Buffalo Ranch Deep-Fried Turkey
People
SERVES 8
Cook Time
1-2 HOURS
Ingredients
- 1 (10 to 12 ounce) bottle hot sauce
- 1 whole turkey (fresh or completely thawed) (10 - 14 pounds)
- 12 ounce water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
- 2 2 gallons cooking oil (preferably peanut oil)
- 9 teaspoons dry ranch seasoning (or 3 - 1 ounce packets)
- buffalo sauce (your preferred brand)
- cajun seasoning (your preferred brand)
- ranch dressing
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 stick butter (¼ cup)
Instructions
- Thaw turkey, if frozen. (To properly thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator, allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 lbs.)
- Remove giblets and neck from turkey. If present, remove and discard plastic leg holder and pop-up timer.
- Rinse turkey thoroughly with warm water or completely cover with warm water and soak for no more than 30 minutes to ensure cavity is free of ice.
- Pat turkey completely dry on outside and inside of cavity with paper towels.
- Insert a meat thermometer in the meaty part of the breast; turkey is done when it reads 165°F.
- Using a marinade injection syringe, inject ½ cup (4 oz) marinade in each breast.
- Inject ¼ cup (2 oz) marinade into each leg and thigh.
- Optional: Sprinkle turkey generously with dry Ranch seasoning, completely coating the outside of the turkey and inside of the cavity.
- Fill deep fryer with 2 gallons of oil and heat to 375°F.
- Place turkey, breast side up, in fryer basket. Slowly lower the basket into hot oil, being careful not to splatter hot oil.
- Fry turkey for 3-4 minutes per pound. Lift the basket from the hot oil slowly.
- If the turkey is not done, lower it carefully back into the oil for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once the turkey reaches the desired temperature (minimum 165°F), remove from oil.
- Allow the turkey to rest and drain in the fryer basket for 10 minutes before removing for carving.
- Serve turkey topped with buffalo sauce or with sauce alongside for dipping.
- Whisk together water and dry Ranch seasoning.
- For the buffalo sauce:
Combine hot sauce, butter, garlic powder and lime juice in a medium saucepan. Heat over low heat. - Buffalo Ranch Dipping Sauce:
Mix one part Ranch dressing with two parts buffalo sauce. Season with dry Cajun seasoning to taste. Makes a great dipping sauce!