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.

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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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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

  2. My turkey came out very moist (including the breast) just from doing an overnight brine and without turning it breast side down, but I will have to try this recipe out one day. I did Alton Brown’s turkey recipe…

    Reply

  6. When I make turkey for Christmas I also cook it breast side down, and I don’t turn it over at the end. I know some people like to so that the breast is browned, but I find that with the long cooking time it’s always brown enough.

    I also like to put some pieces of butter in between the meat and skin. I stuff the cavity with herbs and onions, and vegetables like celery and carrot. I prepare it on Christmas Eve night and tie it up all with the string, so that in the morning it’s ready to put in the oven.

    Reply

  7. My mom used to cook her turkey this way except no bag. It was always great. I use a bag but don’t turn the turkey upside down because the bag usually keeps it moist. I can see why using both methods would really make the turkey moist – I just may do that tonight.

    I am in total agreement with you about the giblets – my cats get them! We don’t like eggs in the gravy either – just nice plain turkey gravy for us.

    Reply

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