How to Cook a Turkey in an Oven Bag

With Thanksgiving being one of the premiere holidays where families gather around a table a new host is always found wonder just how to cook a turkey. There are several ways that one can tackle this issue. None are any better than the last and, in the end, it is personal choice. One favorite way to cook a turkey is by cooking it in an oven bag. This method is preferred by many because it creates a moist and delicate bird and it is self-basting. Another perk of cooking a turkey in a bag is that it gets done quicker because you are not constantly opening the oven to check on it which lets out the heat. This article will show you effortlessly how to cook a turkey in an oven bag.

Step 1 - Preparing the Bird

When working with poultry you should always run water over it then pat it dry with a paper towel. This prevents possible salmonella from occurring. Also always remember to stick your hand inside the turkey to remove the baggie that contains the gizzards and other turkey innards. Failure to remove the bag can cause it to melt which will ruin the turkey and possibly make someone quite ill. Rub the turkey with butter or olive oil then season it well.

Step 2 - Preparing to Roast

With your bird dressed and ready to be roasted you can now fill the roasting pan with water to about halfway up the sides. Be sure the pan riser is in place as the intense heat from the oven can melt certain bags. Preheat the oven to the temperature that you normally roast your turkey.

Step 3 - Roasting the Turkey in an Oven Bag

When the oven has come to temperature you can finally start roasting your turkey. Carefully place the dressed turkey inside the bag, close it with the ties provided, and place on the roasting pan riser. Cover the roasting pan with the lid but make sure that the exhaust holes are closed so that the steam stays inside the pan helping to heat the bird. Place the roasting pan inside the oven on the center oven rack. Close the oven door and set the timer for three hours. During this time try your best to not open the oven door. When you roast a turkey in the bag it bastes itself and cooks relatively quickly as it would if being roasted in a convection oven.

Step 4 - Removing the Turkey

Before you remove the turkey from the oven you should insert the thermometer into the breast section of the turkey. The bird is fully cooked once the temperature is 180 to 185 degrees. If the temperature is right you may turn off the oven and remove the roasting pan from the oven. Keep the lid on and let the bird rest for 15-minutes. This allows the juices to settle to keep the meat moist. Cut the bag and remove the turkey to a serving plate.