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 Thanksgiving turkey is a big responsibility. You want moist, flavorful meat without over or undercooking. Many wonder if using an oven roasting bag can take the guesswork out of roasting turkey. This method promises tender, foolproof results. But is cooking turkey in a bag really the best approach? Let’s examine the pros and cons.
How Oven Bags Work
An oven bag is a specially designed nylon or polyester bag certified safe for roasting in the oven up to 400°F It allows heat and moisture to circulate while sealing in juices. Bags for whole turkeys are oversized to fit birds up to 24 lbs Most have oven-safe ties to securely seal the closed bag.
The Benefits of Cooking Turkey in a Bag
There are several advantages to using an oven bag
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Juicy meat – The bag seals in moisture extremely well Turkey cooked in a bag is very moist and tender
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Self-basting – The bag allows juices and steam to continuously baste the turkey. No manual basting needed.
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Saves time – Turkey cooks up to an hour faster in the bag since it’s essentially steaming inside.
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Minimal cleanup – The bag contains drips and splatters. Just throw away the messy bag after cooking.
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Easy gravy – Pour flavorful juices from the bag into a saucepan to effortlessly make gravy.
Potential Drawbacks of Oven Bags
However, there are some downsides to cooking turkey in a bag:
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No crispy skin – The constant moisture makes browned, crispy skin nearly impossible to achieve.
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Muted flavor – Without roasting in open air, you miss out on rich roasted turkey flavor.
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Can’t stuff turkey – Stuffing may be unsafe if turkey cooks much faster.
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Plastic waste – Single-use bags create more waste than reusable roasting pans.
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Chemical concerns – While deemed safe, some avoid cooking with plastic over health worries.
Alternatives for Moist Turkey
If you want guaranteed juicy turkey without the bag, consider these other options:
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Brining – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine infuses moisture.
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Dry brining – Rubbing turkey with salt and resting improves texture.
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Butter rubbing – Massaging butter under the skin keeps meat very moist.
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Aromatic padding – Placing herbs/citrus inside the cavity perfumes the meat.
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Basting – Frequently spooning juices over turkey prevents drying out.
Cooking Turkey in a Bag: Key Tips
If using a bag, follow these tips:
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Choose a turkey under 24 lbs to fit most bags. Completely thaw.
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Prep turkey as desired – truss, rub with oil/butter, season.
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Add 1 tbsp flour inside bag to prevent bursting. Shake to coat.
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Place aromatics like onion, carrots, herbs in bag.
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Put turkey in bag breast-side up. Secure top with oven-safe tie.
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Make small slits for a meat thermometer. Ensure no bag contact with oven.
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Cook at same temp as recipe states, but check 1 hour sooner.
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Let rest in bag 30 mins before removing turkey and making gravy.
The Verdict: Worth It or Not?
For easy, fuss-free turkey with very moist meat, oven bags absolutely work well.
However, you sacrifice deep roasted flavor and crispy skin. Many home cooks opt for open roasting plus brining, basting and butter to get the best of both worlds. While convenient, bags aren’t required for delicious turkey.
Consider your priorities, then decide if cooking turkey in an oven bag is right for your Thanksgiving table. With proper techniques like brining and basting, you can achieve tender, flavorful results without the bag. But for nearly foolproof turkey, oven bags are a handy option.
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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.
Easy Turkey in a Bag Tutorial | Fall-Off-the-Bone Juicy Holiday Turkey!
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey in a bag or without a bag?
Is it better to cook a turkey in a bag or not? Yes, cooking this oven bag turkey recipe will give you a moist turkey because as it cooks, it will release steam that keeps the juices in the meat. It’s better to cook a turkey in a bag because it infuses the meat with the flavors from the broth and spices.
Does cooking a turkey in a bag change the cooking time?
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. For food safety, always use a meat thermometer to ensure your meat is cooked correctly.
Why put flour in a turkey bag?
ADD FLOUR TO THE BAG: Bag manufacturers claim that adding flour helps prevent the bag from bursting.
What cooking method is best for turkey?
The breast is tender, thus this requires dry cooking methods which include stir fry, sauté, pan fry, deep fry, broil, grill, and roast. Turkey breast is also an excellent choice for moist cooking methods such as boiling (simmer) and poaching.