Cooking turkey overnight in an oven bag is all about decreasing stress on the big day. This easy overnight turkey recipe ensures that in the morning you have the most mouthwateringly moist and tender turkey meat imaginable.
Today I’m delighted to share my overnight turkey recipe with y’all. Many of us are getting our holiday menu together or at least starting to think (stress) about it. So I thought y’all might be interested in this quick post about how you can make a turkey overnight to save you some time (and stress).
Cooking turkey overnight in an oven bag is a Thanksgiving dinner game-changer, let me tell you! This overnight turkey method is awfully easy and your entire bird will be moist, tender, and juicy, even the white meat! What’s more, the bird is done first thing when you wake up so you can use that super-rich broth and some of the meat to put into your dressing and turkey gravy for the big meal.
The instructions couldn’t be easier, y’all. Just remove the turkey giblets, pop your turkey in an oven bag with the flour, shove the butter you-know-where, and then roast the turkey overnight. I put mine in at about 10:30/11 at night and then take it out 7 hours later. That’s how easy cooking turkey overnight is. Then on the day, you can use your oven to cook all those delicious Thanksgiving side dishes 😉.
A friendly reminder
Before we dive into the recipe, I just wanna say that there’s no one right way to cook a turkey. I’m not saying my method is better than any others. Clearly, because there are a lot of different turkey recipes on Southern Plate. Like turkey on the grill, slow cooker turkey, and deep-fried turkey. This is just another method to add to your repertoire!
Recipe Ingredients
- Turkey
- Flour
- Butter
- You’ll also need an oven bag that’ll fit your turkey and a roaster pan so the turkey broth doesn’t overflow!
How to Cook Turkey Overnight in an Oven Bag
Look in the turkey cavity and make sure there are no turkey giblets (bags of anything). If there are, remove those.
Grandmama always saves hers for giblet gravy. You do what your heart tells ya to do.
Put one tablespoon of flour in the oven bag, then shut it and shake it.
Place the turkey breast side down in the oven bag (the oven bag should now be sitting in your roasting pan).
Breast side down is key here for moist white meat. It may look funny but trust us!
Stick that butter where the sun don’t shine (up the little gobbler’s rear, sorry gobbler).
Seal the bag and cut a few small slits in the top.
Turn the oven to 250 and cook overnight.
I don’t put mine in until 10:30/11 and then take it out at about 6 in the morning. You want to cook it for about 7 hours but no more.
When you wake up, your entire house will smell like turkey and the broth will be SO RICH and wonderful!
At this stage, I recommend always using a thermometer to check the temp of the meat. 165 degrees F for the breast and 170 degrees F for the legs.
Slice the turkey and place it on a platter. Spoon the leftover turkey juices or broth over if you like.
Cover with cling wrap or foil and refrigerate until it’s time to serve.
Reheat it on low in the oven until warm and toasty. How long will depend on how thick you slice the turkey.
Storage
- Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- You can also freeze turkey leftovers for up to 3 months, either in an airtight container or double-wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Is it safe to cook a turkey overnight?
Yes, cooking turkey overnight is safe and highly recommended. Slow-roasting the turkey on low allows the meat to cook without releasing all the moisture. This equals the juiciest, most tender turkey imaginable.
What’s the lowest temperature you can cook a turkey overnight?
You really don’t want to go any lower than 250 degrees and you want to make sure the turkey reaches the desired temperatures above before serving.
How do you cook a turkey the night before and keep it moist?
The key to cooking turkey overnight and keeping it moist is to cook it in the oven bag. This traps the moisture inside.
How long does it take to cook a turkey overnight?
It takes 7 hours to cook a turkey overnight if you follow this recipe. When cooking turkey overnight, I also use the same cooking time whether it’s a 13lb turkey or a 20lb turkey.
Is it safe to leave a turkey in cold water overnight?
No, it’s not safe to leave a turkey to thaw in a sink of cold water overnight. You want to be awake to monitor its progress and then put it in the fridge once it’s thawed.
How do you serve an overnight turkey?
Here are some Thanksgiving side dish suggestions:
- Crockpot Cornbread Dressing
- Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese (Southern Plate favorite)
- Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
- Freezer Mashed Potatoes
- Fresh Green Beans
- 3 Bean Salad With Dressing
- Easy Creamed Corn
- Candied Carrots Recipe
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Roasted Asparagus
- Easy Turkey Gravy
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Ingredients
- 1 thawed turkey
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 stick butter
Instructions
- Look in the turkey cavity and make sure there are no giblets (bags of anything). If there are, remove those. Grandmama always saves hers for giblet gravy. You do what your heart tells ya to do.1 thawed turkey
- Put one tablespoon of flour in the oven bag, then shut it and shake it. Place the turkey breast side down in the oven bag (the oven bag should now be sitting in your roasting pan). Breast side down is key here for moist white meat. It may look funny but trust us!1 tablespoon flour, 1 thawed turkey
- Stick that butter where the sun don't shine (up the little gobbler's rear, sorry gobbler).1 stick butter
- Seal the bag and cut a few small slits in the top.
- Turn the oven to 250 and cook overnight. I don't put mine in until 10:30/11 and then take it out at about 6 in the morning. You want to cook it for about 7 hours but no more. When you wake up, your entire house will smell like turkey and the broth will be SO RICH and wonderful!
- Slice the turkey and place it on a platter. Spoon the leftover turkey juices or broth over if you like. Cover with cling wrap or foil and refrigerate until it's time to serve. Reheat it on low in the oven until warm and toasty. How long will depend on how thick you slice the turkey.
Notes
Nutrition
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Gratefully,
Stacey Lynn and The Southern Plate Family
I’m only making a 13lb turkey can I still use this method with that weight and if so how long?
Christy,
I have a question about the size of the turkey used in this recipe. Do you cook it for less time if you have a 10-13 lb turkey vs a 20+lb turkey? I didnt know if a smaller turkey will dry out.
Thanks!!
I cook the same amount of time if I’m doing it overnight. If you are doing it during the day you could certain reduce the time by an hour or so but since it is in a bag it won’t dry out.
Just completed on Heritage Turkey. Perfect instructions!! Thanks. Wish I could post a pic for you 😉
I am so glad you liked it Stacia!!! If you follow me on Facebook I would love if you posted the picture there so I can see 🙂
I was so excited to find a recipe for cooking a turkey in an oven bag overnight. I did this recipe and it worked out terrific! When I took out the turkey and opened the bag, the turkey fell apart. It was so easy to get it off the bone. This is now my go to way of doing turkeys in the future. I’m going to try to do this method with a chicken too.
I am so glad you liked it Linda. I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!