The turkey is the most important part of Thanksgiving dinner, so it has to be perfect every time, no matter how many times you’ve made it before.
Roasting a turkey in an oven bag is a game-changer for achieving a fuss-free and flavorful holiday bird An oven bag locks in moisture and juices while allowing the turkey to cook faster Follow this simple guide to roast a tender, juicy turkey in an oven bag.
What is an Oven Bag?
An oven bag is a thick heat-resistant nylon bag designed to withstand oven temperatures up to 400°F. It allows you to roast foods like poultry meat, and vegetables neatly in the bag, trapping in moisture and juices for added flavor. Oven bags come in large and turkey sizes and are disposable after one use.
Using an oven bag speeds up cooking time, minimizes cleanup, and guarantees a juicy bird. The bag creates a contained cooking environment, sealing in the turkey’s natural juices and preventing moisture loss. This self-basting effect gives you tender, succulent meat infused with all its flavorful turkey juices.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey in an Oven Bag
There are several advantages to roasting your turkey in an oven bag:
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Faster cooking time – The bag traps heat and moisture, decreasing oven time by about an hour.
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Self-basting – Turkey juices collect in the bag, continuously basting the meat for added moisture.
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Easy cleanup – No splatters or spills to scrub off your roasting pan.
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Juicy turkey – Sealed moisture results in a tender succulent bird.
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Flavorful meat – Turkey juices infuse the meat with more flavor.
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Convenient – Just season and secure the bag – no basting required!
Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting Turkey in an Oven Bag
Follow these simple steps for foolproof results:
1. Select the Right Turkey
Choose an unstuffed turkey weighing 24 lbs or less. Completely thaw the turkey before cooking.
2. Prepare the Turkey
Remove giblets and neck from cavity. Rinse turkey and pat dry. Truss legs. Rub butter/oil over skin and season as desired.
3. Add Flour to Bag
Place oven bag in roasting pan. Add 1 tbsp flour to bag and shake to coat interior. This helps the bag withstand turkey juices.
4. Add Aromatics to Bag
Place chopped onions, carrots, celery and fresh herbs in bag to make a rack for the turkey.
5. Put Turkey in Bag
Place turkey breast-side up in bag. Use bag tie to secure opening. Make 5-6 half-inch slits in top of bag for venting.
6. Roast Turkey
Put pan with bagged turkey in oven. Roast at 325°F until internal temperature reaches 165°F in thigh.
7. Check Temperature
Turkey cooks faster in a bag, so start checking about an hour before recipe time. Insert thermometer in slits to monitor doneness.
8. Let Turkey Rest
Allow turkey to rest in bag for 30 minutes before removing bag and carving.
9. Make Gravy
Pour juices from bag through a strainer into a saucepan to make gravy.
Turkey Oven Bag Roasting Times
Cooking times will vary based on the size of your turkey. Below are general roasting guidelines:
- 10 to 12 lbs: 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours
- 12 to 16 lbs: 2 to 2 1⁄4 hours
- 16 to 20 lbs: 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours
- 20 to 24 lbs: 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm your turkey reaches 165°F. Let rest 30 minutes before carving.
Oven Bag Roasting Tips
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For crispy skin, roast turkey uncovered on rack for the last 15 minutes.
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Avoid overstuffing bag with too large a turkey.
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Do not let bag touch oven walls or heating element.
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Use thermometer to check doneness; turkey cooks faster in a bag.
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Let turkey rest in bag 30 minutes before removing and carving.
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Make gravy from strained juices in bag.
Enjoy Perfectly Roasted Turkey
Roasting your holiday turkey in an oven bag helps retain moisture and infuse the meat with more flavor. Follow this easy oven bag method for a fuss-free, juicy roasted turkey your family will love. Rest assured your beautiful bird will turn out tender and delicious every time.
