A Better Way To Cook Turkey? The Bag

We've always used the Reynolds bags ever since I can remember. Makes the turkey wonderful!

CaroG87

I haven't used the bags, but they seem like a good idea for easy clean up. I like to brine my turkey and then cook it upside down. The breast stays moist and the dark meat cooks beautifully. It's not a pretty bird for presentation but you can't beat the moist meat. And a meat thermometer is a must!

Katy

I feel famous! I was quoted on Snack Girl! ;)

I will admit, I only started using oven bags a few years ago. I don't stuff my turkey (or chicken) so this just made cooking so much easier.

I'll also sing the praises of the oven bag for spiral sliced hams. They can come out dry, but not when you cook them in a bag!

It does mean that you're not basting as much with the oven bag either (easier on the cook!) and I think you get more juices to make gravy with. Snack Girl may obsess about turkey, I obsess about gravy. Mmmmmmmm......

Gail

Yes the bags make the turkey juicy. I have used them for many years for turkey, ham, and whole chickens. Not only that they make clean a whole lot easier. Nothing sticking to the pan.

Niosha

Better than that are the Perdue chicken breasts that come ready to pop into the oven. Your hands never touch chicken. You just make a one inch slit in the bag and put it in a pan. Super moist chicken is done in 90 minutes. I buy 6 at a time and pop them in the freezer. Cook frozen for 2 and 1/2 hours. The whole roasters work the same way. I will never touch raw chicken again.

Barbara Beauchemin

Have you ever heard of Spatch Cocking a bird. My husband makes it likes this and it is wonderful. It takes a little extra work and muscle but the outcome is amazing. Here is a definition I got off a website:

Basically, spatchcocking is a method of preparing the chicken for cooking. The method involves removal of the backbone from tail to neck so that the bird can be opened out flat (also referred to as butterflying). This method results in a shorter cooking time. It also gives easier access to the cavity and exterior of the chicken for seasoning purposes.

Kim

I've been cooking everything in the bags for years. When I cook a turkey or ham or any kind of roast I mix an envelope of dry gravy mix (McCormick's, et cetera) with a cup of water and pour it right over the turkey, so no need to add flour. If turkey small, I add carrots, potatoes, onions, mushrooms (whatever will fit) in the bag. I've never had a complaint...

Claire

I've cooked many turkeys, some upside down [by mistake], some dried out, some toooo dark, then some pretty good ones until 2003 when I happened upon Wolfgang Puck's brined method, which made me a brining convert! However, because of SG's posts and all her loyal readers' comments, this year for the first time I'm trying the Glad bag method [ordering a Murray's organic chicken breast]. I'm debating over to brine or not to brine. Any words of wisdom will be very much appreciated. :)

Barb L

I am Canadian, and I say - absolutely no worries about your Thanksgiving, many of the ideas you shared I would use for Christmas time, so please - carry on!

Mari-Jean Nachtigall

I always cook 2 turkey's each year. I have been using the reynold's bag for years. It is such a time saver. I add onions in the turkey cavity and mix a bunch of seasonings in a small Dixie cup. After putting alittle olive oil on the bird, I then tuck my hand under the plastic and sprinkle the seasoning all over the bird. You can also rub some in, then sprinkle some more. When it is done cooking it does look nice and brown because of the seasonings. My family raves about this method. I would never go back to tenting and basting, NEVER!

Diane

I always use the turkey bag and even converted my mother in law to this method. I usually host two family gatherings each with an 18+ lb bird. Luckily my husband usually helps "load" the bird into the bag.

Holly

KIM: I did see Alton Brown butterfly a turkey and cook it directly on the oven rack above roasting veggies. It looked wonderful, but I was worried about losing all of those wonderful juices for my gravy and noodles. BARB: I have never brined and the turkey is juicy and delicious. If you go that route, let us know how it works!

Holly

My job as a child was scrubbing the roasting pan - and it had to be scrubbed until it looked like new. I never use a roasting pan - double up good quality foil pans and they work like a charm. Even though the bags are considered food safe, I wonder what is actually leaching into the turkey? My answer to moist turkey? Once done, cover the entire pan with foil and drape it with a bath towel for at least 30 minutes, and as long as an hour. That helps the juices settle. My turkeys are never dry.

