Turkey In a Bag

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Thanksgiving dinner is made easy with this incredibly moist and perfectly cooked turkey in a bag. The oven-safe roasting bag creates a tender and golden turkey with just a few simple steps making this the BEST way to cook a turkey.

Turkey in a bag is Thanksgiving day’s best-kept secret! I promise that when you give this method a try you will never want to make it any other way. It is the easiest and fastest way to cook a turkey. You will love the extra time you have to make the sides and desserts. You have to make my green bean casserole, this sweet potato dish, and of course this perfect pie crust for all your pies!

What Is Turkey in a Bag?

Turkey in a bag is definitely the way to cook a turkey! The turkey turns out so juicy on the inside and golden and flavorful on the outside. The oven bag locks in the steam and keeps the turkey so moist as it cooks. Everyone will be surprised at how perfectly cooked your turkey is and how little work you put into it. Of all the many methods to cook a turkey, the bag method is the way to go.

I like to use the Reynolds turkey oven bags because they are heat-resistant and BPA-free. If you have never roasted a turkey this way, I am telling you, it will change your life! I am fully converted, and I can’t tell you enough how simple and foolproof it is. If you love easy recipes like this for Thanksgiving day then you need to make this easy corn casserole, my 1-hour rolls, and this easy no-bake key lime pie.

Ingredients For Cooking Turkey In a Bag

Turkey is the most important part of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Having just the right ingredients will add flavor and create a perfectly golden turkey for your Thanksgiving! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

Turkey: Your turkey can be any size between 12-18 lbs. Be sure to safely thaw it according to the package instructions.
Dried Italian Seasoning: Turkey is delicious when seasoned with dried herbs!
Kosher Salt: Salt is important in giving the turkey flavor!
Black Pepper: Black pepper adds flavor and
Butter:Softenedbutter is best for rubbing on and inside of the turkey. Butter gives the turkey a great flavor and golden coloer.
Flour: Flour is used to keep the oven bag from bursting while it bakes.
Oven-Safe Bag: Make sure it is one of those large turkey-sized oven bags.

Let’s Cook the Best Turkey EVER

This oven-baked turkey in a bag is golden brown, tender and juicy! It’s the absolute perfect turkey recipe that will make you wish that Thanksgiving came around more often! I can’t wait for you to make it and wow your Thanksgiving guests.

Prepare the Turkey

Preheat Oven: Adjust the rack of your oven to be on the second position from the bottom and remove any racks above. Preheat the oven to 350° Farhenheit.
Prepare Roasting Pan: Ensure the pan is at least 2 inches larger than the turkey. Also, make sure your oven-safe turkey bag is larger than your turkey so it can wrap all the way around it.
Coat Bag With Flour: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour into the turkey bag. Shake well making sure to coat the inside of the bag with flour. Place the bag in the pan then prepare the turkey.
Prepare Turkey: Remove the neck and the bag of giblets from the turkey’s cavities. Rinse the turkey well (inside and outside) then pat dry with paper towels. Be sure to throw away the paper towels and wash your hands well.
Tie Legs and Wings: Using string or twine, tie up the turkey legs and the wings together.

Butter, Season, and Place Turkey in Bag

Combine Seasonings: Mix together the dried Italian seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Butter and Season Turkey: Rub the outside and inside of the turkey generously with the softened butter. Season well with the mixture of seasonings.
Place Turkey in Bag: Add the turkey to the bag, breast side up.
Seal Bag: Close the bag and seal it with the enclosed nylon tie. You can also twist it tightly and tie it in a knot.
Place Bagged Turkey Into Pan: Tuck the bag into the pan to keep it from touching the element in the oven.
Cut Slits: To allow steam to release, cut 5 slits in the top of the bag.

Cook and Rest the Turkey

Cook Turkey: Place the turkey in the oven and bake for about 2 1/2-3 hours. Cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey. My turkey was 14 pounds and it took 2 1/2 hours to reach the right temperature.
Check Temperature: Refer to the cooking chart enclosed with the baking bag. Check the temperature by placing a thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey thigh. When the internal temperature reaches 165° Farhenheit, it’s ready!
Rest Turkey: Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Remove Turkey From Bag: Open the bag and carefully remove the turkey to a serving platter.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish around the turkey with sliced fresh parsley or herbs, oranges, lemons, and cranberries. It will make it festive and beautiful!

