Turkey in a Bag (So Easy!)

I have various turkey recipesbut cooking turkey in bag A truly special approach! The bag seals in all the juices and flavor, making the meat tender and juicy. The best part? It’s so easy to make!

different from ordinary roast turkey, you don’t have to worry about marinating the bird, oiling it, or keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t dry out. To roast a bagged turkey, you simply season it, place it in the bag, and let the oven do the rest.This is a fun and stress-free way to make a delicious, moist turkey – perfect for you grateful feast.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking bagged turkey, what each ingredient does in the recipe, and substitution options.For measurements see Recipe card below.

• turkey – When I can find a free-range Thanksgiving turkey, I’ll buy it, but choose any turkey you like.
• onion – Onions are stuffed inside for added flavor. I quartered the yellow onions for this recipe, but you can use white or red onions.
• unsalted butter – Let it come to room temperature before using so it spreads easily on the turkey.You can also use butter (clarified cream) as an alternative for those with dairy sensitivities.
• garlic – Garlic Cream. Since roasting turkey in a bag is such a hassle, I recommend using fresh minced garlic here for the best flavor.However, if you are pressed for time, use 1 tbsp canned minced garlic instead.
• fresh herbs – To make the garlic herb buttercream for this bird, I used fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage.I don’t like using dried herbs compound cream Like this, but if you must, use a teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs.You can also keep it simple and just use 2 tbsp italian seasoning or poultry seasoning.
• sea ​​salt and black pepper
• chicken soup – I usually buy reduced sodium broth, but feel free to use regular.You can also use Bone soup if you prefer.
• Arrowroot – This is used to thicken the broth into turkey gravy, but it also helps the moisture in the bag mix with the cooked fat from the turkey, preventing too much steam from building up and bursting the bag.You can also use cornstarch or any absorbent Cornstarch Substitutes Or substitute starch.

How to Cook a Bagged Turkey

This section shows how to roast a bagged turkey, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique to help you visualize it.For full instructions, including quantities and temperatures, see Recipe card below.

1. Prepare turkey. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.Stuff onion quarters into turkey cavity and tie legs together twine.
2. Make the vanilla buttercream. In a small bowl, mash together the cream, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt and pepper.
3. Season the turkey. Spread the butter mixture under the skin and all over the outside of the turkey.

4. Mix broth and starch. Stir together the chicken broth and some arrowroot powder until there are no lumps.
5. Have the baking bag ready. Add more arrowroot powder to a large oven-safe baking bag. (You can find turkey-sized oven bags at the grocery store around Thanksgiving, or buy one here.) Hold the bag with your hands and shake to disperse.
6. Place turkey in bag. Then pour in the broth mixture and tie the bag tightly. Make some small slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.

7. Roast turkey. Place the turkey into the bag and place Comes with baking pan, chest side up. Grill until cooked through (see suggestions below).
8. rest. Let the turkey rest in the bag, then carefully carve it and transfer the turkey to a plate.

9. Optional step: Make the gravy. Strain the juices from the pot through a sieve. Add the strained stock to the saucepan and add the arrowroot powder or cornstarch. Boil, stirring frequently, until gravy thickens. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to taste.

How long does it take to cook a bagged turkey?

For a 16-pound turkey, place the turkey in the bag and roast for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the thickest part of the thigh or breast reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If your turkeys vary in size, a good rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes per pound of turkey.

Here is a schedule of approximate cooking times:

Tips for success

Cooking turkey in a bag is very low-effort and one of the easiest ways to prepare a special meal, but here are some tips to ensure you get the best results every time:

• Use room temperature ingredients. Make sure to thaw the turkey completely and remove the neck and giblets before cooking. If you don’t use room temperature turkey, the vanilla cream will clump on cold turkey.
• Read baking bag instructions. Most instructions recommend coating the inside of the bag with flour to prevent it from cracking. I used arrowroot instead, or you could use cornstarch.
• Make it juicier. For a juicy turkey, the internal temperature should be 155-160 degrees and covered with foil immediately after removal from the oven. Before serving, cover the turkey with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 20 minutes to reach 165 to 170 degrees.
• Use a meat thermometer. As a general rule of thumb, cook turkey at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes per pound.But for best results, use probe thermometer And set the internal temperature so you can take it out at the right time.Alternatively you can check instant read thermometer.

Storage instructions

• Shop: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
• Reheat: Microwave turkey parts at 50% power to prevent them from drying out, or place the whole turkey in a 350°F oven until heated through.
• freeze: Let the turkey cool to room temperature, then place on a baking sheet in the refrigerator for an hour until firm. Place in a ziploc bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

What to serve with turkey in a bag

One of the reasons I love roasting turkey in a bag is because it leaves plenty of time to prepare all the classic Thanksgiving side dishes. I also like to include some light-hearted options. Here are some ideas:

Leftovers Ideas

There are many ways to enjoy leftover turkey besides reheating. Here are my favorite leftover turkey recipes:

• Soup – create a warm leftover turkey soup Or replace the ground turkey with the traditional method turkey soup A satisfying and comforting change to the main course.
• casserole – Remove the meat from the bones and add to Leftover Turkey Casserole Featuring vegetables, cranberry sauce, cheese and nuts.Alternatively, replace the ham with Breakfast Casserole There is turkey for breakfast after the festival.
• salad – Tear the meat into shreds and swap for protein Chicken Caesar Salador prepare a turkey salad Serve with crackers or vegetables.

More Easy Turkey Recipes

Looking for more ways to cook juicy turkey? Here are some more easy turkey recipes that are perfect for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner:

Turkey in a Bag (So Easy!)

Cooking turkey in a bag is an easy way to make turkey for Thanksgiving! This easy recipe is made with garlic and fresh herbs and is juicy, tender and flavorful.

Prepare: 20 Every minute

chef: 3 Hour 30 Every minute

All: 3 Hour 50 Every minute

Serving size: 16 (Adjust according to recipe proportion)

raw material

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instruct

Click on the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).

2. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.

3. Stuff the onion pieces into the turkey and tie the turkey legs with string twine.

4. In a small bowl, mash together the cream, garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper.

5. Use about 1/3 of the cream mixture to spread under the skin of the turkey. Rub the entire outside of the turkey with the remaining cream mixture.

6. Stir together the chicken broth and 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) until there are no lumps.

7. Add remaining tablespoon of arrowroot powder to large oven roasting bag. Hold the bag with your hands and shake to distribute the arrowroot powder. (This will prevent the bag from cracking in the oven.)

8. Place the turkey into the roasting bag, pour in the broth mixture, and tie the bag tightly using the ties provided. Make some small slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.

9. Place the turkey into the bag and place Baking pan.roasted for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the thickest part of the thigh or breast reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). (If your turkeys vary in size, a good rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes per pound of turkey.)

10. Remove from oven and place in baking bag to rest 15 minutes.

11. Carefully open the bag and remove the turkey.

12. Optional step for making gravy: Strain the juices in the pot through a strainer.Add the filtered stock pan Add another 1-2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder. Boil, stirring frequently, until gravy thickens. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to taste.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 6 ounces turkey meat, or 1/16 of the entire recipe

Nutritional information uses 96 ounces of turkey meat because this is equivalent to the amount of meat you would get from a 16-pound turkey.

nutrient content

Amount per serving. Serving sizes in recipe instructions above.

Calories 236

fat 12.8 grams

protein 27 grams

total carbohydrates 2.8 grams

net carbs 2.4 grams

fiber 0.4g

sugar 0.4g

Nutritional facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you’re getting different results?Please check out our nutrition policy.

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