Cooking Turkey Overnight in Oven Bag

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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.

Cooking turkey overnight in an oven bag.

Cooking turkey overnight in an oven bag is a Thanksgiving dinner game-changer. 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. 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. Then on the day, you can use your oven to cook all those delicious Thanksgiving side dishes.

Before we dive into the recipe, I just wanna say that there’s no one right way to cook a turkey. This is just another method to add to your repertoire! 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! 

What You Need To Cook A Turkey Overnight

  • 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!

Helpful Kitchen Tools

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.

How To Store A Cooked Turkey

  • 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

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:

Can we tempt you with these helpful recipes too?

southern plate overnight turkey (how to deep fry a turkey)

Overnight Turkey

Cooking turkey overnight in an oven bag is so easy and ensures that in the morning you have the most mouthwateringly moist and tender turkey.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: turkey
Servings: 4
Calories: 292kcal

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

Always use a thermometer to check the temp of the meat. 165 degrees F for the breast and 170 degrees F for the legs.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratefully,

Stacey Lynn and The Southern Plate Family

thanksgiving quote

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90 Comments

  1. I want to try this but I have no bag. Can I use foil and do it the same way?
    Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

  2. I just wrap the turkey in aluminum foil, stuff the inside with lemon, butter, rosemary, onion and garlic cloves.. then set a neighbors house on fire and toss it in….

    Giblet gravy is awesome. I usually boil the giblets with chicken stock, celery, onions then slice up an egg as well. Thicken it with a cold water slurry of flour and water. Easy peasy. If I want the gravy and I have a chicken without giblets. I boil chicken liver and gizzards instead, the same way as above. Comes out the same.

  3. Hey!! I do make giblet gravy…only umm..I don’t use the giblets! LOL I love a boiled egg in mine as well, just the whites like you said!

    As far as size goes, this will work for just about any size bird. We’ve done it for up to fifteen pounds, beyond that you might want to give it another hour or so but won’t take much more! Just a good slow cookin’ way of makin’ your turkey!
    now i’m off to make thanksgiving pies!!!
    Gratefully,
    Christy

    1. My husband always cooked the dang bird and made the noodles. I should of paid attention to what he did but I was busy doing all the rest. I’m the Baker too.
      I know he never used a stick of butter inside the bird. But I tryed it plus put the bird on a rack above the bottom of the pan.
      Now to my question…..
      All the butter is in the bottom of the pan and so are those awful giblets / neck. Ick
      He always cleanedthe neck meat for the gravey . Isn’t that a lot of butter for making gravy???? I bought jar gravy also. I’m 72 and have lost my touch for cooking since he did it for so many yrs. ( passed away 2 yrs march)..
      Plus we had a gas stovery and food seems to taste better than electric??.. ( I think )
      It’s a 12 lbs my family is eating there 1st meal before coming to my house so not like their going to be hungry. I didn’t buy the chicken broth this yr it seemed like it was bad in the past ? Any suggestions. ??
      Thanks…. pap made the BEST noodles and I can’t make them taste like his. I forgot carrots to. I still work part time and am raising a now 3yr old grandson. My excuse for forgetting half of the groceries. :/
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

  4. My husband and I also roast our turkey breast down and we wonder why you hardly ever hear it recommended by the “official” turkey advisers. Oh well, we know it works!

    I have a question about your recipe: What size turkey are you using for these instructions? I’m guessing the time in the oven would vary for a smaller or larger bird.

    Thanks so much and have a GREAT Thanksgiving!

  5. I am obsessed with cooking my turkey in a turkey bag! It’s the best way imho. However, I get to spend many TG with my family and they do not use this method. It takes a lot of gravy to swallow it…That’s all I can say. ;0>

    I have always made my roast chicken breast side down…I guess now’s the time to try it with the turkey!

    Thanks and Have a great TG!

  6. Christy, I use this method – just no bag. At the very end I flip the bird (no pun intended) and let it brown under the broiler. 🙂

    Now….do you make giblet gravy? I make it and put a sliced up boiled egg (white only – just my preference) in it. Makes good gravy, yo!

    1. FYI, the chopped up hard boiled egg is to signify good luck and thanks. My Grandmother and Mother never served holiday gravy (Thanksgiving and Christmas) without the egg in the giblet gravy. Of course, Zorkler was hatched from an egg so it makes it kinda cannibalistic.

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