How to Thaw and Prep a Turkey

It is best to start your turkey in a bag with a completely thawed turkey. This can take 3 to 7 days depending on how frozen and how large your turkey is. Definitely, be planning and thinking ahead! You thaw a turkey by placing it into the refrigerator in a large pan or baking sheet. And then you just leave it there until it’s no longer frozen! Once your turkey is thawed and you are ready to bake your turkey, here are a few steps to prepare your turkey for the oven.

Remove From the Fridge:Remove your turkey from the refrigerator for about 30 minutes prior to preparing. This will help it to bake more evenly.
Dry:Pat turkey completely dry, soaking up any excess water with paper towels.
Remove Giblets: In the turkey cavity, you will want to remove the neck and giblet bag.
Tie it Up:With kitchen twine or string, tie the legs together.
Fold Under the Wings:Take the turkey wings and fold the end of them under your bird. This will prevent them from burning and drying out.

How to Carve a Turkey

Looking at the turkey and knowing where to carve the turkey is sometimes overwhelming. Once you remove your turkey from the bag, don’t be intimidated. Here are some tips on where to start! Make sure your knife is sharp and you have a fork to help hold your turkey and plate in place while carving.

Wings:Remove the turkey wings first.
Thighs:Thighs will go next, cutting through the joints.
Breast:Slice close to the rib cage carving the breast meat into individual slices.
Excess meat: Move your knife to the flat side, and carve right up against the rib bones.
Separate:Now that the meat is off, separate the dark meat (thighs and drumsticks) from the white meat.
Plate:Plate everything all together for more option choices at the dinner table.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover turkey in a bag makes the BEST leftovers! There are so many things that you can do with it! Check out my recipes at the end of the postto help you use up the rest of the Thanksgiving turkey. Here is how you can store extra turkey to save for later!

In the Refrigerate:Wait until your turkey has cooled. Then, place it in an airtight container and put it in your fridge, It can last there for 3 to 5 days.
In the Freezer:After your turkey has cooled down then place it in a freezer bag. Lay your turkey flat in the bag and then zip or suction out all the air in the bag. Label your bag with the date and then you can keep it frozen for up to 1 month in the freezer. When ready to reheat, place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
To Reheat:To reheat in the oven then place in a baking dish at 350° Farhenheit for 12 to 15 minutes or until warm. When reheating in a microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes at a time until warm. Try not to overheat. This will leave your leftover turkey dry and hard.

Recipes Using Leftover Turkey

I love getting use out of the leftover Thanksgiving turkey! It’s fun to make a recipe using the ready to go turkey from the fridge. Don’t let your turkey go to waste and make some of these yummy recipes for your family. They’re going to love them!

Dinner

Leftover Turkey Casserole

45 mins

Dinner

Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup

30 mins

Dinner

Turkey Pot Pie

50 mins

Dinner

Turkey Mediterranean Casserole

35 mins

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4.75 from 4 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

▢ 1 Turkey about 12-18 lbs. (thawed according to package)
▢ 1 tablespoon flour
▢ 4 tablespoons butter, softened
▢ 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
▢ 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
▢ 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Turkey

Adjust the rack of your oven to be on the second position from the bottom and remove any racks above. Preheat the oven to 350° Farhenheit.
Ensure the pan is at least 2 inches larger than the turkey. Also, make sure your oven-safe turkey bag is larger than your turkey so it can wrap all the way around it.
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour into the turkey bag. Shake well making sure to coat the inside of the bag with flour. Place the bag in the pan and prepare the turkey.
Remove the neck and the bag of giblets from the turkey's cavities. Rinse the turkey well (inside and outside) and pat dry with paper towels. Be sure to throw away the paper towels and wash your hands well.
Using string or twine, tie up the turkey legs and the wings together.

Butter, Season, and Place Turkey in Bag

Mix together the dried Italian seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Rub the outside and inside of the turkey generously with the softened butter. Season well with the mixture of seasonings.
Add the turkey to the bag, breast side up.
Close the bag and seal it with the enclosed nylon tie. You can also twist it tightly and tie it in a knot.
Tuck the bag into the pan to keep it from touching the element in the oven.
To allow steam to release, cut 5 slits in the top of the bag.

Cook and Rest the Turkey

Place the turkey in the oven and bake for about 2 1/2-3 hours. Cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey. My turkey was 14 pounds and it took 2 1/2 hours to reach the right temperature.
Refer to the cooking chart enclosed with the baking bag. Check the temperature by placing a thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey thigh. When the internal temperature reaches 165° Farhenheit, it's ready!
Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Open the bag and carefully remove the turkey to a serving platter.
Garnish around the turkey with sliced fresh parsley or herbs, oranges, lemons, and cranberries. It will make it festive and beautiful!

