Turkey Fryer Versatility: Beyond Frying The Bird

Turkey fryers are a versatile piece of equipment that can be used for more than just frying turkeys. They can be used to boil, steam, or fry large quantities of food, making them ideal for parties or community events. Here are some ideas for what you can cook in a turkey fryer besides turkey:

- Seafood boils such as crawfish, crab, and shrimp

- Large batches of soup or stew

- Fried foods such as onion rings, french fries, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and beignets

- Hush puppies

- Tamales

- Fish fillets

Seafood boils

To make a seafood boil, fill the turkey fryer with water instead of oil and bring it to a boil. Add your choice of seafood, such as shrimp, crab legs, or lobster tails, along with corn, potatoes, and smoked sausage. You can also add spices and seasoning to enhance the flavour. Cook the ingredients in batches, starting with the potatoes, followed by the corn, sausage, and finally, the seafood.

For an extra touch of flavour, you can make a garlic butter sauce to brush over the seafood boil. To make the sauce, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add butter, seasonings, and lemon juice.

• Fill the turkey fryer with water to the maximum fill line.
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Add potatoes and cook for 10-12 minutes.
• Add corn and cook for an additional 7-9 minutes.
• Add sausage and cook for another 7-9 minutes.
• Add crab legs or other seafood and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Finally, add shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until everything is cooked through.
• Remove the seafood boil from the fryer and serve hot, brushing with garlic butter sauce if desired.

Vegetables and veggie fries

If you're looking for a healthier option, you can boil vegetables. However, if you're craving something crunchy, you can deep-fry them in your turkey fryer. This method transforms veggies into delicious, crunchy treats and adds texture to your meal.

Broccoli and carrots are great options, but you can also cut zucchini and sweet potatoes into strips and make vegetable fries. You can even coat them in a tempura batter or parmesan crumb for extra flavour.

If you're looking for a fun side dish, try making veggie fries. Cut your chosen vegetables into thin strips and fry them until golden and crispy. This is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables while indulging in a tasty treat.

For a unique twist, you can also experiment with different types of vegetables and create your own unique veggie fries combination. The possibilities are endless, and you can cater to your preferences or dietary needs.

Don't be afraid to get creative and explore the versatility of your turkey fryer. You can also try frying other types of vegetables, such as cauliflower, which can be cut into bite-sized pieces and rolled in parmesan breadcrumbs before frying.

Sweets and desserts

Turkey fryers are not just for turkeys! You can make a whole range of sweet treats and desserts with this handy piece of equipment.

If you're a fan of donuts, then a turkey fryer is a great alternative to a vat of hot oil on the stove. You can make a big batch of classic glazed donuts or experiment with different flavours and toppings. Just make sure the dough is firm and the oil is hot, and turn the donuts regularly for an even coating.

You can also make funnel cake fries. Pour the batter into a clean, empty squeezy ketchup bottle and squeeze strips directly into the hot oil. Turn each fry occasionally until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar and dip in melted chocolate sauce for an extra-special treat.

If you're looking for something a little more unusual, why not try deep-fried fruit? Apple, peach, or even whole banana slices can be dipped in a light fritter batter and fried until golden. Or, for a real challenge, try making Scotch eggs: wrap hard-boiled eggs in a layer of bulk pork sausage, then bread them and deep fry. Serve sliced and drizzled with a Dijon-mayo-heavy-honey sauce.

So, there you have it! Turkey fryers aren't just for Thanksgiving. They can be a surprisingly useful tool for creating sweet treats all year round.

Soups and stews

Turkey fryers are a great way to make large batches of soups and stews. Their large capacity and high heat make them perfect for cooking up a big pot of your favourite soup or stew for a group of people. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

The first thing to keep in mind when using a turkey fryer for soups and stews is that they tend to get a lot hotter than slow cookers or pots on the stove, and it can be harder to control the temperature. This means you'll need to keep a close eye on your soup or stew and stir it regularly to prevent burning or scorching. The large capacity of the fryer also means you can make a generous batch, which is perfect for feeding a crowd or having leftovers.

When making soup or stew in a turkey fryer, you can throw in all your usual ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, and beans, as well as water or stock. You can also add cream or milk for a creamier soup. Bring the ingredients to a boil and cook until all the flavours have infused. You can also use the fryer to make broth or stock by simmering water with leftover bones, vegetable scraps, and herbs.

If you're looking for some specific soup and stew ideas to try in your turkey fryer, here are a few suggestions:

• Eastern North Carolina Fish Stew: This stew is a favourite of America's Test Kitchen, and the large capacity of the turkey fryer makes it easy to prepare multiple batches at once.
• Seafood stew: The high heat of the turkey fryer is perfect for quickly cooking seafood. Try a combination of shrimp, crabs, potatoes, corn, and sausages. You can also add garlic butter and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavour.
• Chili: Turkey fryers are great for making large batches of chili, which is perfect for feeding a crowd at a party or gathering.
• Vegetable soup: Fry up a variety of vegetables in your turkey fryer, such as broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and sweet potatoes. You can also add in your favourite spices and herbs for extra flavour.

Meat and poultry

Turkey fryers are not just for turkeys! You can fry a whole lot of other meats and poultry in these versatile cookers.

Meats and Poultry

Chicken

Chicken wings are a great option for frying in a turkey fryer. You can use any kind of chicken wings, but for a nod to the fryer's Louisiana roots, try Cajun chicken wings. Coat the wings in a cajun spice mix and cornflour for a truly crispy wing. If you prefer your wings saucy, you can coat them in cajun sauce after frying. You can also make your own cajun spice mix to dial up or down the smokiness or spice level. Chicken tenders and chicken nuggets are also a great option for frying in a turkey fryer.

Fish

Fish is another great option for frying in a turkey fryer. You can fry fish fillets or make fish and chips. For a fun twist, you can also try deep-fried fish sticks or fish balls.

Beef

Beef can also be fried in a turkey fryer. Try frying prime rib or a medium-rare steak. You can also make beef-based dishes like corn dogs, country-fried steak, or Monte Cristo roll-ups (ham, turkey, Swiss, and American cheese rolled up and dipped in pancake batter).

Pork

Pork is another option for frying in a turkey fryer. You can make pork-based dishes like Scotch eggs (hard-boiled eggs wrapped in bulk pork sausage, then breaded and fried), sausage, or breaded mushroom caps.

Seafood

Seafood boils are a popular use for turkey fryers. You can boil crawfish, corn on the cob, mushrooms, garlic, potatoes, onions, and lemons. You can also steam seafood in a turkey fryer, such as crabs or shrimp.

So, there you have it! A whole range of meats and poultry to fry in your turkey fryer. Get creative and experiment with different options to find your favorites.

Frequently asked questions