How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey in a Reynolds Oven Bag?

Cooking a juicy flavorful turkey for Thanksgiving or any special occasion is easier than ever with Reynolds Oven Bags. These sturdy heat-resistant bags allow you to roast a turkey to perfection in the oven while also making clean-up a breeze. But exactly how long does it take to cook a turkey in one of these handy oven bags?

Oven Bag Cooking Times for Turkey

According to Reynolds, cooking times can vary based on the size of your turkey. They provide the following oven bag cooking time guidelines for turkeys:

OVEN BAG TURKEY COOKING TIMESThe cooking times are consistent with food safety guidelines for cooking poultry

As you can see, the larger the turkey, the longer the oven bag cooking time. For a 10-12 pound turkey, expect around 2-2.5 hours of cooking time. A 16-20 pound turkey will need 2.75-3 hours in the oven.

Always rely on a meat thermometer over oven bag cooking times alone to determine doneness. Cook until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and thigh. For well-done turkey with no pink juices, cook until 180°F.

Why Reynolds Oven Bags Speed Up Cooking

Most recipes and turkey package directions estimate a turkey will require 15-18 minutes per pound to reach optimal doneness. This means a 16 pound turkey roasted traditionally may take 4+ hours in the oven.

Reynolds oven bags can shorten cooking time considerably compared to roasting a turkey openly in a pan. There are two main reasons for their speedier cooking:

• The bag traps heat and steam to thoroughly surround the turkey, promoting even cooking.
• The bag keeps all juices and moisture inside, braising the turkey in its own juices. This self-basting effect eliminates the need to manually baste for added moisture.

According to the USDA, turkeys cooked in oven bags can cook up to one hour faster than traditional roasting methods. For large 16 pound and up turkeys that are fully thawed, this time-savings estimate holds true.

Tips for Faster Oven Bag Cooking Times

You can maximize time savings when cooking a turkey in a Reynolds Oven Bag with these tips:

• Ensure the turkey is fully thawed – Frozen turkeys will require significantly longer cooking. Completely thaw turkey in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.
• Preheat the oven fully – Preheat your oven completely to 350°F before placing the turkey bag inside. Starting with a hot oven prevents the need to compensate for a warming-up period.
• Use the right oven bag size – Be sure to use a Turkey-Size Reynolds Oven Bag for birds over 8 lbs. Proper bag room is key.
• Cut bag slits prior to cooking – Don’t forget this important step! Cutting slits before baking allows steam to vent from the start, preventing bag ballooning.
• Cook at 350°F – Reynolds recommends maintaining a steady 350°F oven temperature for fastest cooking. Higher heat won’t necessarily speed things up.
• Avoid opening the oven – Resist opening the oven door until the minimum cooking time has elapsed. Opening the oven frequently causes heat loss and may increase cooking time.
• Check for doneness early – Begin checking internal temp with a meat thermometer 20-30 minutes before the low end of the recommended oven bag cooking time range. This ensures you don’t overcook the turkey if it cooks faster than estimated.

Why Cook a Turkey in a Reynolds Oven Bag?

Beyond faster cooking times, using a Reynolds Oven Bag provides other cooking benefits:

• Moist, tender turkey meat
• Easy cleanup since turkey juices stay in bag
• Even browning
• Turkey self-bastes in its own juices
• Helps prevent dry white breast meat
• Can stand turkey in bag after cooking for easy carrying

While oven bag turkeys won’t have crispy skin, the trade-off for juicy meat and no-mess cleanup is worth it for many cooks. After your first Reynolds oven bag turkey, you may find yourself cooking Thanksgiving dinner this way every year!

Alternate Turkey Cooking Methods

Although oven roasting is hands-down the most popular cooking method, Reynolds oven bags are not your only option for preparing turkey. Consider these alternate cooking methods as well:

• Deep frying – Produces moist meat and crispy skin but requires safety precautions
• Smoking – Infuses delicious smoky flavor when cooked slowly in a smoker
• Grilling – Excellent for flavor, but require frequent basting to prevent drying
• Spatchcocking – Butterflying a turkey for faster, even cooking

Don’t be afraid to try something new if your regular oven bag approach starts to feel tired. Just be sure to factor in any differences in cook times if venturing away from the trusty Reynolds oven bag!

The Takeaway

Cooking times for a turkey in a Reynolds Oven Bag depend on the size of your turkey, but you can expect a 16-20 pound turkey to take around 2 3/4 – 3 hours at 350°F oven temperature. Thoroughly thawing turkey, using properly sized oven bags, preheating your oven, and avoiding peeking can help shorten the cooking time. For moist, tender turkey and no-fuss cleanup, Reynolds oven bags are a no-brainer. Follow their oven bag cooking time estimates and always confirm doneness with a thermometer for perfect turkey every time.