Deep-Fried Turkey

Ingredients

• 12 pounds turkey preferably fresh; if previously frozen, it must be completely thawed
• sea salt
• ground black pepper
• 1 stick unsalted butter softened, optional
• 2 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper optional
• 2 1/2 gallons peanut oil the amount of oil depends on the size of your fryer; better to err on the side of buying too much since you c…
• 1 sprig fresh herbs sage, thyme, or bay for garnish, optional
• dried fig for garnish, optional