Size | Cook Time |
| 4 pounds | 14 minutes |
| 5 pounds | 17.5 minutes |
| 8 pounds | 28 minutes |
| 10 pounds | 35 minutes |
Step 5 – Carefully remove the basket and set it on a large baking sheet. Let turkey rest for 10-15 minutes and use a basting brush to baste the outside with melted butter, once it it cool enough to remove from the basket.
Turkey Breast Carving Tips
Carving a turkey breast is actually pretty simple, just follow step-by-step instructions on how to carve a turkey breast! It will show you how to easily cut the breast meat from the turkey carcass.
Best Ways To Serve Deep-Fried Turkey Breast
Enjoy deep fried turkey breast slices with all of your favorite side dish recipes, like Yukon gold mashed potatoes, crock pot stuffing, Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole with Bacon! If you are looking for even more delicious side dishes, check out our round-up of Thanksgiving Side Dishes. There are family favorite recipes for everyone!
Deep Fried Turkey FAQs
Lower the turkey into the oil and it will have a natural drop in temperature to 325-350 degrees F. As the turkey cooks it should come back up, but keep an eye on it. You will want it to stay around 350-375 degrees F for best results.
This depends on the size of the turkey. A good rule of thumb is to calculate 3.5 minutes per pound. For an 8 pound turkey breast and it took about 28-30 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 163 degrees F.
If you are thinking about deep frying a whole bird, starting with a turkey breast might feel like a good starting point for beginners. Both sizes are easy to make and the end result is juicy meat on the inside and crispy skin on the outside.
Other Bone In Turkey Breast Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
- 8 pound bone-in turkey breast, thawed
- 3 gallons peanut oil, enough to fully cover turkey breast while cooking
- 2-3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Thaw: Completely thaw the turkey breast (very important) – do not cook unless it is 100% thawed – and let it sit out to get to room temperature. Be sure to remove gravy packet.
- Brine (optional): Feel free to brine the turkey before frying, if you choose (optional).
- Peanut Oil: When ready to deep fry, add enough peanut oil to an aluminum deep fryer (you can test out how much you need by practicing with water first), so that your turkey will be completely submerged – do not put the turkey in the oil until it is hot.
- Temperature: Bring oil temperature up to 375-400 degrees F. – do NOT let it go over 400 degrees F, as it is very dangerous and could catch on fire. Keep the pot covered when heating the oil. Use a fryer thermometer or meat thermometer to keep an eye on the oil temp.
- Slowly Lower Turkey: Place turkey breast in the aluminum basket (usually comes with a turkey fryer) and very, VERY slowly lower it into the hot oil using the hook/hanger that comes with your turkey fryer (and have an oven mitt on). Ensure oil does not bubble over the top of the pot.
- Temperature: The oil temperature will drop from 375-400 degrees F. down to 350-325 degrees F when the turkey is added. You are going to want to cook the turkey at 350 degrees F. for 3 1/2 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the breast reaches 162/163 degrees F (use an instant-read thermometer).
- Remove + Baste: Carefully remove the fry basket from the deep fryer and place the entire thing, with the turkey breast inside, on a large baking sheet. Let cool at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Carefully remove turkey breast from the basket and place on a serving platter. Use a basting brush to baste with melted butter. Let rest for another 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Carve & Serve: Use a carving knife to remove the turkey breasts from the bone and serve!
Notes
- Do I Need to Prep/Pat Dry the Turkey: No need to pat dry or rub with olive oil beforehand – it will be basted with melted butter after cooking! Option to use an apple cider brine to brine the turkey beforehand, but that’s completely optional and it will turn out amazing either way.
- Cooking Time: the cooking time in the recipe card was calculated using an 8 pound turkey breast (8 lbs x 3.5 minutes = 28 minutes). Be sure to calculate the cook time based on the size of your turkey breast.
- Peanut Oil: Purchase from your local grocery store. You will most likely need 3 gallons (this will depend on the size of the turkey and deep fryer).
- Fully Thaw: turkey MUST be fully thawed and at room temperature before deep frying. Check out our tutorial on how to thaw a turkey, if needed!
Erin says
So good – turned out so juicy!