How to Cook a Moist, Flavorful Turkey in a Brown Paper Bag

Whether it’s your first go at cooking Thanksgiving dinner or you’re a seasoned pro, the turkey takes center stage on the table, so it must come out perfect!

Cooking a juicy, tender turkey can be tricky, but Southern cooks have long held a secret weapon – the humble brown paper bag. Roasting your holiday bird in a brown grocery bag locks in moisture and infuses flavor for a foolproof, delicious turkey every time.

This simple technique has been passed down for generations and continues to be a cherished tradition across the South The steamy environment inside the bag keeps the turkey incredibly moist and tender. Meanwhile, the outside still crisps up nicely for beautifully burnished, golden skin It’s an easy, fuss-free way to get a perfect turkey!

Benefits of Cooking Turkey in a Brown Bag

There are several key reasons this unconventional roasting method yields such stellar results

  • Moisture retention – The closed bag creates a mini steam environment that keeps the turkey very moist and tender.

  • Self-basting – Turkey juices can’t evaporate out of the sealed bag. As they render, they drip over the turkey, effectively self-basting it.

  • Crispy skin – The paper allows enough air circulation for crispy, browned skin.

  • Foolproof – Once it’s in the bag, you don’t need to worry about basting or tenting foil.

  • Rich flavor – Turkey braises in its own juices, becoming infused with rich, meaty flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking turkey in a brown bag is simple. Here’s how:

Ingredients

  • Whole turkey (10-16 lbs)
  • Butter, olive oil or bacon drippings
  • Dry seasoning rub
  • Flavorings for the cavity (onion, lemon, garlic, herbs)

Instructions

  1. Thaw and dry the turkey thoroughly, inside and out.

  2. Prep the bag by removing handles, greasing it with butter or drippings.

  3. Generously coat the turkey skin with softened butter or oil. Apply your favorite dry rub all over.

  4. Stuff the cavity with lemon, onion, garlic, herbs if desired.

  5. Place turkey in the bag breast-side up. Fold the open end over and tie it closed securely.

  6. Put the bag in a roasting pan, seam-side up. Roast at 325°F for 15-20 minutes per pound until 165°F in thighs.

  7. Let turkey rest 15+ minutes before slicing and serving.

That’s all there is to it! The bag does most of the work for delicious, foolproof turkey.

Tips and Variations

While the basic method stays the same, generations of Southern cooks have developed many tips and tweaks:

  • Baste turkey skin with mayo or olive oil before seasoning for extra moisture and browning.

  • Use bacon drippings instead of butter to grease the bag for delicious smoky flavor.

  • Rub seasoned butter under the skin over the breast for added moisture and flavor.

  • Place butter inside the bag on top of turkey for basting.

  • Allow 15-30 extra minutes cook time for a stuffed turkey.

  • Double wrap very large turkeys (18+ lbs) in two bags for even cooking.

  • Add broth or wine to further baste and flavor the turkey.

  • Open the bag a bit towards the end if you want extra crispy skin.

Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect method! The paper bag technique is very forgiving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use a paper bag?

Yes, it’s completely safe if basic food safety rules are followed like fully thawing the turkey and cooking to 165°F.

What if the bag rips or burns during roasting?

No worries – the turkey will still turn out delicious. Just wrap any problem areas with a second bag if desired.

How do I get crispy skin?

The dry oven heat will crisp the skin. Rubbing it with butter, oil or mayo helps. Open the bag slightly towards the end for extra crispness.

What’s the best way to tie the bag?

Twine works well for easy untying later. Staples make a very secure closure but take care when removing them after cooking.

Can I make gravy from the pan drippings?

Absolutely! The flavorful juices are ideal for making rich, delicious gravy.

Make Delicious Turkey This Holiday

Roasting turkey in a simple brown paper bag is a time-tested Southern tradition that delivers mouthwateringly moist, tender and flavorful holiday birds. The steamy environment and self-basting action eliminates any chance of a dry turkey. It’s an easy, foolproof method for perfect turkey every time.

This year, embrace this wonderful technique to relax and enjoy your holiday cooking. Your family will rave about your incredibly juicy, delicious turkey roasted to tender perfection in this easy Southern style. A brown bag roasted turkey is sure to become your new favorite holiday tradition!

