DRY-BRINED FRIED TURKEY

Dry-Brined Fried Turkey image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time P1DT1h20m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

One 12-to-14-pound turkey
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed
3 to 4 gallons peanut oil

Steps:

Before dry brining, it is best to measure the frying vessel-to-turkey-ratio to keep the skin nice and dry. Place the turkey in the fryer with the legs pointed down and fill with water until the turkey is barely submerged. Mark where water line is at (on the outside of the vessel). Take out the turkey and proceed with the below.
Put the salt, granulated garlic, black pepper and herbs in a food processor. Pulse until fine and uniform. Rub the inside and outside of the turkey with the spice mixture. Using your fingers, carefully separate the breast skin from the meat and rub the spice mix directly on the breast meat. Place on a wire-racked baking sheet and let it sit uncovered in the fridge for 24 hours.
Heat the oil in a turkey fryer to 350 degrees F.
Carefully submerge the turkey into the oil, legs down. Fry until the thickest part of the breast registers 145 degrees F-- this could take 20 to 25 minutes (the bird is so hot it will carry over and perfectly hit the recommended temp). Watch the temperature of the oil and attempt to keep it at 350 the entire time.
Take the turkey out of the oil and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.