Gordon Ramsay known as deep-fried turkey ‘disgusting,’ however different cooks disagree

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Deep-frying the turkey is a Thanksgiving custom for a lot of American households, however tv's most famous chef as soon as declared it was "disgusting."

"MasterChef" host Gordon Ramsay shared his controversial opinion throughout a 2017 look on "The Late Present with Stephen Colbert."

Throughout the trade, Colbert stated his Southern roots favored deep-frying the hen — and Ramsay balked.

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"I went round to somebody's home, a pal of mine in L.A., for a Thanksgiving," recalled Ramsay. "And he began going into the storage for the preparation of the lunch. I say, 'The place are we going?' And there is this large vat, and he wheeled this large hen down and deep-fat fried this factor, and it was f---ing disgusting."

"Oh, it is so good," Colbert interjected.

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/343/192/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/686/384/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/672/378/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1344/756/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/931/523/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1862/1046/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/720/405/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1440/810/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> Gordon Ramsay as soon as described a pal's deep-fried turkey as "disgusting," saying the vacation hen ought to by no means hit sizzling oil. (Gilbert Flores/Selection by way of Getty Photographs; iStock)

"Dry turkey," Ramsay responded. "There is a cause why we solely eat that hen annually — herb butter, superbly executed, bacon on top, however not deep-fried. From a chef's standpoint, come on."

Fox Information Digital reached out to Ramsay for extra perception on the cooking technique.

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Are different cooks in settlement with the contentious take?

Becky Geisel, proprietor of Bex Kitchen & Catering, instructed Fox Information Digital she's "by no means been a fan of deep-frying a turkey."

"You solely have one try at getting it proper."

That stated, the New Jersey-based chef admitted the outcomes might be scrumptious.

"There is no denying that frying produces unimaginable taste, particularly when utilizing peanut oil, and that attractive golden, crispy pores and skin is tough to beat," Geisel stated.

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"The cooking time can also be a lot quicker than roasting, which might be interesting while you're feeding a crowd."

However the many downsides for Geisel embrace gallons of oil — not simply procuring it, however disposing of it as properly.

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/343/192/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/686/384/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/672/378/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1344/756/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/931/523/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1862/1046/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/720/405/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1440/810/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> A chef stated deep-frying a turkey is quicker than standard cooking strategies, but it surely's "additionally messy and doubtlessly harmful." (iStock)

"The method can also be messy and doubtlessly harmful," she warned. "The turkey have to be utterly dry earlier than it goes into the fryer, or the moisture may cause the new oil to splatter or overflow. And with so many individuals gathered round on Thanksgiving, that threat is not value it to me. You solely have one try at getting it proper."

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As an alternative, Geisel instructed dry brining the turkey and roasting it, saying she brines her personal birds for as much as 36 hours.

By permitting the salt and aromatics to work their approach into the meat, Geisel stated, the strategy "locks in moisture, enhances the pure taste and creates tender, juicy meat with superbly crisp pores and skin with no fryer required."

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/343/192/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/686/384/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/672/378/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1344/756/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/931/523/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1862/1046/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/720/405/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1440/810/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> The Thanksgiving turkey is finest roasted with herb butter and bacon, not deep-fried in oil, in keeping with Ramsay. (iStock)

"It’s much less wasteful, safer and permits the main target to remain the place it needs to be: sharing good meals and good firm," she added.

Danielle Vauthy, knowledgeable chef for grocery supply service Hungryroot, instructed Fox Information Digital the primary enchantment of deep-fried turkey is its texture and moistness.

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"Deep‑frying a turkey delivers exceptionally moist meat as a result of the new oil seals within the juices nearly immediately," the Washington-based knowledgeable stated.

"The pores and skin comes out extremely‑crispy, providing a satisfying crunch that many oven‑roasted turkeys lack. It additionally cooks surprisingly rapidly, making it an interesting choice when time is tight."

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/343/192/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/686/384/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/672/378/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1344/756/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/931/523/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1862/1046/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/720/405/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/11/1440/810/gordan-ramsay-deep-frying-turkey-pros-cons-risks-thanksgiving-chefs-weigh-in-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> A chef instructed Fox Information Digital that fried turkey might be tasty, however the cooking course of is finest left to the professionals. (iStock)

However Vauthy echoed Geisel's considerations, including deep-frying turkey has the potential to trigger critical burns and home fires.

"There's additionally a variety of room for error, from incorrect oil temperature to improper turkey prep, so it calls for precision and a spotlight," the chef stated.

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"You may want specialty tools and a protected out of doors setup, which provides complexity to the method."

Vauthy added, "Deep‑fried turkey is undeniably scrumptious, however except you are well-equipped, extremely cautious and assured with the method, it might be finest to let knowledgeable chef or restaurant deal with it for you."