Nutrition

Serving: 3ozCalories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 47gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 465mgPotassium: 493mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 245IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Turkey In a Bag - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Why not to cook turkey in a bag? ›

Since a bag cooks turkey faster, there's a chance the stuffing won't have enough time to heat up to a safe temperature. You can opt for making dressing (stuffing baked in a casserole dish) instead, or be sure to take the temperature of the stuffing before serving.

How long do you cook a turkey in a cooking bag? ›

For whole, unstuffed turkeys in oven cooking bags, cook at 350 °F for the following approximate times:

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.

Apr 5, 2024

View Details ›

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350? ›

Oven-Roasted Turkey

We recommend starting the turkey in a 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes before tenting the pan with foil and lowering the temperature to 350 degrees until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the bird.

Why pour boiling water over turkey? ›

By adding hot boiling water on the skin first, it helps in breaking down the collagen rendering it even crispier. Of course if you like to present a whole bird at the table, then this method won't be as attractive, (seem my other recipes) but if you carve your turkey in the kitchen, then this is a great option.

See Details ›

Is it better to cook a turkey in a turkey 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. However, if you prefer crispy, roasted brown skin, you'll want to skip the oven bag and try using one of our other methods on how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.

Show Me More ›

Is it better to cook a turkey in a roasting bag or not? ›

It will yield juicy and tender meat and will avoid entirely the brining or basting steps that most turkey recipes require. By trapping the moisture and heat, oven bags cook the bird faster and make it a breeze to collect all the juices to start making the gravy while the turkey rests.

Explore More ›

What is the best temperature to cook a turkey in an oven bag? ›

Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat the inside of 1 oven roasting bag with cooking spray. Add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, twist to close briefly, and shake to coat the bag with the flour. Set the bag in a roasting pan and roll it back to ready the opening for adding the turkey.

Read On ›

How long to cook a turkey at 325 in a bag? ›

Insert a meat thermometer through a slit in the bag into the thickest part of the meat, making sure the thermometer is not touching the bone. Roast turkey for 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 hours or until an thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 175°F. Remove turkey from oven. Let stand 15 minutes.

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How long does it take to cook a 12 lb turkey in a Reynolds bag? ›

OVEN BAG TURKEY COOKING TIMES

OVEN BAG TURKEY COOKING TIMES The cooking times are consistent with food safety guidelines for cooking poultry.
Turkey Weight	Cooking Time @ 350°F
10 to 12 pounds	1 1/2 to 2 hours
12 to 16 pounds	2 to 2 1/4 hours
16 to 20 pounds	2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours

20 more rows

Learn More Now ›

Is 325 too low to cook a turkey? ›

Oven Temps: Best roasting is two stage process—425°F (218°C) for 1 hour, then down to 325°F (163°C) for however long it takes until the turkey is done. If you read a post telling you exactly “how long to cook a turkey,” hit the back button fast.

Show Me More ›

How many hours does it take to cook a 14 lb turkey at 325? ›

Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.

How long does it take to cook a 7 pound turkey at 325? ›

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the bird between the breast and part of the thigh (being sure not to hit bone). It's done when the thermometer just reaches 165ºF. In general, you should plan to cook a turkey for around 15-20 minutes per pound of turkey at 325ºF to get to that temp.

Keep Reading ›

Is it better to cook a turkey in a bag or foil? ›

Oven bags trap moisture inside, which helps to baste the meat and creates rich and seasoned juices for making delicious gravy. Plus, oven bags can save you from messy spills and make cleaning up a snap after cooking your turkey.

Discover More ›

Are turkey bags oven safe? ›

Dec 15, 2023

Both the cooking bags and their closure ties are made from heat-resistant nylon. They can be used in a microwave oven or in a conventional oven set no higher than 400 °F (204 °C).

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What happens if you cook a turkey with the bag inside? ›

If you do forget to remove the giblets before roasting your turkey, all may not be lost. Giblets wrapped in paper can cook safely inside the cavity. If the giblets are wrapped in plastic, however, the plastic may melt inside the turkey and release harmful chemicals.

Tell Me More ›

Why don t turkey bags melt? ›

An oven bag, cooking bag or roasting bag is a bag used for the roasting of meat or other food in an oven. An oven bag must be chosen so that it will not melt at the temperature during cooking. They may be made of heatproof nylon or sometimes with food grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Get More Info ›