Surprising Nutritional Facts About Deep-Fried Turkey

Last updated on December 17, 2018

Shortly after my book was published, I was excited to discover that it became the quotable source on nutrition stats for deep-fried turkey, as per turkeyfrying.net and The Peanut Institute. Here’s the copy from their press release:”Some may associate deep-fried foods with being highly unhealthy, but in the new book “Just Because You’re an American Doesn’t Mean You Have To Eat Like One!” author Michele Jacobson takes a closer look at this deep-frying technique.  A deep-fried turkey fried in peanut oil is similar nutritionally when compared to a traditional roasted turkey in fat and calorie count. This is because the moisture in the turkey repels the oil rather than absorbing it during the deep-frying process. Due to its high temperature, the oil cannot go against the direction of the water vapor as it pushes the bubbles toward the surface so the hot oil steams the bird from the inside out.

Per serving, the two types of turkey are about the same. A 4-ounce serving of roasted turkey has 241 calories and 12 grams of fat while a 4-ounce serving of turkey deep-fried in peanut oil comes in at 253 calories and under 14 grams of fat, a very subtle difference.

Fried turkey is traditionally prepared in 100 percent peanut oil because it naturally maintains high temperatures throughout the cooking process resulting in a bird that is crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and has a slight nutty taste.

Peanut oil is the preferred vehicle for frying because it is naturally trans fat-free, cholesterol free, and low in saturated fats.  A major study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 100 percent peanut oil provides the same heart healthy benefits as olive oil. Peanut oil is high in unsaturated fats, especially monounsaturated fat, and is a natural source of heart-healthy vitamin E and phytosterols.”

(As per: Press Releases “TurkeyFrying.net Spotlights Hot New Thanksgiving Trend ”
Alexandria, VA, November 21, 2011 www.turkeyfrying.net. )