Can I Fry a 20lb turkey in Olive Oil?

9 responses so far ↓

• 1 amanda g // Nov 9, 2008

  if you have a big enough fryer. Most fryers will only hold up to a 16 lb turkey.

• 2 Sugar Pie // Nov 9, 2008

  I wouldn’t! Peanut is best for extended frying times as it’s smoke point is very high, over 700ºF. Olive oils is pretty low, and will probably begin to break down before the turkey is completely cooked. Never mind the expense of OO! Just stick w/ peanut, and make sure your pot is big enough to hold a 20 lb. turkey PLUS enough oil to completely surround it.

• 3 bcgirl // Nov 9, 2008

  just put it in the oven….that sounds dangerous

• 4 mommy2 McCain For President // Nov 9, 2008

  You really shouldn’t use Olive Oil for Deep Frying,Olive Oil isn’t meant to get to that heat Level.
  If your going to deep fry your turkey the best Oil for it is a peanut Oil. Peanut Oil is meant to get extremely hot for deep frying.

  You can purchase the oil at walmart for a decent price.

• 5 lawjaq // Nov 9, 2008

  Why would you spend all that money on olive oil? Olive oil has a smoke temp of just 375 degrees. Just use a vegetable oil. such as Safflower 509 degrees, Sunflower 474 degrees ,Soybean 465 degrees, Canola 460 degrees or corn oil 456 degrees. It will be a lot cheaper and you don't have to worry about burning the oil as much. Once you smoke an oil it is pretty well done, as it will continue to degrade quickly.
  Be careful using peanut oil as it has a smoke temperature of just 447 degrees.

• 6 ~Susakins Makoozakins~ // Nov 9, 2008

  You CAN but can you AFFORD to with all the oil you need? I know I can’t, LOL!!!

  Go and buy some peanut oil. A little cheaper but wiser!!

• 7 mooshie // Nov 9, 2008

  I’ve only heard of using peanut oil, so I’d use that to be safe.~~

• 8 Stephen H // Nov 9, 2008

  you could but Olive oil would not be your best choice of oil, dependent upon the grade of olive oil there is a level of particulate suspended in the oil which imparts color & flavor, this also affects the heating point of the oil. Extra virgin olive oil has a much lower heating & smoking point than a pomace base oil because the particulate in the oil is greater lowering the oil purity and therefore increasing the likelihood of burning, smoking & spoilage. I suggest using peanut oil although watch out for people with nut allergies, rice oil is good and also corn or canola. i would also suggest using a marinade injector to impart flavor into the turkey. when cooking ensure the turkey is as dry as possible before lowering into the oil, this will minimize any boil up as the water evaporates. ensure also that you use an oil thermometer and finally make sure the pot is large enough so that when you lower the turkey in there is room for the oil and it will not boil over the top of the pan & possibly start a fire. Enjoy

• 9 Brian X // Nov 9, 2008

  I wouldn’t recommend it — you might be able to get away with “pure” olive oil (i.e. the low-grade utility stuff), but it would still be rather expensive with a lowish smoke point. Most of the hardcore turkey fryers use peanut oil, and I’m sure canola oil would be fine as well.