Why stop at just deep-frying your turkey? If, say, you acquired a massive deep fryer recently and you want to go HAM on turkey day, consider going all out and plunging ALL THE THINGS into a vat of hot oil. If you are planning on whipping up more traditional fare but expect to stock up on a fridge full of leftovers, you should totally bookmark this post for the day after Thanksgiving. You can thank us later.
1. Deep Fried Turkey with Southern Rub
Everyone knows that there is nothing quite like a moist, tender deep-fried turkey with potato-chip-crispy skin. The key to the perfect deep fried turkey? A nice flavorful southern-inspired rub that really brings that crunchy turkey to another level.
2. Beer-Battered Deep Fried Turkey
If you don't intend to cook a whole bird, or you're just gearing up to your leftovers, grab some thick slices of cooked turkey (chicken will work just fine too, for some year-round appeal), dunk it in some nice beer batter and toss it in the deep fryer. Honestly, this might actually be better than the freshly roasted stuff.
3. Deep Fried Thanksgiving Balls
Got leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing? What better way to down them than deep fried and dipped in sweet, tart cranberry sauce?
4. Tempura Green Beans with Sriracha Aioli
Green bean casserole is cool and all (and we bet your leftovers will make awesome fritters), but have you ever tried battering your long beans in tempura and deep frying them for the perfect crunchy snack? We bet these would make the perfect appetizers as well.
5. Deep Fried Cranberry Sauce Fritters
Cranberry sauce is perfect to dunk your fried stuff into, but don't forget that you can deep fry the sauce too! This is absolutely great if you want to put a special spin on that stuff that comes out of a can.
6. Fried Mashed Potato and Gravy Bombs
The trick to getting that perfectly lush pool of gravy in the middle? Freezing cubes of it in an ice tray. You're welcome.
7. Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts with Honey Sriracha Glaze
It can be tricky to deep fry Brussels sprouts -- you have to make sure the greens are completely dry and the oil is the right temperature -- but oh boy does it pay off! These perfectly crunchy treats are sure addicting, but it's the sweet-spicy dressing you drizzle on top that really will keep you from eating them any other way.
8. Deep Fried Stuffing
Make sure to cook up extra stuffing on Thanksgiving! Sure, it's delicious in the classic Thanksgiving hangover sandwich, but have you ever tried deep frying it? It might change your life.
9. Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie
Because why not? Pro-tip: you can and SHOULD do this with pecan pie, too.