Turkey Fryers: Seafood Boil, A Delicious Possibility?

Turkey fryers can be used for more than just frying turkeys. They can be used for seafood boils, such as shrimp, crab, and crawfish boils. A turkey fryer is essentially a large stock pot, making it ideal for boiling heaps of food. To use a turkey fryer for a seafood boil, fill the pot with water instead of oil and turn the fryer up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to get it to boil. You can also use a steamer basket to boil seafood and steam tamales.

Using a turkey fryer for a seafood boil

To use a turkey fryer for a seafood boil, fill the pot with water up to the max fill line. You can add seasoning, spices, and garlic to the water before boiling it. Seafood boils are very customisable, but popular additions include potatoes, corn, sausage, crab legs, and shrimp. You can also add lobsters, onions, lemons, and even hot dogs and chicken for those who don't eat seafood.

When boiling your ingredients, it's important to time each addition carefully. Start by boiling your potatoes, then add your corn after a few minutes. Add your sausage, crab legs, and any other seafood after that. Finally, add your shrimp and cook for a few more minutes.

Once everything is cooked, remove the seafood and spread it out on a large foil or serving platter. You can also pour the contents onto a table covered with freezer paper or newspaper. Don't forget to serve with plenty of butter, salt, mustard, and cocktail sauce!

So, if you're looking to feed a crowd with a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal, consider using your turkey fryer for a seafood boil. It's a fun and unique way to enjoy your favourite seafood dishes.

Filling the fryer with water, not oil

Yes, you can use a turkey fryer for a seafood boil. A turkey fryer is a large pot that sits on a propane burner, and it is perfect for boiling, steaming, or frying large quantities of food.

Now, when it comes to filling the fryer with water, there are a few important steps to follow. First, you'll want to fill the fryer with cold water up to the maximum fill line indicated inside the pot. Do not exceed this line, as it could be dangerous and cause the water to spill over when boiling. Once you've filled the fryer to the appropriate level, you can turn on the propane burner and heat the water. Set the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure a rapid boil.

While the water is heating up, you can prepare your ingredients. Chop up your potatoes, garlic, corn, and any other vegetables you wish to include. You can also prepare your seafood by peeling and deveining shrimp, or cutting crab legs into clusters. It's important to have everything ready before you start boiling as the cooking process moves quickly.

Once the water has reached a roaring boil, you can begin adding your ingredients. Start with ingredients that take longer to cook, such as potatoes and other root vegetables. After a few minutes, you can add the corn and any other quick-cooking vegetables. Then, add your seafood. Delicate items like shrimp should be added towards the end, so they don't overcook.

Remember to always use caution when working with hot water and a propane burner. Keep children and pets away from the fryer, and use long-handled utensils to add and remove food from the pot. By following these steps and paying attention to food timing, you'll be well on your way to a delicious seafood boil prepared in your turkey fryer.

The best types of seafood to use

Seafood boils are a great way to feed a crowd with very little prep work. You can use any type of seafood you like, but some popular options include crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels, clams, crawfish, and fish fillets. Here are some tips on the best types of seafood to use for your seafood boil:

• Crab: Crab legs or clusters are a popular choice for seafood boils. You can use snow crab, king crab, or Dungeness crab legs. Make sure the crab is pre-cooked, as it only needs to be boiled for 5-7 minutes.
• Shrimp: Go for jumbo or colossal shrimp to make your seafood boil extra special. Shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and curls a bit, which only takes about 3-5 minutes.
• Lobster: Lobster tails add a touch of luxury to your seafood boil. Look for Maine Lobsters or North Atlantic Lobsters, as they have the best flavor. Boil them for about 5-6 minutes or until the shells turn bright red.
• Mussels and Clams: These shellfish add variety to your seafood boil. Boil them for about 5 minutes or until their shells open up. Just be sure to discard any clams that don't open.
• Crawfish: If you're feeling adventurous, add some crawfish to your boil. They only take about 4-5 minutes to cook, depending on their size.
• Fish Fillets: A seafood boil is also a great way to cook fish fillets, especially if you're feeding a large crowd. Fry up some fish fillets in your turkey fryer for a delicious treat.

Remember, the key to a successful seafood boil is not to overcook your seafood. Different types of seafood have different cooking times, so add the longest-cooking items to the pot first and then add the others later. Also, don't be afraid to customize your seafood boil by adding your favorite types of seafood and getting creative with spices and seasonings!

How long to boil each ingredient

Yes, you can use a turkey fryer for a seafood boil. A turkey fryer is simply a propane burner with a large pot, which is perfect for boiling seafood.

Potatoes:

Boil for 15-20 minutes until almost tender. Small potatoes will take less time, around 8-10 minutes.

Corn:

Add the corn to the pot after the potatoes have been boiling for 15-20 minutes, and cook for a further 5 minutes. If using frozen corn, add it earlier, after the potatoes have been boiling for around 10 minutes.

Lobster:

Lobster tails should be added to the pot and cooked for 5 minutes. Whole lobsters will take 8-12 minutes.

Crab:

For pre-cooked crab, boil for 5-6 minutes. Raw crab will take 20 minutes.

Shrimp:

Add shrimp to the pot last, as they only need to be cooked for 2-3 minutes. If using frozen shrimp, let them defrost in the hot water first, then cook for 5 minutes.

Additional Tips:

• Boil the ingredients in batches to ensure everything is cooked properly.
• Soak crawfish for 20-25 minutes. The longer it soaks, the spicier it will be.
• Remove corn and potatoes early if you don't want them to absorb too much spice.
• If you are boiling eggs, add them to the pot with the corn and potatoes, and boil for 8-10 minutes.

How to serve a seafood boil

A seafood boil is a great way to serve a large crowd with minimal prep work and dirty dishes. It's also a very flexible dish, as you can add whatever seafood and fixings you like. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to serve a seafood boil:

Step 1: Prepare the Table

Cover your table with freezer paper, shiny side up, or line it with newspaper. This will make clean-up easier and give your meal a fun, casual feel. If you're serving bread, you can place a basket of crusty baguette slices down the centre of the table.

Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, prepare all your ingredients and have them ready in separate bowls. You will be adding them to the pot at different times, so it's good to have everything within easy reach. Here are some common ingredients for a seafood boil, though you can add or remove items according to your taste:

• Baby red or small new potatoes, quartered
• Onions, quartered
• Garlic cloves, whole or minced
• Lemons, quartered or halved
• Corn on the cob, cut into 2-inch pieces or halved
• Smoked or summer sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces
• Crab legs or clusters
• Shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on or in the shell

Step 3: Boil the Ingredients

Fill your turkey fryer or large pot with water and bring it to a boil. You can also add spices and seasonings to the water, such as Old Bay Seasoning, garlic, salt, or pre-made spice bags. Add your ingredients in stages, giving each one time to cook before adding the next. Here is a suggested order and cooking time for each ingredient:

• Potatoes: 7-10 minutes
• Corn: 5 minutes
• Sausage: 7-10 minutes
• Onions and lemons: 3-5 minutes
• Crab: 10 minutes
• Shrimp: 5 minutes, or until they turn pink

Step 4: Serve

Once all your ingredients are cooked, it's time to serve. Turn off the heat and carefully remove the strainer basket from the pot, allowing it to drain. Pour the contents onto your prepared table. Provide individual cups of lemon butter, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, spicy mustard, and/or garlic butter for guests to add to their meal. Don't forget to put out crab crackers and kitchen scissors to help with the crab legs!

Frequently asked questions