I’ve been against roasting Thanksgiving turkeys in roasting bags this whole time. It seems to me an easy way to end up with a soggy-skinned bird, when we all seem to be striving for crispy skin. However, I also am against making judgements when I haven’t actually tried out the method. Last week, I purchased myself a roasting bag and put a whole turkey inside to roast. It did not result in flabby skin. It was surprisingly successful, actually. And the benefits might be something you’re interested in trying for yourself.
My priorities have always been speed and flavor. Getting a whole turkey cooked fast is already tough, so I usually spatchcock it which solves both problems. The turkey is splayed out flat so it cooks faster, and the legs and thighs receive equal exposure to the drying heat instead of being tucked away. This leads to better tasting skin on all parts of the turkey. However, you can’t stuff a spatchcocked turkey, and the truth is, a lot of folks like the traditional method—roasting it whole and stuffed.
Cooking the star of your Thanksgiving meal – the turkey – can be a daunting task Many home cooks opt to use an oven roasting bag to help keep the turkey moist and make gravy prep easier But is cooking your turkey in a bag absolutely necessary? What are the pros and cons of oven bags, and what are some alternative roasting methods?
The Benefits of Cooking a Turkey in an Oven Bag
There are several potential advantages to cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in an oven roasting bag
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Juicier Meat – The bag seals in moisture and juices as the turkey cooks, keeping the meat very moist and tender. The bag essentially steams the turkey from the inside out.
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Easy Gravy – The juices collect in the bottom of the bag, making gravy prep simple. Just pour the flavorful liquid out after roasting.
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Minimal Cleanup – Turkey juices and splatters are completely contained in the bag so there are no drips or spills to clean up in the oven
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Faster Cooking Time – A bag can decrease total roasting time by up to 30 minutes since it holds in heat efficiently.
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Consistent Doneness – The steamy environment promotes even cooking so you are less likely to end up with overdone portions.
For novice cooks or busy hosts looking to keep Thanksgiving prep easy, oven bags offer convenience and reliability.
Potential Drawbacks of Oven Bags
However, oven roasting bags do have some downsides to consider:
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Lack of Crispy Skin – Steaming the turkey prevents the skin from crisping up. If you want that crackling brown exterior, you’ll need to use another roasting method.
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Can’t Stuff the Turkey – Stuffing baked inside the turkey may not heat to a safe temperature in the shorter cook time. Cook stuffing in a casserole dish instead.
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Chemical Concerns – Some types of oven bags may contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), contaminants that can migrate into food during roasting. Look for unlined, PFAS-free bags.
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Single-Use Waste – Most oven bags are not reusable, generating more waste. Reusable silicone turkey bags are available as an alternative.
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Removes Turkey Flavor – Some claim that oven bags dilute the turkey’s roasted flavor.
So if you want crispy skin, classic stuffed turkey, or are concerned about chemicals from the bag leaching into your food, oven roasting bags may not be the best choice.
How to Cook a Turkey Without a Bag
You don’t actually need an oven bag to roast a turkey – people have been roasting turkeys for generations before oven bags were invented! Here are some alternative roasting methods:
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Roast Turkey on a Rack – For traditional crispy skin and rich roasted flavor, cook your turkey right on a roasting rack in a heavy roasting pan. Use a v-rack to lift the turkey up so air can circulate all around for even browning and place a pan with vegetables underneath to catch drippings for gravy. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with pan juices.
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Butterfly the Turkey – Removing the backbone and flattening the turkey allows it to roast more quickly and evenly. Covering it with a salt and herb rub gives fantastic crispy skin.
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Grill the Turkey – For optimal crispy skin and smoke flavor, grill your turkey on a charcoal or gas grill with indirect heat. Use wood chips or chunks in a smoker box for extra smoky taste. Baste with melted butter or oil to prevent drying out.
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Deep Fry the Turkey – Deep frying yields incredibly moist, tender meat with an ultra crispy skin in the shortest cook time. Lower the turkey slowly into a peanut oil bath heated to 350-375°F using a fryer basket. Fry 3-4 minutes per pound.
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Try Other Vessels – Use a large stockpot, dutch oven, or roasting pan tightly covered in foil to steam the turkey. Or place turkey parts in a slow cooker with broth and root vegetables for tender shredded meat.
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Go Bagless Partially – Compromise by searing turkey pieces in a hot pan skin-side down first for crisping, then finishing in an oven bag with some broth for steam.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Oven Bags
Cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in an oven roasting bag definitely has some time-saving, mess-preventing advantages. However, you lose out on crispy skin and the classic roasted turkey flavor. Ultimately, whether you use a bag or go bagless depends on your priorities – convenience or tradition? Moist meat or crunchy skin? Gravy head start or pure turkey essence?
If you try an alternative roasting technique this year, like spatchcocking or deep-frying your bird, you may never go back to oven bags again. But there’s also no shame in the reliable oven bag method if it takes some pressure off on hectic Thanksgiving morning. Regardless of the roasting vessel, brining, basting, and properly resting your turkey will ensure you end up with a delicious centerpiece for your holiday feast.
