Turkey in an oven bag: cooking times
An oven bag (roasting bag) traps the steam, so a turkey cooks faster and stays moist without basting: about 2 to 2½ hours for a 12–16 lb (5.5–7 kg) turkey at 350°F (180°C), 30 to 60 minutes less than in an open tin.
Oven bag turkey cooking times
These are the times oven bag makers give, at 350°F, 180°C (160°C fan), for a turkey-size bag. If your bag’s packet gives different times, follow the packet.
| Turkey weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 lb (3.5–5.5 kg) | 1 h 30 min to 2 h | 2 h to 2 h 30 min |
| 12–16 lb (5.5–7 kg) | 2 h to 2 h 30 min | 2 h 30 min to 3 h |
| 16–20 lb (7–9 kg) | 2 h 30 min to 3 h | 3 h to 3 h 30 min |
| 20–24 lb (9–11 kg) | 3 h to 3 h 30 min | 3 h 30 min to 4 h |
How to cook a turkey in an oven bag
- Heat the oven to 350°F, 180°C (160°C fan).
- Shake a tablespoon of flour around inside the bag so it doesn’t burst, and put it in a roasting tin at least 5 cm (2 inches) deep.
- Add sliced onion, carrot and celery for the gravy, then the turkey on top. Brush the turkey with oil or butter and season.
- Close the bag with its tie and cut six 1 cm (½ inch) slits in the top so steam escapes.
- Tuck the bag in so it can’t touch the oven walls, shelves or grill element while it puffs up.
The skin browns in the bag but doesn’t go crisp. For crisp skin, cut the bag open for the last 20–30 minutes and turn the oven up to 220°C (200°C fan), 425°F.
How to tell it’s done
Push a thermometer through the bag into the thickest part of the thigh: it’s done at 74°C (165°F). Rest it for 20–30 minutes, then cut the bag open carefully, away from you: the steam is very hot. Pour the juices from the bag into a pan for the gravy.
Questions
How long does a 14 lb turkey take in an oven bag?
About 2 to 2½ hours unstuffed at 350°F (180°C), or 2½ to 3 hours stuffed.
Does a turkey cook faster in an oven bag?
Yes, by about 30 to 60 minutes for a typical turkey, because the trapped steam carries the heat in. Check it with a thermometer rather than relying on the time.
Do you need to baste a turkey in an oven bag?
No. The bag keeps the juices in, so there’s nothing to baste and no need to open the oven.
Is it safe to cook a turkey in an oven bag?
Yes, as long as the bag is an oven bag (not a plastic food bag), the oven is no hotter than the packet allows (usually 200°C / 400°F), and the bag can’t touch the heating element.
Times are a guide: ovens and joints vary. Always check meat with a thermometer before serving. FeastFlow’s times come from British Turkey, AHDB and USDA guidance, last checked 11 November 2026.