To cook a turkey in an oven bag, add a tablespoon of flour to a turkey-size bag, shake it, put the unstuffed turkey inside, and cut about six slits in the top of the bag. Set the bag in a roasting pan at least 2 inches deep and roast at 350°F according to the bag’s time chart, until the thickest breast, innermost thigh and innermost wing reach 165°F.
Reynolds turkey-size bag times at 350°F
| Turkey weight | Bag-chart time (unstuffed) |
|---|---|
| 10 to 12 pounds, unstuffed | 1½ to 2 hours |
| 12 to 16 pounds, unstuffed | 2 to 2¼ hours |
| 16 to 20 pounds, unstuffed | 2¼ to 2½ hours |
| 20 to 24 pounds, unstuffed | 2½ to 3 hours |
| Doneness test | 165°F in the breast, innermost thigh and innermost wing |
These times come from the Reynolds oven-bags cooking chart for turkey-size bags (19 by 23½ inches) at 350°F. The USDA says to follow the bag manufacturer’s instructions and still cook turkey to 165°F. Bag times often run shorter than a conventional open roast, so start checking early. For a conventional time chart, see how long to cook a turkey.
How to use the bag
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put 1 tablespoon of flour in the bag and shake to coat — the flour helps keep the bag from bursting. Slip in the thawed, unstuffed turkey, tie the bag, and cut about six small slits in the top so steam can escape. Place the bag in a pan at least 2 inches deep; do not use a broiler pan with slots. Do not let the bag touch the oven walls, racks or heating element.
When a thermometer through a slit in the bag reads 165°F in the thickest breast, innermost thigh and innermost wing, take the pan out and rest the turkey about 20 minutes before you open the bag and carve. The safe roasting guide and the Thanksgiving guide cover seasoning and sides. If you want stuffing, bake it in a dish to 165°F rather than packing it into a bagged bird.
Frequently asked questions
Do oven bags make a turkey cook faster?
Often yes. Follow the bag chart at 350°F, then confirm 165°F with a thermometer, because bag times can run shorter than an open roast.
What size oven bag do I need?
A turkey-size bag, typically 19 by 23½ inches, is sized for a whole turkey in the 8-to-24-pound range on the Reynolds chart. Use a pan at least 2 inches deep under the bag.
Can I stuff a turkey in an oven bag?
It is safer to bake stuffing in a casserole to 165°F. If you do stuff the bird, the stuffing center must also reach 165°F, and the roast will take longer.
Helpful kitchen tools
- Reynolds Turkey Size Oven Bags, 19 by 23-1/2 Inches — Turkey-size bags made for whole birds; add flour, cut slits, and use a deep pan.
- Granite Ware 19-Inch Oval Roaster Set — A deep roasting pan to sit under the bag.
- TempPro TP19H 1-Second Digital Meat Thermometer — Check 165°F through a slit in the bag.
- OXO Good Grips Oven Thermometer — Confirms the oven is at the 350°F the bag chart uses.
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