Whether this is your first Thanksgiving meal preparation or you’re an experienced chef, the turkey takes center stage on the table, so it needs to be flawless!
Are you ready to tackle the Thanksgiving turkey this year? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer, roasting a turkey can be daunting But fear not! This guide will walk you through the process of roasting a turkey in an oven bag, making it a breeze and ensuring a juicy, flavorful bird.
Why Oven Bags?
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:
- Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag: These are readily available in the grocery store aisle alongside aluminum foil and plastic wrap.
- Large Roasting Pan: A disposable aluminum pan is perfect for smaller turkeys.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: This is essential for ensuring the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature.
- 12-24 lb Turkey: Choose a fresh or frozen turkey that’s fully thawed.
- 1 Tbsp Flour: This helps prevent the bag from bursting.
- Salt and Pepper: Seasoning is key for a flavorful turkey.
- Optional:
- Vegetables: Onion, carrots, and celery add flavor to the drippings for gravy.
- Herbs: Thyme, garlic, and other poultry herbs enhance the taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and move the rack one level below the center.
- Prep the turkey: Remove the neck and giblets, and any remaining pin feathers. Tuck the wings under the turkey. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
- Make the butter mixture: Combine softened butter, minced garlic, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the turkey: 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 the entire turkey generously with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the oven bag: Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the bag and shake it to distribute evenly. Place the bag in the roasting pan and add the chopped vegetables (if using).
- Add the turkey: Place the seasoned turkey on top of the vegetable layer in the oven bag.
- Close and cut the bag: Secure the bag with the included tie. Cut 6 slits across the top of the bag to allow steam to escape. Tuck the ends of the bag under the pan.
- Roast the turkey: Refer to the chart below for estimated roasting times based on the turkey’s weight. Remember, these are just estimates, so always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the thigh reaches 175°F and the breast reaches 165°F in several places.
- Rest the turkey: Once cooked, let the turkey rest in the bag for 20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
- Carve and enjoy: Carefully cut open the top of the bag, transfer the turkey to a carving board, and carve.
Approximate Roasting Times for Oven Bag Turkey:
| Turkey Weight | Unstuffed Cooking Time | Stuffed Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Tips for Success:
- Don’t skip the flour in the bag or the slits on top. These prevent the bag from bursting.
- Make sure the bag doesn’t touch the heating elements or sides of the oven, as it could melt.
- Always check the temperature of the turkey before carving.
- Let the turkey rest before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Be careful when cutting open the bag, as hot steam will escape.
Additional Resources:
- Reynolds Kitchens® Oven Bag Cooking Chart & Guide: This comprehensive chart provides cooking times for various meats and poultry, including turkey.
- Thanksgiving Oven Bag Turkey Recipe: This recipe from Reynolds Kitchens® offers a delicious and easy way to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey.
- Herb Roasted Holiday Turkey Recipe: Looking for a flavorful twist? This recipe incorporates herbs for a delicious and aromatic turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I use a regular oven bag instead of a Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag?
While other oven bags may work, Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bags are specifically designed for turkeys and are large enough to accommodate even the biggest birds.
- Can I brine a turkey in an oven bag?
No, oven bags are not intended for brining. The pressure from the liquid could cause the bag to burst.
- Will I have enough juice for gravy when using an oven bag?
Yes, the oven bag will produce plenty of flavorful juices for making gravy.
- What can I use instead of flour in the oven bag?
Cornstarch, cornmeal, matzo meal, or finely crushed crackers are all suitable substitutes for flour.
- Can I cook two turkeys at once?
Yes, you can cook two small turkeys or two turkey breasts at the same time if your oven is large enough. Use two separate oven bags and follow the cooking times for the largest piece of meat.
- Can I cook a turducken in an oven bag?
No, Reynolds Kitchens® Oven Bags are not intended for cooking turducken.
- What is the ideal internal temperature of turkey?
The USDA recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F in several places, not touching the bone. If you prefer well-done poultry, cook it until the thigh reaches 180°F (not touching the bone).
- What is the maximum temperature for oven bags?
Reynolds Kitchens® Oven Bags are safe up to 400°F. However, they should not be used for broiling or exposed to direct flames or coils.
- What is the minimum temperature to cook turkey in an oven bag?
For food safety reasons, turkey should not be cooked at an oven temperature lower than 325°F. Overnight or all-day cooking is not recommended.
- How long does it take to cook a turkey in an oven bag?
Cooking time varies based on the turkey’s size. Refer to the oven bag cooking times chart for estimated times.
- Can I prepare the turkey the night before and store it in the oven bag in the refrigerator?
Yes, you can prepare the turkey and store it in the oven bag in the refrigerator overnight. Don’t forget to cut the slits in the bag on the day of cooking.
- Can I open the oven bag toward the end of cooking to brown the turkey?
No, never open the oven bag and return it to the oven. Drippings from the edges of the bag may fall outside the roasting pan and cause smoking or burning.
Roasting a turkey in an oven bag is a simple and effective way to ensure a delicious and juicy bird. By following these steps and tips, you’ll be a Thanksgiving turkey-roasting pro in no time!
COOKING A TURKEY IN AN OVEN BAG
Using a Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag to cook your Thanksgiving turkey is a great way to make sure it turns out a golden light brown and stays moist and succulent. 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
- One tablespoon of flour (you can also use gluten-free flour, corn starch, corn meal, or matzo meal in place of 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. One tablespoon of flour should be added to the bag, shaken to distribute it (you can also use gluten-free flour, corn starch, corn meal, or matzo meal in place of flour). Then, add sliced vegetables, depending on the recipe. To help keep the bag open while you place the turkey inside, turn down the ends several times.
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.
Score the top of the bag six times with a half-inch knife so that steam can escape while the turkey cooks. To make sure the bag stays away from the oven or other heating elements when cooking, tuck the bag’s corners into the pan and cut or fold down any excess bag that extends past the tie.
Place the turkey on the lowest rack of your oven to roast. There’s no need to baste or attend to the turkey. To determine how long an oven bag will take to cook a turkey, consult the cooking chart that comes with the package. Use one of the slits in the top of the bag to take a temperature reading to determine when 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.
Place serving forks inside the turkey’s neck and chest cavities to extract it from the bag. Then, transfer your turkey to a serving dish for dinner. Use the juices to make flavorful gravy to pair with the moist turkey.
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 get all the juicy details about cooking a turkey in an oven bag and our oven bag cooking times!