How to Cook the Most Tender Turkey Ever: 5 Easy Steps to Turkey Heaven

What's the secret to a moist and tender turkey? You'll be very surprised - and after you taste it, you'll want it year after year. Here's how:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Whole turkey
• Turkey roasting pan
• Oven bag (a.k.a. turkey roasting bag)

1. At your local grocery store, purchase whole turkey. Then look for a unique product called oven bags, probably located in the aluminum foil and plastic wrap aisle. It may surprise you to find out what exactly you will do with these nylon bags.

2. When Thanksgiving Day rolls around, remove one oven bag from the box and slide entire turkey into bag following the directions on the box. You may think the bag will simply melt in that hot oven; but rest assured, it is perfectly heat-resistant.

3. Place wrapped turkey in roasting pan and cook according to directions for your size turkey.

4. When turkey is done, allow it to cool in the bag for approximately 20 minutes before slicing it. This allows meat to retain juices, making it even more tender.

5. Remove turkey from oven bag, slice, and serve. Watch your guests swoon in amazement at your tender turkey. Better still, no messy pan to scrub!

Tips & Warnings

• Season your turkey with salt and pepper or a season-all before placing it in the bag.
• No need for basting; the steam created inside the bag does all the work for you.
• Ask for help in sliding turkey into oven bag: one person to hold the bag and the other for the turkey.
• Make homemade gravy from turkey juices retained by the oven bag.
• Fresh (not frozen) turkey recommended.
• Let the turkey cool before opening the oven bag or you'll run the risk of steam burn.
• Always wash hands and countertops after handling raw poultry to avoid bacterial contamination.

Resources

• Reynolds® Oven Bags

[onepoint]

on 12/13/2008 I always use the turkey bags, I'll attest to the fact that they are amazing, and so easy. It really helps minimalize the cleanup too.