How to Cook a Juicy Turkey Breast in a Bag for a Hassle-Free Meal

Cooking a whole turkey can be intimidating, but cooking just the breast is much easier. By roasting the turkey breast in a bag, you get incredibly moist, tender meat infused with flavor. It’s also a hands-off method that avoids drying out the delicate white meat. Follow these simple steps for foolproof turkey breast every time.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey Breast in a Bag

There are several advantages to cooking turkey breast in a bag rather than traditional roasting:

• Keeps the meat incredibly moist and juicy. The bag traps in steam and the natural juices.

• Infuses flavor into the meat. You can add herbs spices, broth or wine to the bag which permeates the turkey.

• Minimal cleanup. The bag contains drippings rather than your roasting pan.

• Hands-off cooking. Once it’s in the oven you don’t need to baste or tend to it.

• Cooks evenly. The hot air circulates around the bag on all sides.

• Foolproof method. It’s very difficult to overcook or dry out the breast when cooked in a bag.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfect turkey breast every time you make it.

Ingredients

• 1 whole bone-in turkey breast (about 4-6 lbs)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)
• 4-5 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F You’ll roast the turkey breast for about 1 1/2 – 2 hours

2. Pat turkey breast dry and rub all over with olive oil. Generously season with salt and pepper.

3. Chop fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage. Measure out about 2-3 tablespoons.

4. Place chopped onion, carrots and celery in the bottom of a large oven bag.

5. Add turkey breast to bag on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs over turkey.

6. Pour chicken or turkey broth into bag, about 4-5 cups. The liquid helps steam the meat.

7. Cut 6 slits in top of bag to allow steam to escape. Slits should be about 1-2 inches long.

8. Insert meat thermometer in thickest part of breast, avoiding bone. Thermometer should poke through one of the slits.

9. Tie oven bag loosely with cooking twine and place bag on a rimmed baking sheet.

10. Roast at 350°F for 1 1/2 – 2 hours until thermometer reaches 165°F.

11. Remove turkey breast from oven and let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Reserve broth for gravy.

And that’s it! With these simple steps, you’ll have deliciously moist turkey breast with great flavor. The veggies steam right alongside adding even more flavor to the meat and broth. Let the turkey rest for about 15 minutes before carving into slices. Use the broth to make an easy gravy.

Tips for Roasting Turkey Breast in a Bag

Follow these tips for the best results when cooking your turkey breast in an oven bag:

• For even cooking, shape the turkey breast into a uniform shape before cooking. Tuck the wings under and tie legs together with twine.

• Use a good quality oven bag to prevent leaks. Look for bags specially made for roasting.

• Cut several slits rather than one large opening so steam can escape but bag stays intact.

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the breast reaches 165°F and doesn’t overcook.

• Let the breast rest 15 minutes before slicing for juicy meat. The temperature will rise about 10 degrees during this time.

• Make sure the thermometer doesn’t touch bone when inserted. This can lead to incorrect readings.

• Add vegetables, herbs, broth or wine to the bag to infuse the turkey breast with flavor.

• Roast at a high temperature like 350°F to crisp the skin. Drop to 325°F if skin browns too quickly.

Variations for Flavorful Turkey Breast

There are lots of ways to flavor your turkey breast when roasting in a bag. Consider these tasty options:

• Herb butter – Compound butter with fresh herbs adds great flavor when slathered under the skin.

• citrus and herbs – Orange, lemon and fresh rosemary are a delicious pairing.

• Root vegetables – Add cubed potatoes, carrots, parsnips and onion to the bag.

• White wine – Use wine instead of broth in the bag for a savory flavor.

• Dried fruit – Dried cranberries, apricots and cherries plump up nicely in the bag.

• Aromatics – Stuff garlic cloves, shallots and rosemary sprigs into the cavity.

• Dry rub – Coat the breast in spices, brown sugar and herbs before roasting.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with the flavors! The steamy environment in the bag helps impart those flavors into the meat.

Signs Your Turkey Breast is Done

How do you know when the turkey breast is fully cooked and ready to come out of the oven? Here are a few ways to check doneness:

• Temperature – Use a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part. Turkey is done at 165°F.

• Color – The skin will be golden brown when fully cooked.

• Fork tender – Use a fork to test meat. It should pierce and twist easily when done.

• Cut into center – Meat should be white throughout with no traces of pink when sliced.

• Clear juices – Prick the breast with a skewer or knife tip. Clear juices indicate it’s cooked through.

Trust your meat thermometer for the most accurate read on doneness. Never rely solely on cooking times as there are many variables. Always use a thermometer to be sure it reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

Make an Easy Gravy from the Bag Drippings

One of the bonuses of roasting turkey breast in a bag is that you end up with flavorful broth for making gravy. Here’s how:

1. Remove cooked turkey breast from the bag and keep warm.

2. Pour broth from bag into small saucepan. Add any juices collected on baking sheet.

3. Skim off and discard fat. Bring broth to a boil.

4. Make a slurry by mixing 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. Whisk slurry into broth.

5. Cook 2-3 minutes until gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper.

For the smoothest gravy, pour drippings through a gravy separator before making your gravy. This helps remove excess fat for a healthier gravy.

And that’s all it takes for delicious turkey gravy from the tasty broth created while roasting in the bag!

Let the Turkey Breast Rest Before Carving

Be sure to let the cooked turkey breast rest for 15 minutes before slicing into it. This allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat fibers. If you skip this step, the breast will leak precious juices onto your cutting board rather than staying moist and delicious.

To rest, simply transfer the whole breast to a clean platter or carving board. Lightly tent with foil to keep warm. Resist the urge to slice into it right away and wait the full 15 minutes.

While you wait, use this time to make your gravy and finish up any other meal components. Enjoy your juicy, flavorful turkey breast once the rest time is complete!

Best Ways to Use Leftover Turkey Breast

Leftover roasted turkey breast is handy for easy meals throughout the week. Here are some great ways to use up leftovers:

• Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing

• Chopped turkey salad with mayo, celery and cranberries

• Turkey tacos with avocado and lime

• Turkey and vegetables tossed with pasta

• Turkey pot pie with crust or biscuit topping

• Turkey enchiladas with green chile sauce

• Turkey Casserole with stuffing, veggies and cheese

• Turkey soup with noodles or rice

Get creative with your leftover turkey! It will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for 2-3 months. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the meat. Enjoy your leftovers in sandwiches, soups, salads, and casseroles for quick meals.

Key Takeaways for Roast Turkey Breast Success

Cooking turkey breast in a bag is very forgiving, but here are a few key tips for the best results:

• Use fresh herbs, vegetables and broth for flavorful meat.

• Roast at 350°F and use a meat thermometer for doneness.

• Cut slits in bag for steam to