Susan

I'm so glad you posted on this. I would love an easy clean up, fool proof moist turkey but I am also concerned about cooking in plastic/nylon. Does anyone have some information or references about this?

Elissa

My boyfriend always brines the Turkey for at least 24 hrs.(and he doesn't stop with the turkey)you will love the moist, juicy meat! Happy Holidays all!

sandie

The bag is awesome. I cooked a turkey once with my mom and we used the bag. My mom also injected it with a paste she made from various herbs, garlic, oil and water.

The bird was flavorful, meat was falling off the bones and the breasts were juicy.

I could use the bags for when i roast chickens but instead i flip them from breast to back every 20 minutes till done.

Deborah

We could talk turkey everyday from now until Thanksgiving, it does something good for my soul. Plus I love reading everyone's comments, receipes & suggestions. Although I get stuck trying to figure out which receipe & which method to try. I've actually only have ONE whole turkey. That was 2 yrs ago & it was....well fantastic to look at & to eat. But for the life of me I can't remember exactly what I did. I had been sick with pnuemonia for 3 months, was drugged up & probably delirious. How that turkey came out so delicious will always be a mystery. I even took a picture so I could rememeber it, I was so proud. Lol. Anyways please keep the turkey talk coming, along with all the other yummies to go with it. How about cranberry sauce receipes? Oh one other thing. SnackGirl, your new pi cture up in the corner is wonderful. You are a perfect example of a healthy & happy woman.

Jessica

I love using the oven bags. Turkey comes out moist and clean-up is a breeze.

FYI......Reynolds also makes a liner for your crockpot!

Jami

Cooking bags are a must!

Brine away and still use a bag, it's amazing! I do this too.

Now I'm hungry!!! I may have to double cook and make a turkey for home this weekend (since we go to a friend's for TG and I rarely have leftovers)

Bridge

I love the bag for turkey or for pot roast cause it keeps the protein so moist. I think its because the marinade turns into a steam sauna for the protein so it a gentle type of roasting process. So yummy. This year its just me, so I have a brined Chicken that I got from Trader Joes and I'm using my Nuwave oven.

Tabby

I have used reynolds turkey bags forever just like my Mom. I'm single and have had no problems doing this on my own. The turkey turns out marvelous. I love Thanksgiving and the smells of food cooking. I cook lots of food for Thanksgiving and share with co-workers for lunch; plus leftovers are fabulous. I highly recommend the cooking bags.

Sivieann

Why add flour to the bag? I don't get that. Is it for the gravy you make at the end?

Marie

A brown paper bag works well also

Kathy

The main problem with a brown paper bag is the turkey cooks in a convection oven atmosphere within the plastic bag, which is what creates the amazing amount of juice. The paper at is just a cover, of sorts.

Diane

I have been using the Reynolds Turkey Turkey Bags for a number of years. I do add about a cup of water to the bag and have never added the flour and the turkey always comes out moist and tender. Did I mention that I also stuff the turkey....the stuffing and turkey always come out delicious.

Just be sure to allow enough time for baking and allowing to sit before carving the turkey. great way to cook turkey, beef or chicken .

Susan

Could I still use a bag as I roast a Butterball turkey?

Joyce L'Heureux

Could you use the bag to heat up a spiral ham?

Judith mccormack

I have used the roasting bags for years.This is the only way to cook the Turkeys. I cook Turkey breast only. The family i cook for never eat the dark meat. I thaw the turkeys breasts in the fridge about three days before turkey day.The day before Thanksgiving I chop up some garlic,and put it under the turkey skin,then i put them in the roasting bags and rub olive oil on them before i close up the bags. Then on Thanksgiving morning they are ready for the oven.Happy Thanksgiving to All.

Kelley

Another Canadian here (although expat, living in the States) - we've already had our Thanksgiving. And actually, since I'm in the US, we're looking forward to second (American) Thanksgiving. Yay for more Thanksgivings!

Margaret

I have a GREAT cranberry sauce recipe if anyone needs one.

