A turkey roasting in the oven can fill your home with wonderful smells and create a cozy atmosphere. Turkey, the center of attention at Thanksgiving, is a meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Baking a turkey in an oven bag helps to keep the bird extra moist and cuts down on the cooking time. With the use of a bag, cleanup is a cinch as well.
Step 1
Clean out the inside of the turkey, removing the giblets and the neck, if they are there. Save them to flavor broth or gravy.
Step 2
Rinse the turkey, inside and out, under cool running water, and pat it dry with paper towels.
Step 3
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4
Brush the bird with butter or olive oil, enough to just coat.
Step 5
Rub your choice of fresh or dried herbs and spices all over the outside of the turkey. Gently lift the skin with your fingers, and rub seasonings under there as well.
Step 6
Stuff your turkey, if desired.
Step 7
Lightly coat the inside of the oven bag with flour.
Step 8
Place the turkey into the oven bag and into a roasting pan.
Step 9
Close the bag with a twist tie, and poke a few holes in it for venting.
Step 10
Bake an unstuffed turkey for 12 to 15 minutes per 1 lb.; add about 30 total minutes for a stuffed turkey. Use a meat thermometer to determine when the turkey is done; the internal temperature of the thigh must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit for the turkey to be healthy to eat.
Step 11
Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving or removing the stuffing.
Tips and Warnings
- If you do not wish to stuff your turkey the traditional way, with bread or meat stuffing, try adding cut fruit or vegetables to the cavity to impart more flavor while roasting. Use apples, oranges, onions, celery or carrots. Place fresh herbs under the turkey skin for additional flavor while roasting. Add cut fruit or vegetables to the bag for more flavor, such as apples, oranges, onions, celery or carrots. Brine the turkey before roasting to add moisture and flavor.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry. Never eat undercooked poultry; doing so will increase your risk of food-borne illness. The USDA recommends not stuffing poultry before cooking.
Things You'll Need
- Paper towels
- Butter or olive oil
- Herbs and spices
- Flour
- Oven bag
- Roasting pan
- Meat thermometer
Member Comments