Turkey in a Bag Cooking Method

Prepare your turkey in a bag for a moist, tender, and delicious holiday meal. This foolproof method guarantees mouthwatering results every time, plus it makes cleaning up effortless.

Why Choose to Cook Turkey in a Bag?

Cooking turkey in a bag locks in moisture, keeping the bird juicy and flavorful. It also reduces cooking time by trapping heat inside, and the best part – there's no need to scrub the pan afterwards, just dispose of the bag.

Essential Ingredients and Tools for Turkey in a Bag

Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare this highly-rated turkey in a bag recipe:

· Whole Turkey: This recipe requires a 12-pound turkey. If you’re using a different size, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
· Seasonings: Simple salt and pepper seasoning enhances the turkey's natural taste.
· Flour: Two tablespoons of flour prevent the bag from bursting and promote a nice golden-brown finish.
· Vegetables: Roast the turkey with onions and celery, and consider adding carrots for extra color and flavor.
· Turkey Bag: You can find oven-safe turkey bags at most grocery stores, typically in the aluminum foil or plastic wrap sections.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Turkey in a Bag

Below is the complete step-by-step guide, but here's a quick summary of what you can expect when cooking your turkey in a bag:

1. Prepare the Turkey: Remove the giblets, pat the turkey dry, and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare the Bag: Coat the bottom of the bag with flour. Add the turkey along with chopped celery and onions. Seal the bag, place it in a roasting pan, and poke several holes in the bag using a fork.
3. Roast the Turkey: Bake in a preheated oven until the juices run clear. Check the internal temperature of the thigh with an instant-read thermometer, aiming for 180°F.

Cooking Time for Turkey in a Bag

For a 12-pound turkey, this method should take about 3 to hours at 350°F in the oven to fully cook the bird.

Additional Turkey FAQs

At Dinogo, we’re passionate about perfecting the Thanksgiving meal. That’s why we’ve compiled answers to all your top turkey-related questions. Explore some of our best turkey tips, tricks, and guides collected over the years:

· Brining a Turkey
· 3 Safe Ways to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
· How Much Turkey Should You Plan for Each Person?
· Trussing a Turkey Made Simple
· Smoking a Turkey
· Easy Turkey Carving Tips

Browse our complete collection of Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks.

Tips and Praise from the Dinogo Community

"Where has this turkey-in-a-bag method been all my life?!" exclaims chiquitabanana. "I cooked the turkey breast-side-down like a few others suggested. Followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly! This is now our new holiday tradition!"

"I'm a beginner cook, and this recipe was so simple for me," says Candice Schmidt. "I made this for our Christmas family gathering, and it turned out perfectly. I did add some carrots and a couple of apples, but other than that, I followed the recipe exactly."

"PERFECT," cheers BABBYLEE. "Tender, juicy, and effortless! This will be how I make every turkey from now on. I even planned the rest of the meal to be ready sooner, as my turkey cooked in less time than expected."

Contributions from Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 1 (12 pound) whole turkey

• salt and ground black pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 5 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 2 large onions, quartered

• 1 large turkey bag

Instructions

Collect all the necessary ingredients.

Remove and discard the giblets.

Rinse the turkey and gently pat it dry.

Season the turkey generously with salt and pepper.

Dust the bottom of the turkey bag with flour.

Place the turkey inside the bag, then add chopped celery and onions.

Seal the turkey bag and place it in a roasting pan; use a fork to poke several holes in the bag.

Bake in the preheated oven until the turkey is fully cooked and the juices run clear, about 3 to hours. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 180°F (85°C).

Enjoy your meal!

Nutritional Information (per serving)