I am going to try the bag this year but I have a question... Has anyone stuffed their bird first? Bread crumbs, onion and celery is what I'd like to do. Thoughts? I keep reading about just the veggies but I'd like to make my stuffing this way. Thank you.

Danyah

MINE DIDNT COME WITH A TIE....WHAT CAN I USE TO TIE IT WITH

BARBARA

I am cooking 4. 7 lb turkey breasts equalling 28 lbs can I put 2 breasts in each bag? And cook in the same oven? Also how long would I bake them?

Joanne

My sis and I brined turkeys two times. Both times the turkey was very moist and good for the meal; however, the leftover meat was so salty it had to be thrown out. We did brine it overnight, perhaps too long to leave it in a brine?

lindalou

No one mentioned putting the bird in a brown paper bag (no, it does NOT catch on fire). I put butter all over it, put it in the oven..and leave til,done.

Carol Rothlisberger

I use the blue granite ware roasting pan with matching lid. Crumple foil on bottom, put oiled turkey in - breast side up - with thermometer, and take lid off last 15 minutes to brown up the top. No plastic, no worries. :-)

Ginger

I sent my husband grocery shopping last time and asked him to pick me up slow cooker liners but he bought oven bags instead. I've never used them but since I have them, I will definitely try the turkey that way this year!

Hollie

My daughter has been using the Reynolds Bag to make her Brisket for years and swears no one makes a better one than she does!

Carol

Has anyone ever cooked a frozen turkey breast roast in an oven bag?

Lori

I cooked my 19 pound tirkey as specified timewise. The breast and legs loomed BEAUTIFUL but when I cut the lehs, whose temp measured 180, it was bloody. The juices were not clear at all.

kathy

LOVE the cooking bags.

I add fresh herbs and other things, like a sectioned orange, a sliced apple, fresh garlic, some onion, etc. What's left in the bag after removing the turkey breast is well cooked and immensely flavorful and it all goes in the blender or food processor to blend into the gravy.

Matthew

When I was a kid, roasting turkey was a big production, it went into the oven early in the day and the whole family was involved in the basting process which seemed endless. The end result was always worth it, but I just KNEW that someone would come up with an easier way by the time I was installed in a kitchen of my own. I was the first in the family to discover and use a roasting bag. Thankfully I discovered the product the first year It was my turn to prepare the family feast. Even my mom had to admit that the bird was done to a turn! The skin wasn't quite as crispy but the meat was as tender and moist as a dewdrop. I've never cooked my bird any other way...and I'm still alive to tell the tale! I often use the bag method for cooking post roast with the same tasty and succulent results. I save even more time and effort by using the truly delicious Knoor's gravy mixes

to top off the plate, and make the best stuffing ever in one of my crock pots...chock full of the delicious additions that my family love best. Even my mashed potatoes are readied up

to 2 days ahead then popped into the oven to rewarm while the turkey is still resting. Have

You ever read the cookbook titled "You've Got it Made"? It's my bible come feast days!

I also set my table the night before. I'm able to be a hostess...not just the coolest! Happy Thanksgivinf! Merry Christmas!

Frances

We have used the Reynolds' bags,since forever. Our turkey has always come out perfect. Cleaning up is super easy. People should try this bags once. Then they'll get hooked on making the the juiciest turkey ever. Actually we also make a turkey during the summer time. Sometimes we even make a third one. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Make certain items ahead of time so you won't go crazy. Thanksgiving is not hard,I took over the turkey and stuffing, and the pies as a teen. I owe my late mother a big thank you for allowing me to help her during cooking time. Now I'm 51 and have 2 sons. Even though they are boyz,I'm still teaching them to cook. My mother taught my brothers like she taught us girls. Enjoy your holiday, keep safe.

Grasiela Martinez

Love that I found these comments. Will be trying a oven bag for the first time this Thanksgiving. I am just doing a whole turkey breast with bone. These comments make me feel better about trying this method. Gobble Gobble

Phyllis Offer

Can I use convection oven with bag method? Is this neccessary?

Terri Brunsman

When I use a Reynolds Browning bag can I still put a butter soaked cheese cloth over the turkey?

amypersinger