This post featuring the best cajun fried turkey recipe is sponsored by Char-Broil. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One of my favorite things about the holidays is all of the food, and being from south Louisiana, that’s all of our delicious cajun dishes! I look forward to a juicy, crispy cajun fried turkey every Thanksgiving and Christmas! If you’re looking for the best cajun fried turkey recipe and an easy tutorial for how to use an oil-less fryer, then look no further!
Traditional baked turkey is good, but a cajun fried turkey takes the classic meal to a whole different level! If you’ve never had a fried turkey before, you’re truly missing out. But no worries, I’ve got you covered my friend! 
I’m going to show y’all exactly how to make a fried turkey cajun style with an oil-less fryer, so keep reading!
My favorite part about this fried turkey recipe is that the entire process is done in an oil-less turkey fryer, making it a delicious crispy “fried” option that is actually better for you since you’re not cooking in a ton of grease!
I’ve had many fried turkeys cooked both ways: in a tradition oil fryer and with my beloved Big Easy infrared oil-less fryer by Char-Broil, and honestly turkey cooked in the infrared oil-less fryer is by far the juiciest and best of them all!
Although oil-less frying is healthier for you, that’s not the only plus side to this!
The biggest feeling of accomplishment from hosting a holiday is being able to say you did so with very little mess to clean after all is said and done, am I right or am I right!?
Another reason why my family loves frying turkeys for the holidays is because the tried and true method doesn’t require a mess in the kitchen!
The Big Easy® Oil-Less Turkey Fryer not only makes the best crispy fried turkeys, it only requires very little cleanup in the end! Not to mention, it also saves you a ton of time and space in the kitchen!
Y’all… This is the secret to hosting the perfect Thanksgiving dinner!
Less time cleaning means you as the host have more time to focus on what matters the most! 
I mean, how perfect does that turkey look!?
It comes out so crispy, you’d never know oil isn’t involved in cooking it!
If you’ll be hosting the holidays this year and want to wow your guests, consider putting a Louisiana spin on your turkey and giving this cajun fried turkey recipe a try!
I promise this will be the best fried turkey you’ve ever had and you’ll appreciate the lack of mess in the kitchen! 
THE BEST CAJUN FRIED TURKEY RECIPE
Cajun Fried Turkey Recipe Ingredients
– Whole Turkey, defrosted
– Cajun Seasoning Blend (my go-to is Tony Chachere’s, but any cajun spice blend will do!)
– Cajun Injectable Marinade (again I prefer to use the Tony Chachere’s cajun butter marinade, but any cajun variety will do!)
– Peanut Oil (this is optional, and only for lightly coating the outside of the turkey.)
How to Make a Cajun Fried Turkey in an Oil-Less Fryer
1. If buying frozen, allow the turkey to fully defrost. Depending on the size of the bird, this can take several days.
2. Once defrosted and you are ready to cook, clean the turkey and remove any unwanted parts from the inside, such as the neck, gizzard, etc.
3. Pat the turkey dry, then lightly coat the outside of the turkey in peanut oil.
4. Liberally inject the cajun marinade all throughout the turkey. This is where you get all the flavor, so don’t be shy with this part!
5. Season the outside of the turkey with your favorite cajun spice blend. If you’re using an authentic Louisiana cajun spice blend, there’s no need to add anything else!
*Important to note: cajun spice blends have enough sodium, so there’s absolutely no need to brine the turkey or add any additional salt! The Big Easy Fryer will make the turkey nice and tender and juicy!
6. Place the turkey leg-side down into the frying basket and adjust cooking time based on the size of your turkey (approx. 2 hours). Cook until internal temperature reaches at least 165.
7. Check turkey with internal meat thermometer to ensure doneness prior to serving, then carve and enjoy!
See, it told y’all it was simple!
If you don’t have an oil-less fryer, you can get The Big Easy for 15% off using the code SOUTHERN at checkout on Char-Broil’s site! You’ll also get a free cover to go with it!
The Best Cajun Fried Turkey Recipe
The best cajun fried turkey recipe made without oil in an infrared oil-less fryer and cooked to crispy perfection that is healthier for you.
Ingredients
- Whole Turkey, defrosted
- Cajun Seasoning Blend (Slap Ya Momma, Tony Chachere's, etc.)
- Cajun Injectable Marinade (Tony Chachere's Cajun Butter Marinade)
- Peanut Oil (for basting)
Instructions
- If buying frozen, allow the turkey to fully defrost. Depending on the size of the bird, this can take several days.
- Once defrosted and you are ready to cook, clean the turkey and remove any unwanted parts from the inside, such as the neck, gizzard, etc.
- Pat the turkey dry, then lightly coat the outside of the turkey in peanut oil.
- Liberally inject the cajun marinade all throughout the turkey. This is where you get all the flavor, so don’t be shy with this part!
- Season the outside of the turkey with your favorite cajun spice blend. If you’re using an authentic Louisiana cajun spice blend, there’s no need to add anything else!
- Place the turkey leg-side down into the frying basket and adjust cooking time based on the size of your turkey (approx. 2 hours). Cook until internal temperature reaches at least 165.
- Check turkey with internal meat thermometer to ensure doneness prior to serving, then carve and enjoy!
Notes
*Cajun spice blends have enough sodium, so there’s absolutely no need to brine the turkey or add any additional salt! The Big Easy Fryer will make the turkey nice and tender and juicy!
Lydia says
Gonna give this a try this year. Minus the peanut oil my sons allergic.
Amy Gougler says
This looks absolutely delicious! We need to give it a try!
Trish says
I love Cajun fried turkey! Our friend is from Louisiana and introduced us to this deliciousness.
Rita LeBlanc says
Can I coat it with mustard and Tony’s?