Simple Brown Bag Turkey Roasting Tips

  • Thaw turkey completely before cooking
  • Dry turkey inside and out with paper towels
  • Generously butter the turkey skin and bag interior
  • Apply a flavorful dry seasoning rub to the skin
  • Stuff cavity with lemons, onions, garlic, herbs for extra flavor
  • Tie paper bag securely shut with twine or tape
  • Place bag seam-side up in roasting pan
  • Roast approximately 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F
  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F in thighs
  • Let turkey rest 15+ minutes before slicing

Common Turkey Roasting Pitfalls to Avoid

Take steps to avoid these common turkey roasting problems:

  • Not fully thawing the turkey – can lead to uneven cooking

  • Overstuffing the cavity – prevents even heat circulation

  • Forgetting to remove the bag of giblets – results in melting plastic

  • Cooking at too high a temperature – dries out the meat

  • Failing to tie the bag tightly – juices and moisture will escape

  • Neglecting to make sure thighs reach 165°F – results in unsafe consumption

  • Skipping the resting period – juices will spill out when carved

With some simple preparation, your brown bag turkey will be the star of your holiday table!

how to cook a turkey in a brown bag

COOKING A TURKEY IN AN OVEN BAG

Cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in a Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag is a fantastic way to ensure that your turkey stays moist and succulent while also turning out a golden light brown. Plus, with an oven bag, you wont even have to worry about scrubbing the roasting pan. Just follow these easy steps to roast a turkey in an oven bag for your next dinner.

  • Reynolds Kitchens® Turkey Oven Bag
  • One 8 to 24-pound turkey
  • 1 tablespoon flour (wheat, rice, potato, nut or gluten-free flour, corn starch, corn meal, or matzo meal can be used as a substitute for flour)
  • Ties that come in the oven bag package
  • Large oven-safe roasting pan or disposable aluminum roasting pan
  • Seasonings
  • Meat thermometer

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Place a turkey-size oven bag into a large roasting pan that is at least two inches deep. Sprinkle one tablespoon of flour into the bag and shake to distribute (you may use wheat, rice, potato, nut or gluten-free flour, corn starch, corn meal, or matzo meal instead of flour). Then, add sliced vegetables, depending on the recipe. Turn down the ends of the bag several times to help hold it open while you place the turkey inside.

Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. If you like to stuff your turkey, place the stuffing into the cavity. Be careful not to overstuff. Pat the skin dry, brush the turkey with oil or melted butter, and season as desired. Not sure what to use for seasoning? Try this herb-roasted turkey recipe. Place turkey in the oven bag atop your sliced vegetables.

Close the bag with the nylon tie found in the turkey oven bag carton. It’s usually folded inside the cooking chart.

Make 6 half-inch slits in the top of the bag to allow steam to escape as the turkey cooks. Tuck the corners of the bag in the pan and trim or fold down the extra bag beyond the tie to ensure it doesn’t touch the oven or heating elements when cooking.

Place the turkey on the lowest rack of your oven to roast. There’s no need to baste or attend to the turkey. Look at the cooking chart included in the carton for the estimated time for cooking a turkey in an oven bag. To check if the turkey is done cooking, measure the temperature through one of the cut slits on the top of the bag. Place a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey thigh, not touching the bone.

Let the turkey stand in the bag for 15 minutes after removing it from the oven. Then, cut the top of the bag open with cooking shears or a paring knife.

To remove the turkey from the bag, insert serving forks in the neck and chest cavities of the turkey. Then, transfer your turkey to a serving dish for dinner. Use the juices to make flavorful gravy to pair with the moist turkey.

TURKEY OVEN BAG COOKING TIMES

Add 1 tablespoon of flour to coat the bag when preparing your turkey oven bag. Do not add any water (unless directed).

OVEN BAG TURKEY COOKING TIMES Until internal temp reaches 165°F in the breast and thigh in several places, not touching the bone (If you prefer a well-done turkey with no pink juices, cook until 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone)
Turkey Weight Cooking Time @ 350°F
Whole Turkey, unstuffed
10-12 pounds 1 1/2 to 2 hours
12-16 pounds 2 to 2 1/4 hours
16-20 pounds 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours
20-24 pounds 2 1/2 to 3 hours
Whole Turkey, stuffed (stuffing temperature should be 165°F)
10-12 pounds 2 to 2 1/2 hours
12-16 pounds 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours
16-20 pounds 2 3/4 to 3 hours
20-24 pounds 3 to 3 1/2 hours
Turkey Breast, bone-in
8-12 pounds 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours
Turkey Breast, boneless
8-12 pounds 2 1/2 to 3 hours
Wild Turkey
Same as whole turkey, but if skinless, add 1/4 cup water and brush with extra oil or butter.

If you want all the juicy details about how to cook a turkey in an oven bag, and our oven bag cooking times, peek at our oven bag cooking charts for turkey, chicken, beef, pork, and more!

How to make a perfect Turkey using a brown bag

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