Learn How to Cook a Turkey in a Bag for tender and flavorful turkey every time. This fool proof way to cook turkey is the easiest Thanksgiving turkey.
I have been hosting the holidays at my house for over 15 years and we always make this turkey in a bag recipe. This is the best and easiest way to cook a turkey. You will get delicious meat every single time that is loaded with the best flavor.
If you are looking for an simple way to cook your Thanksgiving Dinner, then we have your covered. Check out Easy Crock Pot Spiral Ham Recipe, How to Cook a Spiral Ham, and Instant Pot Spiral Ham Recipe. You may even like these other Easy Main Dish Recipes.
Ingredients
- Whole Turkey – Make sure it is fully thawed
- Onion, Celery and Carrots – Peeled and cut into large chunks
- Butter – We used Unsalted Butter
- Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Turkey Size Oven Bag – Feel free to use any brand.
For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.
Tools Needed for a Roasted Turkey
- Turkey Size Oven bags – These bags are easy to find at your grocery store. Usually in the section where sandwich bags are.
- Large roasting pan – We like using a disposable pan when making the turkey. It makes cleanup a breeze.
- Digital Read Thermometer – Using a meat thermometer is a must when you cook any type of meat.
How to Cook a Turkey in a Bag
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and move the oven rack 1 level lower than the center of the oven. This should give you plenty of room for the turkey.
Step 2 – In a small mixing bowl and combine the butter, garlic, salt and pepper together.
Step 3 – Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and tuck the wings under the turkey. If you prefer, you can tie back the wings of the turkey.
Step 4 – Take the butter mixture and rub all over the skin of the turkey breast. Make sure to get it all over including top of the turkey. We also get under the skin and which helps crisp up the skin.
Step 5 – Add the tablespoon of flour into the oven bag and shake it to coat the inside of the bag with the flour.
Step 6 – Add the onion, carrots and celery into the oven bag. Then finally add the turkey into the oven bag on top of the vegetables.
Step 7 – Close the oven bag with the nylon tie, at the ends of the bag, that comes with the bag. Once it is closed, put the bag with all of the ingredients in a roasting pan. I like to spray the roasting pan with a little cooking spray so the bag doesn’t stick.
Step 8 – Cut slits in the top of the bag to allow the steam to escape. It is important not to forget this step. Bake turkey based on the size of your turkey.
Step 9 – Once finished cooking, let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes. Then carefully cut the oven bag off the turkey and remove the turkey and place on a platter. It is ready to serve and enjoy.
How to Cook a Turkey in a Bag
Ingredients
- 12-24 lb Whole Turkey ($24.00, fully thawed)
- 1 white onion ($1.05, peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 2 Carrots ($0.80, peeled and chopped into large pieces)
- 3 Celery Ribs ($1.50, cut into large pieces)
- ½ cup Butter ($2.00, softened)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic ($0.50)
- 1 Tbsp Salt ($0.05)
- 1 Tbsp Pepper ($0.10)
- Turkey Size Oven Bag ($1.50)
- 1 Tbsp Flour ($0.05)
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position the oven rack one level below the center.
- In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup softened butter, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper.
- Remove the neck and giblets from the 12–24 lb turkey and tuck the wings underneath.
- Rub the butter mixture evenly over the entire turkey.
- Place 1 tablespoon flour into the oven bag and shake to coat the inside.
- Add 1 white onion (cut into chunks), 2 carrots (chopped), and 3 celery ribs (cut into pieces) into the oven bag. Place the turkey on top of the vegetables inside the bag.
- Seal the oven bag with the included tie and place it in a roasting pan. Cut small slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.
- Bake according to the turkey size, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F:12–15 lb turkey: 2 to 2½ hours15–20 lb turkey: 2½ to 3 hours20–24 lb turkey: 3 to 3½ hours
- Remove from the oven and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes.
- Carefully cut open the oven bag, transfer the turkey to a serving platter, carve, and serve.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- You can use a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey. Just adjust the cooking time.
- To thaw a turkey properly, allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey to thaw in a refrigerator.
- Make sure to cut 1 inch slits in the oven bag so the steam can escape.
- When coating the turkey with the butter mixture, get all around. Don’t miss any spots because this gives the turkey amazing flavor.
- You can order turkey size oven bags. So handy and the best way to cook a turkey.
- Seasoning Turkey – Feel free to change the seasoning in the butter rub mixture. You can easily add in fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme.
- Stuffing – You can easily add a stuffing mixture into turkey’s cavity if you prefer.
- A 12-15 lb turkey will take approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours.
- A 15-20 lb turkey will take approximately 2 ½ – 3 hours.
- A 20-24 lb turkey will take approximately 3 – 3 ½ hours.
Nutrition Facts
Best Way to Cook a Turkey
I have tried many different ways to cook a turkey. Cooking it in the bag is really the best way to cook a turkey.
- I love the way it keeps the turkey so moist.
- The skin gets the perfect golden brown without much effort on my part.
- In my opinion, I just feel better that all the ingredients go in the bag. Putting the ingredients in the bag just makes it more flavorful.
- But my favorite part, is easy cleanup. I make sure I dump all the juices in a pan so that I can make the gravy.
I prefer to use a bag and cook a turkey this way. It really is fool proof and hard to mess up. This method is perfect for a beginner and the turkey comes out flavorful every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store your leftover turkey in an airtight container up to 4 days. Make sure to store in the fridge or you can place in the freezer for up to 3 months. See Over 50 Leftover Turkey Recipes
When you are cooking the turkey in the bag, it traps in the heat which allows your turkey to cook faster. Your turkey will cook about an hour faster when cooking in the bag. Which means the bag helps get dinner on the table faster.
The cooking time is based on the size of the turkey. You can also use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature.
Make the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. I always stick the thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey thigh. You can also stick it in the thickest part of the breast.
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I made this recipe yesterday it turned out to be the best turkey I’ve ever made! Thank you for this. I also made the crock pot green bean casserole! Simply fantastic!
-Jeana-Lane D