I always have a bunch of ground turkey in the freezer because it’s a lean meat that can be used instead of ground beef. These simple ways to defrost ground turkey ensure I will keep my family safe. If you arent sure of the best methods for how to thaw ground turkey, follow this handy guide.
You don’t want to be in the kitchen getting ready to make dinner and be confused about how to thaw ground turkey because the meat is frozen. Sometimes we forget to take the meat out of the freezer, and that’s when we all fail. Ground turkey can be defrosted in the fridge, but it can take up to 24 hours, and we need the meat faster sometimes. Depending on what you plan to cook, you can either thaw turkey meat in the microwave or in cold water. Read more about these two ways to defrost turkey meat below.
For the health and safety of your family, it is imperative to follow safe defrosting methods. Keep reading to learn about three safe and effective ways to defrost ground turkey. We’ll show you all the best ways to quickly make dinner.
Hot dogs can also be frozen and defrosted. If youd like to learn how to freeze and defrost hot dogs, go HERE. Also learn the proper way to defrost frozen shrimp.
A lot of sources say that ground turkey will thaw in 8 to 12 hours in the fridge, but I’ve found that it takes 12 to 24 hours. Planning ahead is key on this one!.
When time is short and you need to defrost ground turkey quickly, the microwave is the best way to do it. This method is quick, but the microwave can begin to cook portions of the meat. If you want to brown the meat in a skillet, this method works best. If you want to make patties or loaves, go with a different method.
Ground turkey is a healthy, versatile meat that can be used in everything from burgers to chili. It’s lean, budget-friendly, and delicious. The only catch is that it needs to be thawed properly before cooking. Thawing ground turkey in the microwave is a quick and easy way to defrost.
Why Use the Microwave?
The microwave thaws ground turkey faster than any other method. It can safely thaw a pound of ground turkey in just 5-8 minutes. This super speedy method is perfect for those “oh no I forgot to thaw the turkey!” moments.
Microwaving also defrosts the meat more evenly than sitting it out at room temperature. With the microwave, you don’t end up with the outside thawed while the middle is still frozen solid. Even thawing means you can be confident the meat is ready to cook.
Step-By-Step Microwave Thawing
Follow these simple steps for safely thawing ground turkey in the microwave:
1. Remove Packaging
Take the ground turkey out of its original plastic wrap or Styrofoam packaging. The packaging can melt in the microwave, which is no good
Place the frozen meat directly on a microwave-safe plate. Choose a plate larger than the meat so any juices can drip down into the plate.
2. Microwave in Short Bursts
Microwave the turkey in short bursts to thaw it gently and evenly:
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1 pound: Microwave on 50% power in 1-2 minute intervals, checking between rounds.
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2 pounds: Start with 3-4 minutes on 50% power then check progress.
Microwaving too long straight through can start cooking the meat prematurely. Take it slow.
3. Drain and Blot Fat
As the ground turkey thaws, liquid will pool in the plate. Drain this into the sink before cooking.
Blot away any excess fat or ice crystals with a paper towel. The turkey is ready to be cooked when no ice crystals remain.
4. Cook Immediately
Cook the thawed ground turkey right away. Browning it in a skillet or baking it into meatballs are tasty options.
The microwave can begin cooking the outer layers of the meat, so it shouldn’t sit thawed for long. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
Microwave Power Setting
For best results, use the “defrost” setting if your microwave has one. This alternates defrosting and standing time.
If your microwave lacks a defrost setting, use 50% power. This gentler microwave thawing prevents cooked spots.
Always start with 50% power and short 1-2 minute bursts. Adjust time up if needed for larger amounts of turkey.
Let It Rest
Microwaved meat may be slightly warm after thawing. Let it rest 5 minutes before handling so juices set.
Resting helps prevent the meat from feeling mushy when browned or shaped into patties after thawing.
Safety Tips
Proper handling prevents bacteria growth. Follow these tips when thawing and cooking:
- Refrigerate immediately if not using thawed ground turkey right away
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
- Don’t refreeze after thawing
- When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk eating turkey that smells or looks off.
Thawing Time Chart
Use this handy chart as a thawing time guide:
| Amount | Thawing Time |
|---|---|
| 1 pound | 5-7 minutes |
| 1.5 pounds | 7-10 minutes |
| 2 pounds | 10-12 minutes |
Defrosting times may vary based on your microwave wattage. Check the turkey often and stop microwaving once thawed.
Quick Defrosting Alternatives
If you’re in a real time crunch, here are two other fast thawing options:
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Cold Water: Submerge sealed ground turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed.
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Cook Frozen: Cook frozen ground turkey immediately by adding extra cooking time. Works great for soups, chili, casseroles.
The microwave method is still best for evenly thawing meat to be browned or shaped into patties. But in a pinch, cold water or cooking frozen are handy alternatives.
Make a Delicious Meal
With thawed ground turkey on hand, the possibilities are endless. Fire up your favorite turkey burger recipe, meaty pasta sauce, or stuffed peppers. You’ve got this!
Follow the simple steps above for microwave thawing success. In just minutes, you’ll have thawed, safe-to-eat ground turkey ready for any recipe.
Best Practices of Thawing Ground Meat / Dos and Don’ts
Thawing raw meat should always be done safely. There are bacteria that can make us sick that can grow in raw meat. Safe handling will make sure that your dinner doesn’t make your family sick. Here are some key things to remember when you defrost ground turkey.
- Never thaw ground turkey at room temperature.
- A smaller piece of ground turkey will defrost faster. A pound of ground turkey should be put in a plastic bag and rolled out flat with a rolling pin before it is frozen. This will make more surface area, which will speed up the thawing process.
- Avoid the danger zone. A lot of bacteria grow quickly on meat that has been defrosted between 40 and 140 degrees F. As fast as possible, you want to move the meat through this range.
- Once thawed, ground turkey meat should not be re-frozen.
- Ground turkey should be cooked immediately after defrosting.
- Before putting frozen ground turkey in the microwave to thaw, take it out of the plastic bag or package.
- To use the cold water method, the ground meat needs to be completely sealed in a vacuum-sealed package or a plastic bag.
- Never use hot water or warm when defrosting in water. It’s okay to use cold tap water, but every 10 minutes you should change it.
- Ground turkey shouldn’t be slimy after it’s been thawed. Growing bacteria, which can make you sick, means that this has happened. Meat that is slimy or smells bad should be thrown away.
In the end, safety should be your top priority when cooking for your family. It might be easy to just throw the package of meat on the counter to thaw it faster, but you don’t want your family to get sick. These three options offer the safest way to thaw ground turkey.
Thawing In Cold Water
It takes longer to use cold water than a microwave, but the results are better and more even. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to thaw a pound of turkey, depending on how much you need to go and how thick the meat is in the package.
- Put the turkey in a large bowl of cold water with the lid on.
- If you need to, you can put a coffee mug on top of the package to keep it in the cold water.
- Every 10 minutes, until the ground turkey meat is no longer frozen, change the water.
It is safe to cook slightly frozen turkey, but you will need to alter the cooking times. Always cook turkey meat to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F.
According to USDA food safety standards, meat should not be defrosted at room temperature. The safest method and most effective way is to defrost meat in the fridge. Alternative methods like microwave defrosting and cold water defrosting are also effective thawing methods.
The same methods for thawing ground turkey can be used to safely defrost ground beef. I often have to thaw ground beef to make my pan fried meatball recipe or Stuffed Pepper Soup.
Quickly Defrost Ground Turkey using Simple Methods – BLOGGINGOODFOOD
FAQ
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