Overnight Turkey (Easy, Delicious, and Always Moist!)
Keep in mind there are many ways to cook a turkey
There is no one right way to cook a turkey and I’m not saying my method is better than any others. Feel free to post under this and tell me how y’all do it, it would be a great reference for everyone who reads this! This overnight turkey method is awful easy and your entire bird will be moist and juicy, even the white meat! Whats 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 gravies for the big meal!
Jut make sure that it’s cooked through before you serve. Breast should be 165 degrees F and thighs 170-175 degrees F.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Gratefully,
Stacey Lynn and The Southern Plate Family
Ingredients
- 1 Turkey thawed
- 1 Tablespoon Flour
- 1 stick butter
- 1 oven bag large enough for turkey to fit in
- Roaster pan or other large pan with depth to it so broth won't overflow - it always seeps out of the bag anyway
Instructions
- Look in cavity of the turkey and make sure there are not 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 oven bag, shut it and shake it. Place turkey breast side down in oven bag (oven bag should 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 bag and cut a few small slits in the top.
- Turn oven on 250 and cook overnight. I don't put mine in until ten thirty or eleven and I get it out by six in the morning. You want to cook it about seven 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 turkey and place on platter. Spoon a the left over turkey juices or broth over if you like. Cover with cling wrap or foil and refrigerate until time for your meal and reheat on low in the oven until warm and toasty before the meal. How long will depend on how thick you slice the turkey.
Notes
Nutrition
You may also enjoy these turkey and Thanksgiving recipes:
Great Left Over Turkey Recipes
Ultimate Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Dishes!
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!