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The 7 Best Turkey Fryers For The Crispiest, Juiciest Bird Ever

Make sure you check out our safety tips before you start cooking.

By Katie Bourque, Alexis Morillo and Felicia LaLomia
turkey fryerspinterest icon
Alyssa Gray

There are about a million ways to cook a turkey—roasted, brined, slow cooked, the list goes on. They're all delicious, but none of those methods serves up a turkey as crispy and juicy as deep frying your bird does. And the people who decide to fry the turkey on Thanksgiving normally make a big deal out of it: Their crowd gathers around the frying vessel, drink in hand, all waiting for a glimpse. Plus, the fryer always brag about how it's so much better than a regular oven-roasted bird.

The concept of plunging your Thanksgiving turkey into a massive deep fryer might seem unnerving, but when you follow proper safety protocols and have the right tools, it's totally doable. We've rounded up the most important tips, plus six turkey fryers that you'll love.

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

  • Properly set up your space. Only use propane turkey fryers outside (electric turkey fryers can be used indoors). Place your fryer on a level surface, away from areas where kids and pets traffic. Temperatures can rise to 400 degrees, so never leave your machine unattended.
  • Monitor the temperature. You are cooking meat, after all. Invest in an oil thermometer because most turkey fryers don't come with one. Hit the off button if the oil starts smoking. Also, never deep fry a frozen turkey—you gotta give your bird time to thaw.
  • Use protective gear. Remember that 400 degree oil we were telling you about? That can leave a serious burn. Don't get near a turkey fryer without protective goggles and grilling mitts. And if you can, wear an outfit that doesn't leave much skin exposed—at least until you're done cooking.
  • Turn off the burner when adding the turkey in the fryer. Once the turkey is entirely submerged in the oil, crank the heat.
  • Give it some space. Leave at least two feet between the tank and the burner of a propane fryer. Once your turkey is finished cooking, let the oil cool overnight before disposing of it.

Got all of that? Good. Now you can shop the best turkey fryers to make your Thanksgiving super special this year.

1
Best Propane Turkey Fryer

King Kooker Turkey Fryer Propane Outdoor Cooker

King Kooker Turkey Fryer Propane Outdoor Cooker
1
Best Propane Turkey Fryer

King Kooker Turkey Fryer Propane Outdoor Cooker

$125 at Amazon$105 at Home Depot$130 at Dick's Sporting Goods
Credit: King kooker

Outdoor propane cookers function similarly to your grill—so only use them outside. Attach a propane tank to your turkey fryer with the hose, and the propane burner will get the oil you add to the pot hot enough for your turkey to sizzle and fry.

2
Best Budget Turkey Fryer

Bayou Classic High Pressure Cooker

High Pressure Cooker
2
Best Budget Turkey Fryer

Bayou Classic High Pressure Cooker

Credit: Bayou

This option will save you a decent chunk of change if you already own a 30-quart pot. With a pot that's large enough to hold a turkey, you can use this standard-sized propane burner.

3
Best Oil-Free Turkey Fryer

Masterbuilt Butterball Oil-Free Electric Turkey Fryer

Masterbuilt Butterball Oil-Free Electric Turkey Fryer
3
Best Oil-Free Turkey Fryer

Masterbuilt Butterball Oil-Free Electric Turkey Fryer

Credit: vortoutlet

Oil-free turkey fryers are also connected to propane tanks (and must be used outside!), but as the name implies, they don't need oil to cook your bird. It works the same way as an air fryer; circulation of hot air is what crisps the skin and produces juicy meat. Though it will take a little longer for your turkey to cook, it's the healthiest method on this list.

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4
Best Electric Turkey Fryer

Butterball Masterbuilt XL Electric Fryer

Butterball Masterbuilt XL Electric Fryer
4
Best Electric Turkey Fryer

Butterball Masterbuilt XL Electric Fryer

Credit: Amazon

You don't need to spend hours outside for a homemade fried turkey. This electric turkey fryer is definitely the safest and easiest to use, plus it has a oil drain valve for easy clean-up.

If there are a whole lot of turkey lovers at your table, this large capacity fryer will hold a 25-pound turkey (!), making it perfect for a large gathering on Thanksgiving.

6
Top-Rated Turkey Fryer On Amazon

Bayou Classic 32-Quart Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer

On Sale
Bayou Classic 32-Quart Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer
6
Top-Rated Turkey Fryer On Amazon

Bayou Classic 32-Quart Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer

Now 40% Off
Credit: Bayou

The people have spoken, and this is the best turkey fryer you can get on Amazon. Reviewers rave that "this stainless steel cook pot is sturdy, well constructed, and easy to clean," and that it works just as well for frying foods like prime rib and lobster.

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7
Best Infrared Fryer

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less Turkey Fryer

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less Turkey Fryer
7
Best Infrared Fryer

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less Turkey Fryer

This option is great for a few reasons: For one, it doesn't use oil, so you can use a seasoned rub on the outside of your turkey unlike with a typical fryer. And it uses infrared cooking, so you can count on crispy, delicious, and evenly cooked meat every time.

Headshot of Katie Bourque
Katie Bourque

As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.

Headshot of Alexis Morillo
Associate Editor

Alexis Morillo is the Associate Editor at Delish.com where she covers breaking food news and viral food trends.

Headshot of Felicia LaLomia
Food & Culture Editor
Felicia LaLomia is the Food & Culture Editor for Delish. When she isn’t covering food news or writing features about delicious trends in the culinary world, she’s searching for her next perfect bite.
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