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 have never made a turkey, but I need to. One day everyone will be coming here for Thanksgiving. Better start practicing now!
What size Turkey do you use? I have a 20 pounder and wondering if 7 hours would be enough..thx
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…
Hey hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving!! Thanks for the recipe. Next time I will have to try this.:) Thanks:)
Sharon:)
This sounds like a really simple idea – I love this!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Happy Thanksgiving! I tried brining my turkey this year, but this overnight turkey sounds good too! I might have to try it this way next year.
http://theadventuresofheather.blogspot.com/
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.
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.