Is It Better to Cook a Turkey in a Bag? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Come Thanksgiving, many home cooks wonder if using an oven bag is the best way to cook a turkey. This method promises a foolproof, fuss-free bird with tender, juicy meat. But are the benefits worth sacrificing crispy skin and deep roasted flavor? Let’s take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of cooking turkey in a bag.

What is an Oven Bag?

An oven bag is a specially designed nylon or polyester bag certified for use in the oven up to 400°F. It allows heat and moisture to circulate while retaining juices. Oven bags for turkeys are oversized to fit birds up to 24 pounds. Most turkey oven bags have an oven-safe tie for securing the sealed bag.

The Benefits of Cooking in a Bag

There are several advantages to using an oven bag for your holiday bird:

• Juicy meat – The bag seals in moisture extremely well Turkey cooked in a bag is very juicy and tender,

• Self-basting – The bag allows juices and steam to continuously baste the turkey, No manual basting required

• Speeds cooking – Turkey cooks up to an hour faster in a bag, since it’s essentially being steamed.

• Minimal cleanup – The bag contains all drips and splatters. Just throw away the bag when done.

• Easy gravy – Pour juices from bag into a saucepan to make flavorful gravy.

The Downsides of Cooking in a Bag

However, there are some drawbacks to the oven bag method:

• No crispy skin – The constant moisture makes it nearly impossible to achieve browned, crispy skin.

• Muted flavor – Without roasting in open air, you miss out on rich roasted turkey flavor.

• Can’t stuff turkey – Stuffing may not reach a safe temperature if turkey cooks faster.

• Plastic waste – Single-use oven bags create more waste versus reusable roasting pans.

• Chemical concerns – While oven bags are considered safe, some avoid cooking with plastic.

Other Ways to Keep Turkey Moist

If you want guaranteed juicy turkey without the bag, consider these alternatives:

• Brining – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine infuses moisture.

• Dry brining – Rubbing turkey with salt and letting sit improves texture.

• Butter rubbing – Massaging butter under the skin keeps meat very moist.

• Aromatic padding – Placing herbs/citrus inside cavity perfumes the meat.

• Basting – Frequently spooning pan juices over turkey prevents drying.

Tips for Cooking Turkey in an Oven Bag

If you do opt to use a bag, follow these tips:

• Choose a turkey 24 lbs or under to fit most bags. Completely thaw.

• Prep turkey as desired – truss, rub with oil/butter, season.

• Add 1 tbsp flour inside bag to prevent bursting. Shake to coat.

• Fill bag with aromatics like onion, carrots, herb stems.

• Place turkey in bag breast-side up. Secure top with oven-safe tie.

• Make 6 small slits for thermometer access. No part of bag should touch oven.

• Cook at same temp as recipe states, but check about 1 hour earlier.

• Let rest in bag 30 mins before removing turkey and making gravy with juices.

The Verdict

For easy, fuss-free turkey with supremely juicy meat, oven bags work wonderfully. However, you sacrifice deep roasted flavor and crispy skin. Many home cooks opt for open roasting combined with brining, basting and butter to get the best of both worlds. While convenient, oven bags aren’t required for moist, delicious turkey. Consider your priorities, then decide if cooking turkey in a bag is right for your Thanksgiving table.