Our quick-cooking Deep Fried Turkey Breast is the perfect main dish for serving a small crowd this holiday season! Made in a matter of minutes, it is definitely the fastest way to cook a tender and juicy turkey breast. The whole family is going to love it!
The Best Deep Fried Turkey Breast
If you have ever been intimidated to try deep frying a turkey for Thanksgiving Day, we are here to show you just how easy it is! After perfecting how to deep fry a turkey (whole turkey), we knew it was time to repeat this quick and easy cooking process with a bone-in turkey breast. Simply follow our step-by-step tutorial below to have a fully cooked turkey breast in about 30 minutes! Plus, the result is one of the most juicy pieces of meat we have ever tasted!
Looking for More Ways To Cook a Turkey Breast?
If you love making a turkey breast as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Juicy Roast Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Breast, or Slow Cooker Turkey Breast!
What You Will Need
- bone-in, fresh turkey breast – determine how much turkey breast per person you will need and then pick-up the right size turkey from your local grocery store.
- peanut oil – just enough of this neutral oil to fully cover the turkey breast while cooking.
- melted butter – simply melt a few tablespoons of butter to baste turkey after it is fully cooked.
- turkey fryer – please be sure to follow all safety protocols when using this cooking tool.
How To Deep Fry A Turkey Breast
The first steps to making this easy recipe are to FULLY thaw the turkey breast. Then pour the peanut oil in the large pot of the fryer. Bring the temperature of the oil up to 375-400 degrees F.
Pro Tip
To ensure you use the right amount of oil, simply pour gallons of water in the fryer and dip your turkey breast to determine how much cooking oil will be needed. Be sure to not let the oil level go over the side of the pot.
Place the turkey breast in the fryer basket and very slowly lower into the hot oil.
Let the turkey cook for about 3 1/2 minutes per pound of turkey or until golden brown and the internal temperature in the thickest part of the turkey meat reaches 163 degrees F (use a meat thermometer). Check this temp by carefully lifting the basket high enough to insert the thermometer.
Once the turkey is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the basket. Let turkey rest for 10-15 minutes and use a basting brush to baste the outside with melted butter.
Carving Tips
Carving a turkey breast is actually pretty simple, just follow our tutorial 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
Deep fried turkey breast slices can be enjoyed 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!
Recipe FAQs
- How long does it take to deep fry a turkey breast? It depends on the size of the turkey. You will need to calculate the total cook time for the weight of the turkey breast. A good rule of thumb is to calculate about 3.5 minutes per pound. We used an 8 pound turkey breast and it took about 28-30 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 163 degrees F.
- Is deep frying a turkey breast better than a whole turkey? If you are thinking about deep frying a whole bird, starting with a turkey breast might feel like a good starting point. Both sizes are easy to make and the end result is juicy meat on the inside and crispy skin on the outside.
Storage
Any leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
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Deep Fried Turkey Breast
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Deep Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our Deep Fried Turkey Breast is the quickest way to get the most juicy and tender turkey breast in a matter of minutes!
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 bring to room temperature. Ensure you remove any gravy packet.
- Brine (optional): Feel free to brine the turkey before frying, if you choose (optional).
- Peanut Oil: Once 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.
- 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.
- Slowly Lower Turkey: Place turkey breast in an aluminum basket/strainer (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 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 approx. 3 1/2 minutes per pound.
- Check Internal Temp: Once you have cooked the turkey for about 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 cook time based upon the number of pounds that your turkey is.
- Peanut Oil: Purchase from your local grocery store. You will most likely need 3 gallons (this will obviously depend on the size of the turkey and deep fryer).
- Fully Thaw: It is a MUST to fully thaw the turkey and allow it to come to room temperature before you deep fry it. Check out our tutorial on how to thaw a turkey!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 49.4 mg
- Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat:
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 18.3 g
- Cholesterol: 58.6 mg
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