Why an oven roasting bag is helpful
While I didn’t find that the bag made the turkey meat juicier than my regular dry brining preparations, it absolutely keeps moisture in. You can kind of see in the picture below that all the drippings and fat gather at the bottom in one big turkey balloon.
The drippings are already collected. With traditional roasting, taking the turkey out of the pan, removing the roasting vegetables so you can deglaze the pan for gravy can be annoying when you’re in a rush. The roasting bag keeps everything conveniently collected. If you’re strong enough or your turkey is small enough, you can lift the bag, snip the bottom and pour all the juices out into a pot. What you miss out on in fond (the browned bits on the bottom of the pan), you make up for in easier clean-up.
Crispy skin is no problem. As far as crispy skin goes, I found this to be no issue at all. The skin on the breast doesn’t become soggy because you still cut vents in the tops so much of the steam escapes. When the turkey is almost finished cooking, you can crisp the skin even further by taking the turkey out of the oven and cutting the top of the bag open just enough to expose the top and sides of the turkey. Don’t cut it open too much or the drippings may escape the bag. Return it to the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes to finish cooking and to crisp the skin further.
How to use an oven roasting bag
The roasting bag allows you to do exactly that, and the primary allure is that you don’t have to clean up a nasty roasting rack and pan with semi-burnt drippings welded to the bottom. I used Reynold’s Oven Bags and according to the package, the bag keeps moisture in, resulting in “tender juicy meats.”
To use the roasting bag, add a tablespoon of all-purpose flour to the bag and shake it around. This is emphasized in the package’s directions, but do make sure you do it. This bit of starch helps prevent the bag from scorching and tearing open. Load in the turkey and any roasting aromatics you want, like quartered onion, sprigs of thyme and sage, or lemon slices. Arrange them so they’re under the bird and place the bag in a deep roasting pan. Tie the opening with one of the included bag ties, cut a few vents in the top, and tuck the excess plastic down. Roast according to the package directions.
How To Cook A Turkey EASY | OVEN BAG Turkey Recipe | Simply Mamá Cooks
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey in a bag or not?
The bag traps moisture as the turkey roasts, and drips back over the bird, basting it so you don’t have to. Roasting in a bag saves time. Your turkey will cook about an hour faster in an oven bag.
Can you cook a turkey without a turkey bag?
A Dutch oven or a roaster with a lid will do the trick, but you’ll need to check that the lid fits on securely when the bird is in place.Oct 18, 2021
How long to cook a 10 lb turkey at 350 in a bag?
- 8-12 lb turkey: 1 1/2 to 2 hours;
- 12 to 16 lb turkey: 2 to 2 1/2 hours;
- 16-20 lb turkey: 2 1/2 to 3 hours;
- 20-24 lb turkey: 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Are oven bags worth it?
The bags helped the meat to remain moist and juicy and the dishes I baked them in had no baked-on residue that I had to spend a lot of time scrubbing off. Clean up was a breeze. For longer baked meats, the bags are a good idea and these Look bags are both sturdy and great to use.
Should you cook a Turkey in an oven bag?
If you’re cooking the annual Thanksgiving turkey, you might wonder if you should use an oven bag. It’s a method that many advocate makes a juicy turkey—and it’s foolproof for beginners. Find out all the pros and cons of cooking turkey in a bag before you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Should you put Turkey in a bag?
Turkey in a bag makes for easier cleanup, too—no scrubbing a dirty roasting pan. Simply throw the bag in the trash after you’ve strained out the juices to make turkey gravy. If popping plastic in the oven seems like a bad idea, don’t worry. Oven bags are made of materials that are heatproof past the average temperatures used in ovens.
Can you cook a Turkey in a paper bag?
If the bag touches the top or sides of the oven, it will melt. Allow space for it to expand during cooking. You cannot cook a turkey in a paper bag (or other type of bag). The glue, ink and other materials are not food-safe. Plus, you can never be sure how your bag will survive in the hot oven.
Should you roast a Turkey in a bag this Thanksgiving?
There are several reasons for roasting turkey in a bag this Thanksgiving. For one, the bag helps trap moisture which results in extra-juicy meat. It also speeds up the cooking time by trapping in heat. If you’re cooking a turkey for the first time, we highly recommend trying out this method because it’s pretty fool-proof. Ready to get cooking?
What happens if you cook a Turkey in a bag?
The juices get trapped in the bag which not only makes the turkey more tender and flavorful, it also makes it easy to use the juices for gravy. Spices, seasonings and butter get locked in the roasting bag, making your turkey taste amazing. The roasting pan will be easier to clean! Does cooking a turkey in a bag affect cooking time?
Can you cook a turkey without a bag?
Chemical concerns – While oven bags are considered safe, some avoid cooking with plastic. If you want guaranteed juicy turkey without the bag, consider these alternatives: Brining – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine infuses moisture. Dry brining – Rubbing turkey with salt and letting sit improves texture.