Making dinner has never been so easy! Reynolds Kitchens® Oven Bags create simple, one-pan meals that help you cook tasty, juicy meats, vegetables, and sides with effortless cleanup.
Cooking turkey legs in an oven bag is a great way to ensure they come out incredibly moist tender and full of flavor. But knowing exactly how long to cook turkey legs in the oven bag is the key to getting perfect results every time. Undercook them and you’ll end up with unpleasantly tough rubbery meat. Cook them too long and the turkey legs will dry out. So what’s the ideal cooking time to get fork-tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey legs using the oven bag method? Let’s break it down so you can nail perfectly cooked turkey legs each and every time.
Why Use an Oven Bag for Turkey Legs?
Before jumping into specific oven times let’s first look at why cooking turkey legs in an oven bag is such an excellent technique. Oven bags create a sealed, moist environment that locks in natural juices and flavor. Without the oven bag all those tasty juices are lost as the turkey legs cook. But an oven bag traps them inside right along with the legs. This ensures the meat stays incredibly succulent and tender from the very first bite to the last.
An oven bag also allows you to infuse the turkey legs with extra flavor elements. Simply add fresh herbs, spices, vegetables, broths or other aromatics right to the bag to impart that flavor directly into the meat. The sealed environment forces the seasonings right into the turkey.
Finally, oven bags make cleanup a breeze. No need to scrub a messy roasting pan after cooking. Just toss the oven bag and you’re done!
How Long Should You Cook Turkey Legs in an Oven Bag?
Cooking times can vary quite a bit based on the size and thickness of the individual legs As a general guideline
- Small turkey legs (1-2 lbs each): Bake for 45 mins – 1 hour
- Medium turkey legs (2-3 lbs each): Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours
- Large turkey legs (3-4 lbs each): Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours
- Extra large turkey legs (4+ lbs each): Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours
A good rule of thumb is to calculate 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F. So for a 3 lb leg, cook for 45-60 minutes. But turkey leg sizes can really vary, so rely on an instant-read meat thermometer over cook times.
The best and safest way to ensure any size turkey leg cooks perfectly is to insert a digital meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. Turkey legs are done when the thermometer reads 165°F. If using a whole turkey, calculate time based on the total weight, not just the legs.
Step-by-Step Method for Juicy Oven Bag Turkey Legs
Follow these simple steps for tender, juicy oven bag turkey legs every time:
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Season the Legs: Pat the turkey legs dry and rub them all over with an herb seasoning blend. Try rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, salt and pepper.
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Place in Bag: Put the seasoned legs in a large oven bag, avoiding overcrowding.
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Add Flavorings: Toss in fresh herbs, veggies, broth or wine for extra flavor.
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Seal the Bag: Seal the oven bag while leaving room for circulation. Poke 4-5 small slits in the top.
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Roast: Place bag on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F until done. Time varies based on size.
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Rest: Let turkey legs rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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Make Gravy: Make gravy from the flavorful juices left in the oven bag.
Cooking Tips for Best Results
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For crispy skin, broil legs for 2-3 minutes at the end. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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Flip legs halfway through cooking if they aren’t browning evenly.
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Add broth or water to the bag to keep legs extra moist.
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Brining or marinating legs helps keep them super juicy.
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Let legs sit at room temp for 30 mins before cooking to prevent overcooking.
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Always rest cooked legs for 10+ mins so juices redistribute.
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Carryover cooking will raise the internal temp 5-10°F after removing from oven.
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Test temperature at the thickest part, avoiding bone.
Serving Delicious Oven Bag Turkey Legs
Once you’ve mastered the technique, it’s time to serve your masterpiece! Consider these tasty ways to serve fall-off-the-bone oven bag turkey legs:
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Pair with classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
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Pile turkey legs on top of sweet cornbread dressing and roasted veggies.
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Offer dipping sauces like barbecue, buffalo or honey mustard.
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Serve as an appetizer with blue cheese dip and celery sticks.
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Shred the meat for tacos, nachos, flatbreads, sandwiches and casseroles.
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Slice the meat and add it to hearty soups and stews.
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Make turkey pot pie or turkey noodle soup with the leftover meat.
With this complete guide to oven bag cook times, you’ll be able to achieve tender, juicy turkey legs every single time. Now get ready to impress your family and friends with your new go-to turkey leg recipe. Dig in and savor the delicious flavors!
how long to cook turkey legs in an oven bag: 11
oven bag: 16
turkey legs: 23
cook: 7
juicy: 4
tender: 3
flavor: 3
meat: 3
perfect: 2
bake: 2
roast: 2
gravy: 2
legs: 21
cooking time: 2
baking: 1
roasting: 1
preparation: 1
recipe: 1
technique: 1
method: 1
instructions: 1
steps: 1
guide: 1
tips: 1
tricks: 1
suggestions: 1
ideas: 1
recommendations: 1
advice: 1
Oven Bag Chicken Recipe Ideas
The tantalizing aromas wafting from your kitchen as you cook your oven-bag roast beef or brisket will beckon your family to the table. It’s incredibly easy to whip up a hearty, savory meal in no time at all and save time on cleanup. Follow our comprehensive chart to find roast beef cooking times and oven-bag brisket.
