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!
Is the turkey breast supposed to turn out colorless (as in butt white) like mine did? But it was done per internal temp, not juicy either.
What size turkey do you usually get?
This sounds great and similar to what I’ve used before!! Definitely will be using this tomorrow!!!
DISREGARD MY LAST POST FOR “H-E-L-P”. THE POST I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS RIGHT HERE BY MERCEDITH LEWIS ON 11/17/2012, EVEN THOUGH I LOOKED HERE BEFORE AND MISSED IT. AND IT WAS HER, NOT YOU, THAT WENT OUT TO DINNER (AT WAFFLE HOUSE).
Oh I’m so glad you found it!!!!
Sandy, Im in suspense—-what did the person say? Glad you found it
Linda, to answer your question on what the woman said at the restaurant to help the women that were in a conundrum over baking a turkey. A stranger over heard them and said, “Hunny, I’m gonna tell you how to cook that turkey.” [such authority I thought]. She tells them to put a stick of butter in its cavity. Pour 5 cups boiling water around the bird. With lid on bake one hour at 500 degrees F. Turn the oven off and DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR 5-6 hours. Then turn the oven back on at 350 degrees F for one hour. That’s it.
It was in a post by Mercedith Lewis on 11/12/2012 here on southernplate.
P.S. I forgot to add that you rub outside of bird with butter and salt ant pepper it.
H-E-L-P. honest to god i’ve searched ’til I no longer can for your blog about going out to dinner on thanksgiving where you ran into a stranger who overheard you talk about baking turkeys. That stranger told you “Honey, let me tell you how to bake a turkey” [paraphrased closely]. I wrote down what she told you and can’t find it now. I saw her wisdom of experience in the words. Is there any way you could revive that post or direct me to it? Pretty please with sugar.
Hey Sandy! I’m afraid you may have me confused with someone else. This is the method I use for oven turkey and I have two other recipes I use for the crock pot but that is how I’ve always made a turkey. I will try to find time to search around on google today and see if I can find what you are looking for 🙂
Hey Christy,
I just wanted to thank you for this recipe! I lived in Madison for over 20 years and my friend, and yours, Staci K told me about your blog. I have made my turkey this way for at least 6 years. We moved to the Smoky mountain area and this will be our 2nd thanksgiving here. I will be using your method as always on Wednesday night. It is always delicious and moist! I love having things planned and out of the way so I can enjoy our family as much as possible. On a side note, I found out my grandmother used this method all of her years and I didn’t even know it. Thanks again and hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Kris W
Hi Kris!! Thank you so much, I am so glad you are enjoying the turkey and I LOVE that your grandmother used the same recipe!!! I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
CHRISTY, IT’S LATE AND I’M WORN OUT AND WAS TOO TIRED TO WRITE OUT A RECIPE BY A REVIEWER FOR FOOL-PROOF GIBLET GRAVY, SO I AND PASTED A ‘PRINT SCREEN’ TO ‘PAINT’ FOR MY OWN PERSONAL USE ONLY. I HOPE THATS OKAY. IF NOT, I’LL DELETE IT. PLEASE REPLY, TY.
No problem! I’m just glad you made it work for you! Have a great week!