How to Cook Turkey {In an Oven Bag}
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Additional Time
20 mins
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Total Time
3 hrs 35 mins
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Servings
12 -24
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
How to Cook Turkey {In an Oven Bag}
Description
How to Cook Turkey in an Oven Bag involves seasoning the turkey cavity and skin with salt and pepper, then rubbing softened butter mixed with garlic and thyme underneath the breast skin and over the exterior. This technique allows the butter and herbs to penetrate and baste the meat during roasting. The turkey is placed into a floured oven-safe bag along with chopped celery, onion, and carrots which contribute aromatics as the turkey cooks. Placing slits in the bag permits steam to escape while retaining moisture inside.
Roasting at 350 degrees Fahrenheit on a rack just below center ensures even cooking. The oven bag method helps lock in juices, yielding a moist turkey with a seasoned surface without requiring frequent basting. The herbs and vegetables infuse subtle flavor into the drippings, ideal for gravy.
This method fits well for holiday meals or large gatherings where a 12 to 24-pound turkey is served, feeding approximately one person per pound. Removing the neck and giblets before roasting is standard, and tucking the wings aids even cooking. The recipe offers flexibility to use fresh or thawed frozen turkey.
Thaw the turkey thoroughly in the refrigerator, allowing about 24 hours for every 5 pounds. Herbs such as parsley, rosemary, sage, or lemon zest can be substituted or added to the butter mixture to vary flavor. Ensure the oven bag does not touch heating elements to prevent melting.
Ingredients
- 12 - 24 lb. turkey (fresh or frozen and fully thawed)
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 3 garlic minced (1 Tbsp, cloves
- 1 tsp dried thyme, or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh*
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 celery chopped into 2-inch pieces, ribs
- 1 large yellow onion peeled and chopped into chunks
- 2 carrot peeled and chopped into 2-inch pieces
Instructions
- Move oven rack one level below center and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small mixing bowl stir together butter, garlic, thyme and season with a little salt and pepper.
- Remove neck and giblets from turkey and remove any pin feathers left behind. Tuck wings under turkey. Season cavity of turkey with salt and pepper.
- Using the back end of a wooden spoon separate turkey breast skin from breast. Rub butter underneath skin (again I just use the back end of the spoon), smooth over skin to spread butter out. Altnerately you can just rub butter over skin but I feel it seasons better when rubbed underneath.
- Season all over turkey with a fair amount of salt and pepper.
- Add 1 Tbsp flour to the Reynolds Kitchens Turkey Size Oven Bag and shake. Place oven bag in a roasting pan, add celery, onion and carrots to oven bag. Place turkey over vegetable layer in oven bag.
- Close oven bag with the oven safe tie included. Cut 6 slits across top of the oven bag to allow steam to escape then tuck ends of oven bag into the pan.
- Cook unstuffed turkey according to size (the breast should register 165 degrees in center of thickest portion in several places and the thigh 175 degrees on an instant read thermometer): 12 - 16 lb turkey: 2 - 2 1/4 hours16 - 20 lb turkey: 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 hours20 - 24 lb turkey: 2 1/2 - 3 hours
- Let turkey rest 20 minutes. Carefully cut top of oven bag open, transfer turkey to carving board and carve.
Notes
- Plan for about 1 pound of turkey per person to determine size needed for your gathering.
- Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours per 5 pounds plus an extra day to be safe.
- Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, or lemon zest can be added to the butter mixture for different flavor profiles.
- Make sure the oven bag does not touch the sides or top heating elements of the oven, as contact can cause melting.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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