Woman’s World - November 2024 | Read full Article
Thanksgiving can be daunting for those who love a good turkey centerpiece but dread the prep. If you’re short on time, hosting a smaller crowd, or just don’t want to wrangle a whole bird this year, Diestel’s Cook-in-Bag Holiday Turkey Breast Roast might be the solution. It’s pre-brined, perfectly seasoned and ready to pop into the oven right in its bag—no prep, no fuss. So, I put this shortcut centerpiece to the test to see if it lives up to its promise of juicy, tender and flavorful turkey that’s just as good as homemade. Here’s the scoop on whether this cook-in-bag turkey can hold its own at Thanksgiving.
About the Diestel Family Ranch
Diestel Family Ranch, founded in 1949 in California’s Sierra Foothills, is a family-owned turkey producer celebrated for its commitment to sustainable and humane farming practices. That’s right—they treat their turkeys well, and that means you get high-quality, flavorful turkey products. The ranch uses organic farming techniques, prioritizing natural habitats for birds, regenerative feed sourcing and other eco-friendly processes, which have set it apart in the poultry industry.
A stress-free (and mess-free) cook-in-bag turkey
Diestel’s Holiday Cook-in-Bag Turkey Breast Roast ($47.95) was made for anyone looking to simplify holiday cooking. This 2.75-pound turkey breast arrives in a neat little box, pre-brined and seasoned, so all you have to do is thaw it, pop it in the oven, and let it work its magic. Plus, it comes in a BPA-free, compostable cooking bag, so it’s eco-friendly and convenient. No basting, flipping or major cleanup required. It makes a great choice for anyone who’d rather spend their holiday mingling with guests instead of babysitting the oven.
What’s inside the cook-in-bag turkey?
This turkey breast has a seasoning blend of sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic, sage, rosemary and a hint of chili pepper and black pepper for subtle warmth. The result is a turkey with a familiar, comforting flavor that doesn’t need much to shine. Raised without antibiotics and verified non-GMO, Diestel’s turkey is as wholesome as it is tasty. It serves around six to eight people, making it ideal for smaller Thanksgiving gatherings or even a cozy Friendsgiving.
A simple cooking process
For best results, you’ll want to thaw the turkey fully in the fridge before cooking. From there, you preheat the oven to 350°F, place the still-sealed turkey bag in a roasting pan, and cut a small vent to let the bag expand as it cooks. The entire roasting process takes just about 1.5 hours for a thawed turkey, with an added 15 minutes to rest, during which the meat soaks up those savory juices. Once you remove the netting, the turkey is ready to carve and serve—complete with its own drippings to drizzle over for extra flavor.
My review of Diestel’s cook-in-bag turkey
Now, does Diestel’s cook-in-bag turkey breast roast really deliver on its promise? My answer is yes. I knew it would be just the right amount of turkey for my upcoming Friendsgiving with my two closest friends. Plus, my apartment doesn’t provide a ton of room for ample cooking space, i.e. a whole entire turkey. I don’t have any experience cooking a whole bird, so this was the perfect compromise.
For the most part, the instructions were easy to follow. I thawed the turkey in the fridge two days before cooking. Since I didn’t have a roasting pan, I used a large dutch oven to hold the turkey, which worked just as well. I also didn’t have a meat thermometer, so I had to rely on the suggested cook time. While the box said approximately an hour, it definitely ended up being closer to the 90 minutes per their website. But that’s small potatoes.
While I can’t say this beats my father’s deep-fried turkey, I was thrilled to discover that this turkey breast was everything promised. The meat wasn’t dry at all—tender and juicy, with just the right balance of saltiness and herby flavors. It tasted so good with my homemade cranberry sauce spooned on top. But really, it could go with any Thanksgiving side, and it didn’t need any extra seasoning. One of the best parts? The extra drippings from the cooking bag. While you can easily pour it over as a “gravy,” I saved mine in the fridge for future dishes.
Final thoughts
Overall, Diestel’s Cook-in-Bag Holiday Turkey Breast Roast might just be the answer to a stress-free Thanksgiving for smaller gatherings. As a traditional turkey lover, I liked how closely this pre-seasoned roast mimicked the flavor and texture of a full Thanksgiving turkey. Plus, I had barely any cleanup after dinner and a lot of leftovers for sandwiches. For anyone who loves the flavor of traditional turkey, this shortcut roast does the trick.
