Cooking a moist and flavorful turkey breast can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy if you use a Reynolds oven bag. These nifty bags create a closed cooking environment that locks in moisture and flavor for tender, succulent meat every time.
As someone who loves cooking turkey breast for my family, I was pleasantly surprised when I first tried using a Reynolds oven bag several years ago. The turkey came out incredibly juicy and delicious with very little effort on my part I’ve been using Reynolds bags to cook turkey breast ever since!
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the benefits of cooking turkey in a Reynolds oven bag, tips for choosing the right breast, easy step-by-step instructions, estimated cooking times, and serving suggestions Let’s get started!
Why Cook Turkey Breast in an Oven Bag?
Turkey breast meat is lean and can easily dry out when roasted uncovered in the oven Cooking in a Reynolds oven bag provides the following advantages
-
Seals in moisture and juices: The bag creates a closed environment that keeps all the natural juices and moisture inside the meat instead of evaporating out. No basting required!
-
Intensifies flavor: Seasonings fully permeate and flavor the turkey when cooked in an oven bag. Herbs, spices, citrus, or marinades all work great.
-
Speeds up cooking time: The bag allows the meat to cook faster compared to traditional roasting methods. Cooking time can be reduced by up to 30%.
-
Easy cleanup: Simply toss away the bag after cooking. No need to scrub a messy roasting pan!
The result is turkey breast that’s super juicy, flavorful, and ready to serve in way less time. Reynolds oven bags take all the guesswork out of cooking moist turkey.
Choosing the Right Turkey Breast
When selecting a turkey breast to cook in a Reynolds oven bag, you have two main options:
-
Bone-in breast: Has the bones and skin intact. Provides the best flavor and texture.
-
Boneless breast: Has the bones and skin removed. Cooks more quickly but can be less juicy.
For the juiciest results, I recommend choosing a bone-in breast half. Plan on about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of meat per person. A 2-3 pound breast half can feed 3-4 people.
You can use either a thawed or frozen breast. Just be sure to thaw completely if using frozen. This typically takes 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
Once thawed, pat the breast dry before seasoning. This helps the seasoning stick to the skin.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly cooked turkey breast using a Reynolds oven bag.
Ingredients:
- 1 bone-in turkey breast half (2 – 3 lbs)
- 1 tbsp flour
- Reynolds Oven Bag (size medium or large)
- Seasonings of your choice
- Vegetable oil or melted butter
Directions:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
Add 1 tbsp flour to the oven bag. Shake bag to coat the inside. This prevents sticking and bursting.
-
Place the seasoned bag in a baking pan or roasting pan. Add any aromatics like onions, carrots, or celery to the bottom of the bag.
-
Rinse turkey breast and pat dry with paper towels. Brush all over with oil or melted butter.
-
Generously season the breast with salt, pepper, herbs, garlic, citrus, or any of your favorite seasonings.
-
Place seasoned breast in the bag on top of the vegetables.
-
Close the bag tightly with the nylon tie provided. Make 6 half-inch slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.
-
Tuck the ends of the bag into the baking pan to prevent burning.
-
Bake according to the estimated cooking times below until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
-
Carefully open the bag, transfer breast to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve.
Estimated Cooking Times
Breast Size | Cook Time at 350°F
What Is Russian Dressing, Anyway?
It turns out, this American invention was once made with caviar, a nod to Russian cuisine. Nowadays, it’s a ketchup-and-mayo-based dressing with added chili, horseradish, and spices, giving it a tangy kick. While it’s often confused with Thousand Island dressing, Russian dressing is spicier, whereas Thousand Island leans sweeter.
Store-bought options, like Wish-Bone’s version, tend to be red and thinner, while homemade recipes often incorporate mayonnaise for creaminess. For this sandwich, creamy is the way to go—it ties the flavors together beautifully.
Perfect Turkey Every Time with Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bags
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in a Reynolds oven bag?
BAKE 12 to 2 hours or until meat thermometer reads 165°F in each breast, not touching the bone. For easy slicing, let stand in oven bag 10 minutes.
Is it better to cook a turkey breast in a bag or not?
If you’re aiming for an easy method to cook an extra juicy, tasty turkey with plenty of flavorful juices for gravy, oven bags are the best method.Oct 9, 2024
Do you put water in the bag when cooking a turkey?
Unless you have a roaster with a lid that goes in your oven. The purpose of the bag would be to keep it ‘covered’ while it’s cooking You can dump the 1/2 the amount of water in the bag to keep it moist but the bag on it’s own will help.
Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
-
Moist results:A lower temperature allows for slower cooking, which helps retain moisture in the turkey breast.
-
Even cooking:The lower heat ensures the turkey cooks evenly throughout, preventing overcooked parts.
-
Good for large breasts:If you are cooking a large turkey breast, 325°F is especially recommended to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is fully cooked.