Fried Turkey & Fried Pickles

[Dirty Nails]

Right after getting a grill and smoker for Christmas, I bought a 12 pound turkey and I intended to smoke it. However, after reading about the brining process and such, yes, I got intimidated and decided to fry the turkey instead (though I will attempt to practice smoke a chicken soon). Anyway, here's some photos of the seasoned turkey and the fried turkey. I've fried approximately 30 turkeys over the years and I've never been disappointed. Forum member SmokinVOLfan's Big Batch O'Pickles thread from a couple weeks ago sort of inspired me to fry some pickles. While the turkey was frying at 325 degrees, I rolled a jumbo jar of dill pickles chips through a mixture of flour and Tony Chachere's original seasoning. Once the turkey was done, I dropped the pickles in until they floated and they were great. Anyone else out there agree that turkey is underrated? It ticks me off that turkeys are so hard to find February through September. I could eat turkey just as much as we eat beef, pork, and fish. Thanks for looking!

 

[HalfSmoked]

Nice cook. Buy turkeys during the holidays and freeze. Our Wally world was clearing out their backup freezer space and I bought some for $.39 lb. I have smoked a lot of turkeys and as long as you reach 140 IT in 4 hrs. your good. If you brine in Pops brine the safe part in 4 hrs. really doesn't apply because you are using cure #1. You should brine turkeys over 12lb.

Warren

 

[HalfSmoked]

Thanks for the like Winterrider it is greatly appreciated.

Warren

 

[xray]

Looks good DN! I absolutely love fried pickles.

If there was one thing that would make me purchase a deep fryer...it would be pickles.

like!

 

[Sowsage]

Looks good! I'm a big fan of fried pickles!

 

[SmokinAl]

The turkey looks fantastic. I live in a small town & all the stores carry turkeys year round. As a matter Of fact I have a Butterball white meat turkey breast in the SV right now. It’s one of those boneless tied globs of meat. But they sure slice up nice for sammies! 6 hours @ 131 degrees, with some butter lemon & Montreal chicken seasoning. Oh, I almost forgot, I love fried pickles!!!!!
Al

 

[Dirty Nails]

The turkey looks fantastic. I live in a small town & all the stores carry turkeys year round. As a matter Of fact I have a Butterball white meat turkey breast in the SV right now. It’s one of those boneless tied globs of meat. But they sure slice up nice for sammies! 6 hours @ 131 degrees, with some butter lemon & Montreal chicken seasoning. Oh, I almost forgot, I love fried pickles!!!!!
Al

Thanks Al! As much as I love smoked briskets, baby ribs, roasted chickens, spaghetti and meatballs, the truth is turkey is my first love. I should have taken a photo of the leftover carcass! I have just enough left for a soup tomorrow night. We have four kids, ages 17, 15, 12 & 10 - the turkey and pickles were devoured. I mean, a guy could have lost a finger reaching for the fried pickles! Thanks for the reply.

 

[Dirty Nails]

Looks good! I'm a big fan of fried pickles!

Thanks Travis. Question: Are Cornish game hens tasty? I saw your post of the hens and ribs, I've never had one. Taste similar to chicken?

 

[Sowsage]

Thanks Travis. Question: Are Cornish game hens tasty? I saw your post of the hens and ribs, I've never had one. Taste similar to chicken?

They are great. Cornish hens are basicly a baby chicken. Most of your commercial chickens are of the cornish-cross breed. They breed them for breast size and fast growth. I'm guessing the Cornish hens I baught were no older than 3 weeks. They do have very thin delicate skin. Makes for easy crispy skin when smoking. The ones I had were 1lb birds. Tyson sells them in a two pack but I think they are a little bigger than that.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Damn man the turkey and pickles look awesome! BIG LIKE! My wife loves fried pickles I need to try this out soon.

I fry and smoke turkeys around the holidays and smoke them year round. I like both but the last two years the smoked birds have taken the cake. Don't let the brining discourage you from trying it. If you need any help just let me know I would be glad to give you any advice I can. Its not as difficult and time consuming as it may come across.

 

[sawhorseray]

That's a fine looking bird there all deep-fried up, Like! I've never had a fried pickle but I'd sure like to try one of yours. RAY

 

[HalfSmoked]

Thanks for the like Dirty Nails it is greatly appreciated.

Warren

 

[Dirty Nails]

Damn man the turkey and pickles look awesome! BIG LIKE! My wife loves fried pickles I need to try this out soon.

I fry and smoke turkeys around the holidays and smoke them year round. I like both but the last two years the smoked birds have taken the cake. Don't let the brining discourage you from trying it. If you need any help just let me know I would be glad to give you any advice I can. Its not as difficult and time consuming as it may come across.

SmokinVOLfan, thanks for the offer. In about 2 or 3 weeks I'll contact you again because I'll attempt a smoked chicken. Thanks a lot. Dirty Nails

 

[Dirty Nails]

That's a fine looking bird there all deep-fried up, Like! I've never had a fried pickle but I'd sure like to try one of yours. RAY

Thanks! Oh man - fried pickles are spectacular! I'm not sure where you're located, but fried pickles are on a lot of menus across the southeast.

 

[gary s]

Nice Job, Looks great We love Turkey and Fried Pickles

Gary