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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: Softened butter 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 post to 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!
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Turkey In a Bag
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Where do you buy bags for cooking a turkey in. And do they come large enough for a 25 pound turkey. We live in Canada & I have never saw them in our grocery stores.
Hi Carol, they are usually easier to find seasonally. I would ask your local grocery store if they have any and if they will be getting any in for the holidays. Here is a link I found to purchase them online through Target, but I’m not sure if you will be able to get them in Canada. If not, I have a new dry brine turkey recipe I will be posting later today. You don’t need a bag for that recipe and it makes the turkey incredibly flavorful and juicy.
I saw where you had a recipe for turkey gravey without the drippings. I can’t seem to find it now today. Can you send me the recipe. Thanks Rosemarie
Hi Rosemarie! I think the recipe you’re looking for is this one for brown gravy. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love this, it is the only way I cook my turkey. So much easier and the turkey stays moist.
I have used a bag for years. Best way to cook a Turkey, plus it cooks faster. You get lots of drippings for gravy. I also stuff my turkey with the dressing.
I do all of the steps above except, no holes in the bag, squeeze into a glass baking dish & cook at 70% power in my microwave 😃
10-12lb turkey Been doing it for 35 yrs this way, delicious every time. .
I’m going to try this! I’ve never been in charge of the Turkey before! Can I use your Oven Baked Herb Turkey recipe and cook it in the bag? Love the herbs and citrus idea but want to use the bag!
I’m sure that would work great!
Thank you, Hon! I have seen but never tried it in a bag! Since it will only be John and I, I will try it that way!! Will let you know how we like it! Thanks again, hon….Marcy
Oh, this is my new favorite way, you’re going to love it! I don’t know if I will ever go back to cooking it any other way. Let me know what you think!!