TURKEY OVEN BAG COOKING TIMES
Add 1 tablespoon of flour to coat the bag when preparing your turkey oven bag. Do not add any water (unless directed).
| OVEN BAG TURKEY COOKING TIMES Until internal temp reaches 165°F in the breast and thigh in several places, not touching the bone (If you prefer a well-done turkey with no pink juices, cook until 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone) | |
| Turkey Weight | Cooking Time @ 350°F |
| Whole Turkey, unstuffed | |
| 10-12 pounds | 1 1/2 to 2 hours |
| 12-16 pounds | 2 to 2 1/4 hours |
| 16-20 pounds | 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours |
| 20-24 pounds | 2 1/2 to 3 hours |
| Whole Turkey, stuffed (stuffing temperature should be 165°F) | |
| 10-12 pounds | 2 to 2 1/2 hours |
| 12-16 pounds | 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours |
| 16-20 pounds | 2 3/4 to 3 hours |
| 20-24 pounds | 3 to 3 1/2 hours |
| Turkey Breast, bone-in | |
| 8-12 pounds | 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours |
| Turkey Breast, boneless | |
| 8-12 pounds | 2 1/2 to 3 hours |
| Wild Turkey | |
| Same as whole turkey, but if skinless, add 1/4 cup water and brush with extra oil or butter. | |
Check out our oven bag cooking charts for turkey, chicken, beef, pork, and more to learn how to cook a turkey in an oven bag and how long to cook one in an oven bag.
COOKING A TURKEY IN AN OVEN BAG
Cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in a Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag is a great way to make sure it stays juicy and tender while also getting a golden light brown color. Plus, with an oven bag, you wont even have to worry about scrubbing the roasting pan. Just follow these easy steps to roast a turkey in an oven bag for your next dinner.
- Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag
- One 8 to 24-pound turkey
- This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of flour. Instead of flour, you can use corn starch, corn meal, matzo meal, wheat, rice, potato, nut, or gluten-free flour.
- Ties that come in the oven bag package
- Large oven-safe roasting pan or disposable aluminum roasting pan
- Seasonings
- Meat thermometer
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Place a turkey-size oven bag into a large roasting pan that is at least two inches deep. Put one tablespoon of flour into the bag and shake it around to spread it out. Instead of flour, you can use corn starch, corn meal, matzo meal, wheat, rice, potato, nut, or gluten-free flour. Then, add sliced vegetables, depending on the recipe. Several times, fold the ends of the bag down to help keep it open while you put the turkey inside.
Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. If you like to stuff your turkey, place the stuffing into the cavity. Be careful not to overstuff. Pat the skin dry, brush the turkey with oil or melted butter, and season as desired. Not sure what to use for seasoning? Try this herb-roasted turkey recipe. Place turkey in the oven bag atop your sliced vegetables.
Close the bag with the nylon tie found in the turkey oven bag carton. It’s usually folded inside the cooking chart.
Cut six half-inch holes in the top of the bag to let the turkey’s steam escape. Tuck the bag’s corners into the pan and cut off or fold down the extra bag that hangs over the tie so it doesn’t touch the oven or heating elements while it’s cooking.
Place the turkey on the lowest rack of your oven to roast. There’s no need to baste or attend to the turkey. Check the cooking chart inside the box to get an idea of how long it will take to cook a turkey in an oven bag. Look through one of the cut holes in the top of the bag to see if the turkey is done cooking. Place a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey thigh, not touching the bone.
Let the turkey stand in the bag for 15 minutes after removing it from the oven. Then, cut the top of the bag open with cooking shears or a paring knife.
The turkey can be taken out of the bag by putting serving forks in its neck and chest. Then, transfer your turkey to a serving dish for dinner. Use the juices to make flavorful gravy to pair with the moist turkey.
How To Cook A Turkey EASY | OVEN BAG Turkey Recipe | Simply Mamá Cooks
FAQ
Is it better to roast a turkey in a bag or not?
Do you have to put flour in a turkey oven bag?
How to use oven bags for roasting?
Are oven bags good for roasting a Turkey?
Oven bags are a fantastic tool for roasting turkey. They lock in moisture, preventing the turkey from drying out, and they also make cleanup a cinch. No more scrubbing a greasy roasting pan! Plus oven bags help the turkey cook faster saving you precious time on Thanksgiving Day. What You’ll Need:
How long do you cook a Turkey in an oven bag?
If you prefer a well-done turkey with no pink juices, cook until 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone). A turkey roasted in an oven bag will usually cook one hour faster than traditional open roasted methods. For approximate cooking times, follow the oven bag turkey cooking times chart.
How do you cook a turkey breast in a Reynolds kitchens oven bag?
A: Thank you for your inquiry regarding Reynolds Kitchens™ Oven Bags. Pre-heat oven to 350°F Add one tablespoon of flour to Reynolds™ Kitchens Oven Bag Cut six: ½” slits across top of oven bag Turkey Breast (bone-in) 4 – 7 pounds Cook 1 ¼ – 1 ¾ hours, relying on a meat thermometer temperature of 170°F for true doneness.