Gathering around a sumptuously roasted turkey is a hallmark of festive celebrations, uniting family and friends. To elevate this classic dish, try roasting your turkey in a plastic bag; it's a contemporary technique that seals in the bird's juices, yielding an exceptionally moist and succulent turkey. This method is a nod to tradition with a modern, savvy twist, ensuring a crowd-pleasing tender feast.
Now, you might wonder, why opt for a plastic bag when roasting turkey?
The benefits of using a plastic oven bag for your turkey are numerous:
Moisture is Locked In: The sealed environment of the oven bag keeps the turkey's moisture intact, preventing it from drying out and maintaining its succulence.
Quicker Cooking Time: The moist heat within the bag can reduce overall cooking time, freeing up your schedule.
Simplified Cleanup: With all the drippings contained, the oven bag makes post-cooking cleanup a breeze—a real boon during the holiday bustle.
Uniform Browning: Heat circulation within the bag ensures your turkey gets that desirable, evenly-browned exterior.
Flavor-Infused Veggies: Vegetables cooked in the bag with the turkey soak up its savory juices, enhancing their taste.
Less Basting Needed: The bag's moisture-retentive properties mean less basting and more time for you to enjoy with guests.
This roast turkey, encased in its flavor-locking bag, is the perfect companion to holiday favorites like creamy mashed potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce, aromatic stuffing, and roasted veggies. Round out your feast with a crisp salad, coleslaw, and some fresh, warm bread to mop up the delicious juices. This method promises a feast that's both scrumptious and memorable.
Recipe for Roasted Turkey in a Plastic Bag
Ingredients:
1 whole turkey (12-24 pounds), fully thawed
1 oven-safe plastic bag
2/3 cup butter, softened
Season with salt and pepper
2 tablespoons of a blend of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage
4 minced garlic cloves
1 roughly chopped white onion
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 roughly chopped carrots
1 tablespoon of flour
Pro Tip: Allow one day of thawing in the fridge for every 5 pounds of your turkey.
Instructions:
Heat your oven to 350°F and adjust the rack to just below the center.
Combine the butter with garlic, salt, and pepper.
Prep the turkey by removing neck and giblets, and securing the wings.
Massage the turkey with the herbed butter mix.
Dust the inside of the oven bag with flour and add the turkey, along with the onion, carrots, and celery.
Seal the bag, pierce a few slits to let steam escape, and place it in a roasting pan.
Roasting times vary by size: 2-2.5 hours for 12-15 lbs, 2.5-3 hours for 15-20 lbs, and 3-3.5 hours for 20-24 lbs turkeys, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F.
Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes after cooking, then carefully remove it from the bag and place it on a serving platter.
Indulge in the rich flavors of this specially roasted turkey, a dish that promises to be the centerpiece of a joyful and flavorful holiday gathering. Enjoy!