Can You Cook Turkey in a Bag? The Easiest Way to Roast a Juicy Bird

Cooking a turkey can be an intimidating task especially if you’re tackling the big bird for the first time on Thanksgiving. Between thawing prepping, stuffing, basting, and monitoring the temperature, there are a lot of steps that can go wrong. However, there is one foolproof method that takes much of the guesswork and stress out of roasting turkey – cooking it in an oven bag.

What is an Oven Bag?

An oven bag is a nylon or polyester bag designed specifically for oven use up to 400°F. The thick, BPA-free material is durable enough to withstand high heat without melting. Oven bags for poultry are large enough to accommodate turkeys up to 24 pounds.

The main benefit of cooking meat or poultry in an oven bag is that it locks in moisture and seals in flavor The bag contains all the juices and prevents the turkey from drying out, It also eliminates the need for basting The hot air circulating inside the bag essentially self-bastes the turkey,

Why Cook a Turkey in a Bag?

There are several advantages to using an oven roasting bag:

• Saves time – Turkey cooks faster in a bag, up to one hour less than traditional roasting. The bag keeps heat close to the body, speeding up cook time.

• Juicy and tender meat – The bag seals in moisture and juices for a foolproof, succulent turkey. No more dried out birds!

• Self bastes – No basting required as juices collect in bottom of bag and reabsorb.

• Easier cleanup – Turkey contains neatly in bag so no messy spills or splatters to clean. Discard bag after cooking.

• Crispier skin – Although skin won’t crisp up as much inside bag, you can finish turkey uncovered for final 15 minutes.

• Infuses flavor – Herbs, vegetables, and aromatics in the bag flavor drippings for tasty gravy.

• Frees up oven space – Since you don’t need a rack, bags condense cooking.

How to Cook a Turkey in an Oven Bag

Step 1) Thaw turkey completely if frozen. Remove giblets and neck. Rinse turkey and pat dry.

Step 2) Rub seasoning or herb butter under and on skin. Season all over with salt and pepper.

Step 3) Add 1 Tbsp flour and shake to coat inside of oven bag. This prevents burning.

Step 4) Place onions, carrots, celery and herbs in bag to flavor drippings.

Step 5) Put turkey in bag breast-side up and tie closed. Make 5-6 slits in top.

Step 6) Put bag in roasting pan, tucking under edges so bag doesn’t touch oven walls.

Step 7) Roast turkey according to chart below until 165°F in thickest part of breast/175°F in thighs.

Step 8) Let rest 30 minutes before removing from bag and carving.

Cooking Time Chart for Oven Bag Turkey

• 10-12 lbs turkey: 1.5 – 2 hours
• 12-16 lbs turkey: 2 – 2.25 hours
• 16-20 lbs turkey: 2.25 – 2.5 hours
• 20-24 lbs turkey: 2.5 – 3 hours

Always use a meat thermometer for doneness, not just cooking times. Cook times are estimates and ovens vary. For safety, turkey should reach 165°F at breast and 175°F at thighs. If stuffed, stuffing must reach 165°F. Let rest at least 30 minutes before carving.

Turkey Oven Bag Tips

• Don’t let bag touch oven walls or element – it could melt/burn.

• Add 1 Tbsp flour to prevent burning and help absorb fat.

• Make slits in top so steam can escape and bag doesn’t burst.

• Use thermometer for doneness, not pop-up timer which can be inaccurate.

• Let turkey rest before removing from bag and carving.

• Carefully open bag away from you to avoid hot steam.

Can You 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 for the heat to circulate between the pieces of meat and for the bag(s) to expand without touching the oven racks or walls. You can use one turkey-size oven bag or two large-size oven bags.

Follow the same method as above but stagger the turkeys on oven racks so one isn’t directly above the other. This allows air flow on all sides. Cook times may need to be extended slightly for two turkeys. Always check internal temperature to ensure doneness.

Make Delicious Gravy from the Oven Bag

One bonus of cooking turkey in a bag is that it produces flavorful pan drippings for gravy. Simply remove cooked turkey to platter, then pour juices from oven bag into fat separator or gravy separator. Follow your favorite gravy recipe, using the turkey juices to build a rich, savory gravy.

The Easiest Roast Turkey You’ll Make

Cooking turkey in an oven bag takes the guesswork and mess out of roasting this holiday bird. The bag keeps meat succulent, infuses flavor, and cuts down cook time. Just follow the step-by-step instructions for a foolproof, juicy turkey dinner. Once you try oven bag turkey, you may never go back to traditional roasting methods again!