Thanksgiving dinner is made easy with this incredibly moist and perfectly cooked turkey in a bag. The oven-safe roasting bag creates a tender and golden turkey with just a few simple steps making this the BEST way to cook a turkey. Turkey in a bag is Thanksgiving day’s best-kept secret! I promise that when you give this method a try you will never want to make it any other way. It is the easiest and fastest way to cook a turkey. You will love the extra time you have to make the sides and desserts. You have to make my green bean casserole, this sweet potato dish, and of course this perfect pie crust for all your pies!
What Is Turkey in a Bag?
Turkey in a bag is definitely the way to cook a turkey! The turkey turns out so juicy on the inside and golden and flavorful on the outside. The oven bag locks in the steam and keeps the turkey so moist as it cooks. Everyone will be surprised at how perfectly cooked your turkey is and how little work you put into it. Of all the many methods to cook a turkey, the bag method is the way to go. I like to use the Reynolds turkey oven bags because they are heat-resistant and BPA-free. If you have never roasted a turkey this way, I am telling you, it will change your life! I am fully converted, and I can’t tell you enough how simple and foolproof it is. If you love easy recipes like this for Thanksgiving day then you need to make this easy corn casserole, my 1-hour rolls, and this easy no-bake key lime pie.
Ingredients For Cooking Turkey In a Bag
Turkey is the most important part of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Having just the right ingredients will add flavor and create a perfectly golden turkey for your Thanksgiving! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.
Turkey: Your turkey can be any size between 12-18 lbs. Be sure to safely thaw it according to the package instructions.Dried Italian Seasoning: Turkey is delicious when seasoned with dried herbs!Kosher Salt: Salt is important in giving the turkey flavor!Black Pepper: Black pepper adds flavor and Butter: Softened butter is best for rubbing on and inside of the turkey. Butter gives the turkey a great flavor and golden coloer.Flour: Flour is used to keep the oven bag from bursting while it bakes.Oven-Safe Bag: Make sure it is one of those large turkey-sized oven bags.
Let’s Cook the Best Turkey EVER
This oven-baked turkey in a bag is golden brown, tender and juicy! It’s the absolute perfect turkey recipe that will make you wish that Thanksgiving came around more often! I can’t wait for you to make it and wow your Thanksgiving guests.
Prepare the Turkey
Butter, Season, and Place Turkey in Bag
Cook and Rest the Turkey
Remove From the Fridge: Remove your turkey from the refrigerator for about 30 minutes prior to preparing. This will help it to bake more evenly.Dry: Pat turkey completely dry, soaking up any excess water with paper towels.Remove Giblets: In the turkey cavity, you will want to remove the neck and giblet bag.Tie it Up: With kitchen twine or string, tie the legs together.Fold Under the Wings: Take the turkey wings and fold the end of them under your bird. This will prevent them from burning and drying out.
Wings: Remove the turkey wings first.Thighs: Thighs will go next, cutting through the joints.Breast: Slice close to the rib cage carving the breast meat into individual slices.Excess meat: Move your knife to the flat side, and carve right up against the rib bones.Separate: Now that the meat is off, separate the dark meat (thighs and drumsticks) from the white meat. Plate: Plate everything all together for more option choices at the dinner table.
In the Refrigerate: Wait until your turkey has cooled. Then, place it in an airtight container and put it in your fridge, It can last there for 3 to 5 days.In the Freezer: After your turkey has cooled down then place it in a freezer bag. Lay your turkey flat in the bag and then zip or suction out all the air in the bag. Label your bag with the date and then you can keep it frozen for up to 1 month in the freezer. When ready to reheat, place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.To Reheat: To reheat in the oven then place in a baking dish at 350° Farhenheit for 12 to 15 minutes or until warm. When reheating in a microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes at a time until warm. Try not to overheat. This will leave your leftover turkey dry and hard.
Leftover Turkey Casserole
Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Mediterranean Casserole
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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