- Preheat the oven according to your recipe or the oven bag cooking time chart.
- Add one tablespoon of flour to the bag, twist the bag closed, and SHAKE (this will keep the bag from bursting). You may substitute wheat, rice, potato, nut, or gluten-free flour, cornstarch, corn meal, matzo meal, or finely crushed crackers instead of flour.
- Place the bag in a pan that is at least 2” deep.
- If desired, spray the inside of the bag with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add water to the bag as directed by the cooking times chart. Season beef with 1 teaspoon dried thyme and ½ teaspoon pepper, or as directed by the recipe.
- If desired, place vegetables around the beef.
- Close the bag with the tie included in the package, then cut six 1/2-inch slits on top of the bag to allow steam to escape. Tuck the ends of the bag in the pan.
- Place the pan in the oven, allowing room for the bag to expand during cooking without touching heating elements, walls, or racks. The bag should not hang over the pan.
- Bake according to the oven bag cooking times chart or recipe.
- ALWAYS CHECK FOR DONENESS WITH A MEAT THERMOMETER.
OVEN BAG ROAST BEEF COOKING TIMESCook until the internal temp reaches 160°F. |
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| Weight | Cooking Time @ 325°F |
| Chuck Pot Roast, Boneless Add 1/2 cup water or broth. Cook until fork-tender. | |
| 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds | 1 3/4 to 2 hours |
| 2 1/2 to 5 pounds | 2 to 3 hours |
| Round Tip Roast (Sirloin Tip) Add 1/4 cup water or broth. Cook until internal temp reaches 145°F. | |
| 3 to 8 pounds | 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours |
| Eye of Round Roast Add 1/4 cup water or broth. Cook until internal temp reaches 145°F. | |
| 2 to 3 pounds | 1 to 1 1/4 hours |
| 3 to 5 pounds | 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 hours |
| London Broil (Top Round) Add 1/2 cup water or broth. Cook until internal temp reaches 145°F. | |
| 3 to 3 1/2 pounds | 55 to 60 minutes |
| Rump Roast Add 1/4 cup water or broth. Cook until internal temp reaches 160°F. | |
| 2 to 4 pounds | 1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| 4 to 8 pounds | 2 to 2 1/2 hours |
| Bottom Round Roast Add 1/4 cup water or broth. Cook until internal temp reaches 160°F. | |
| 2 to 4 pounds | 1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| 4 to 8 pounds | 2 to 2 1/2 hours |
| Prime Rib Roast No water needed. Cook until internal temp reaches 145°F. | |
| 2 to 3 pounds | 45 minutes to 1 1/4 hours |
| 3 to 5 pounds | 1 1/4 to 2 hours |
| Beef Rib Roast, small end 4 ribs No water needed. Cook until internal temp reaches 145°F. | |
| 8 to 10 pounds | 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours |
| Brisket, Boneless Half Add 1/2 cup water or broth. Cook until fork-tender. | |
| 2 to 3 pounds | 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours |
| 3 to 5 pounds | 2 1/2 to 3 hours |
| Brisket, Boneless Whole Add 1/2 cup water or broth. Cook until fork-tender. | |
| 8 to 10 pounds | 3 to 3 1/4 hours |
| Corned Beef Brisket Add 1/2 cup water or broth. Cook until fork-tender. | |
| 2 to 3 pounds | 2 1/2 to 3 hours |
| 3 to 5 pounds | 3 to 3 1/2 hours |
Oven Bag Turkey Recipe Ideas
For an effortless way to prepare your home-cooked meals, try cooking dinner in an oven bag. Follow these simple steps and cooking times to ensure a delicious meal for four to six people with chicken and other poultry, beef, ham, pork, and lamb. If you’d like to keep these instructions handy, go ahead and download the complete guide for safekeeping or printing.
How to Bake Turkey Drumsticks | Oven Bag Method
FAQ
How long does it take to cook turkey in an oven 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.
How long does a turkey leg take to cook?
- Small turkey legs: Cook at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time.
- Large turkey legs: Cook at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
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Crispy skin:Cooking at a slightly higher temperature like 350 degrees can help brown the skin more effectively, creating a crispier texture.
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Moist meat:While a higher temperature might seem like it could dry out the meat, using a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature and ensuring you don’t overcook is key to keeping the turkey juicy regardless of the cooking temperature.
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Cooking time:Cooking at 325 degrees will typically take longer than cooking at 350 degrees.