This guide will teach you how to cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey using a Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Oven Bag. This method is foolproof, easy, and ensures a juicy and tender turkey every time.
Why Use an Oven Bag?
- Effortless Cooking: No need for brining, basting, or complicated techniques.
- Juicy and Tender Results: The bag locks in flavor and steam, basting the turkey as it cooks.
- Faster Cooking Time: The turkey cooks faster in an oven bag.
- Easy Cleanup: No need to scrub a roasting pan.
What You’ll Need:
- Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Size Oven Bag: Available near aluminum foil and plastic wrap in most grocery stores.
- Large Roasting Pan: A disposable aluminum pan works well for small-medium turkeys.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: Ensures the turkey reaches the proper temperature for safe consumption.
Ingredients:
- 12-24 lb Turkey: A larger turkey browns better in a bag due to longer cooking time.
- Flour: Prevents the oven bag from bursting.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the turkey.
- Onion, Carrots, and Celery: Fresh vegetables add flavor to the drippings for gravy.
- Pepper: Enhances the flavor.
- Dried or Fresh Thyme: Other poultry herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, or marjoram work well too.
- Garlic: Optional, but adds a delicious flavor.
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Move the oven rack one level below center and preheat to 350°F.
- Prepare Turkey: Remove neck and giblets, remove any pin feathers, and tuck wings under the turkey. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
- Make Butter Mixture: Combine softened butter, garlic, thyme, and a little salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub Butter Under Skin: Using the back of a spoon, separate the turkey breast skin from the breast and rub the butter mixture underneath. Alternatively, rub the butter over the skin.
- Season: Season the entire turkey generously with salt and pepper.
- Prepare Oven Bag: Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the bag and shake.
- Add Vegetables: Place the celery, onion, and carrots in the oven bag.
- Add Turkey: Place the turkey on top of the vegetable layer.
- Tie and Cut Slits: Close the oven bag with the included tie. Cut 6 slits across the top of the bag to allow steam to escape, then tuck the ends of the bag into the pan.
- Roast: Bake until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F in the thigh. Refer to the time chart below for estimated cooking times.
Estimated Cooking Times:
| Turkey Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 10-12 lbs | 1 1/2 – 2 hours | 2 – 2 1/2 hours |
| 12-16 lbs | 2 – 2 1/4 hours | 2 1/2 – 2 3/4 hours |
| 16-20 lbs | 2 1/4 – 2 1/2 hours | 2 3/4 – 3 hours |
| 20-24 lbs | 2 1/2 – 3 hours | 3 – 3 1/2 hours |
Important Tips:
- Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches the safe internal temperature.
- Don’t let the oven bag touch the top element or sides of the oven to prevent melting.
- Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes after removing it from the oven to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Be careful when cutting open the bag as hot steam will escape.
Additional Notes:
- Plan about 1 pound of turkey per person.
- Thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey.
- You can substitute other herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, or marjoram for the thyme.
- Add lemon zest to the butter mixture for extra flavor.
Enjoy your delicious and perfectly cooked Thanksgiving turkey!
How Do I Know My Turkey Is Thawed?
Thawing a turkey takes a long time. For instance, it’s time to remove and refrigerate your turkey if, by the Sunday before Thanksgiving, it’s still frozen. Heres why:
- It takes at least a full day for every five pounds of frozen turkey to thaw. It takes more than 72 hours—more precisely, 86 hours—to prepare an 18-pound bird. 4 hours, which is 3 1/2 days. By Thanksgiving Thursday at noon, you will have a thawed turkey, which is cutting it close.
- The smaller the bird, the shorter the cooking time; however, make sure to calculate the cooking time when purchasing the turkey to avoid undercooking any portions of it.
Steps to Make It
- Gather the ingredients.
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The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi - Set an oven rack in the middle and preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place an oven bag in a 2-inch deep roasting pan. To keep it from sticking, coat the interior of the bag with cooking spray before adding flour. Shake to coat. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Arrange the celery and onion in the bag. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Carefully pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on a sanitized surface, like a chopping board. Unless you plan to use the organs to make giblet gravy, discard the organs. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Combine half of the butter and the poultry seasoning in a small bowl. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Using your hands, carefully remove the turkey breast’s skin from the meat and rub the butter-poultry spice mixture in between the skin and the turkey. Rub the remaining butter on top of the turkey breasts. To taste, season the turkey’s exterior with salt and pepper. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Place the apple slices inside of the turkey cavity. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Place the turkey, breast-side up, in the prepared oven bag. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Whisk the apple cider and maple syrup together. Over the turkey, pour mixture, allowing some to overflow into the cavity. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Use the included nylon ties to secure the oven bag; alternatively, twist the bag’s ends and tuck them under the bird’s legs. To create vents, cut six half-inch slits in the top of the turkey bag using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Roast the turkey for two to three hours, or longer, depending on its size, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the bird registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
- Before carving, take the turkey out of the oven and give it 20 minutes to rest. By resting, the turkey’s fluids can re-distribute and retain the moisture within the meat. You can use the juices in the bag as the foundation for your gravy. The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi .
Here are some suggestions for sides to go with your turkey to create a festive and filling meal:
- With so many different ways to prepare them, these simple mashed potatoes are the ideal starch to pair with the bird.
- This smooth, straightforward gravy complements potatoes and veggies well and is perfect for moistening meat.
- Our 15-minute cranberry sauce is a must-have on your plate for a sweet touch.
- A rich dish of bacon and green beans is a fantastic side dish for turkey. Buttery and crunchy, these beans are ready in no time. Our recipe for lemon and garlic broccoli is another excellent option for veggies.
- Stuffing is always one of the dishes most guests enjoy. This simple stovetop recipe has a lovely herb flavor.
- There are several pies vying to be the ideal holiday dessert: chocolate, pecan, pumpkin, and bourbon-apple are among the favorites of children.
How To Cook A Turkey EASY | OVEN BAG Turkey Recipe | Simply Mamá Cooks
FAQ
Does turkey get brown in oven bag?
Can you get crispy turkey skin in a bag?
How do you get turkey skin crispy and brown?
Will meat brown in an oven bag?
Can you cook a Turkey in an oven bag?
Oven bags are made of a heat-resistant material that allows steam to escape, resulting in a moist, evenly cooked turkey. They’re also great for reducing cleanup, as the bag can simply be discarded after cooking. To brown a turkey in an oven bag, you’ll need the following ingredients: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2.
What temperature should you set the oven to when cooking a turkey in an oven bag?
To cook a turkey in an oven bag, the **USDA** recommends setting the oven temperature to **350°F** .The cooking time depends on the weight of the turkey. For example, for a whole, unstuffed
How do you roast a Turkey in a bag?
Tie a knot in the bag to seal. Lastly, before roasting, make about six (one-inch) vents in the bag with scissors or a knife. Roast and rest. Move the bagged turkey to the roasting pan and be sure to tuck the bag into the pan; we don’t want the bag to come in contact with the oven walls or racks.
How do you cook a frozen turkey in an oven bag?
If your oven bag is not self-basting, add 1/2 cup of water to the bag. Place the turkey breast-side up in a large roasting pan. If the turkey is frozen, thaw it completely before roasting. Rub the turkey with olive oil or butter. Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices. Place the turkey in the oven bag.