Wishing everyone a crispy Thanksgiving, Coast Packing Company, the leading supplier of animal fat shortenings in the Western U.S., has again teamed with El Aviso Magazine contributing writer Kathy Jurado on two recipes certain to spice up anyone’s holiday.
“There’s more than one way to cook a turkey, as Kathy’s deep fried turkey recipe demonstrates deliciously,” said Eric R. Gustafson, CEO of the 95-year-old company and an advocate of healthy animal fats in the American diet. “Lard makes this recipe special, as it does for her recipe for deep fried jalapenos. Both underscore our belief that natural, minimally processed food is the way to go. It’s always wise to avoid industrially-produced partially hydrogenated fats in favor of animal fat shortenings, which have the benefit of being consistently delicious and promoting health.”
Deep Fried Turkey
Ingredients:
1 turkey (about 12 pounds)
1 sweet onion medium (sliced)
1-2 lbs. lard
2 garlic cloves (chopped)
2 celery stalks (trimmed)
1 apple (sliced)
Spice rub mixture of:
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
Directions:
- 1 to 2 pounds of lard (you may need more or less depending on the size of the turkey and the depth of your frying pan)
- 1 extra large deep pan (approximately 12 quarts)
- Prepare lard at medium heat, about 350 degrees (do not allow the lard to exceed more then 3/4 of the frying pan; the lard will rise when you put the turkey in)
- Here’s a tip for measuring the right amount of lard: fill your pan with water to 3/4.
- Drop the fresh turkey into the water, to measure how high it would rise in the deep-frying pan. Remove the turkey and adjust the melted lard to that level, making sure it does not exceed the top of the pan or splatter over.
- Preparing the turkey:
- Make sure there are no feathers, metal or plastics on the bird.
- Clean out the giblets from inside the bird and set aside for a great gravy, or to add to your stuffing.
- Stuff the celery, onions, garlic and apple inside the bird. Use large wooden picks to close the bird.
- Rub your spice mixture all over the outside of the turkey.
- Frying the turkey:
- The melted lard and pan will be very hot. Be cautious and use a large metal basket strainer to lower the prepared bird into the heated lard, neck down.
- After carefully placing the bird into the heated pan, cover with a ventilated top and let fry for 1/2 hour; check the position of the bird and the level of the lard. Make sure to keep the lard a few inches below the top of the pan. Make sure the entire bird is submerged.
- Maintain the temperature of the lard at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook the turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound. Lard works best because it can maintain its flavor in the highest heats and won’t smoke you out of your house and kitchen.
- Allow for a cooking time of roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Carefully remove basket with the turkey from the hot lard; drain the turkey.
- Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the thigh. The thermostat should read 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). If it doesn’t, re-submerge the bird for another half hour.
- When the turkey reaches the desired temperature, finish draining it on the prepared platter.
- And it makes a great sandwich the next day, too.
