If youre looking to include more lean protein in your diet, you might be one of the many of us wondering how to cook ground turkey. This ground meat can be used in many of the same recipes that ground beef is used for, and it may be a more nutritious alternative.
Cooking ground turkey is similar to ground beef, but because it has less fat, you run the risk of your meat drying out during cooking. Luckily, there are a few tried-and-true tips that will ensure a delicious result. We spoke to a chef for the most helpful secrets for how to cook ground turkey on the stove, as well as tips if youre planning to use your oven.
Ground turkey has become an increasingly popular alternative to ground beef. It’s lean versatile, and can be a healthy substitution in recipes like burgers, meatballs and chili. However, proper cooking is essential to avoid foodborne illness from bacteria like salmonella. So how do you know when ground turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat?
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover
- Why reaching the right internal temperature matters
- Checking doneness with a meat thermometer
- Visual signs of completion
- Cook times by preparation method
- How to tell if raw turkey is spoiled
- FAQs on cooking ground turkey safely
Why Getting the Temperature Right Matters
The USDA recommends cooking ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F to destroy any potential bacteria present. Below this, salmonella and other pathogens can survive.
With whole cuts of beef or pork, bacteria exist on the exterior surfaces. But with ground meats, surface bacteria gets distributed throughout the meat during grinding. This makes thorough cooking critical. Reaching 165°F eliminates illness-causing bacteria. So accurately checking the final temperature confirms safety.
Checking Doneness with a Meat Thermometer
Using an instant read thermometer is the best way to determine when ground turkey reaches a safe 165°F.
Simply insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meat, being careful not to touch any pans or grates to avoid false high readings.
When the thermometer displays 165°F or above, the turkey can be safely eaten. If not, continue cooking until the thermometer confirms the minimum safe temperature.
Visual Signs of Doneness
While thermometer temperature is most reliable, here are some visible indications that ground turkey is fully cooked:
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Color Change: Raw turkey is pinkish beige. When cooked, it turns white or light brown throughout. Any remaining pink areas mean it needs more time.
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Firming Up: Properly cooked turkey has an opaque, firm texture. Undercooked meat will still look glossy and feel mushy.
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Clear Juices: Cooked turkey releases clear juices, not pink.
Use visual tests as a guide, but always double check with a thermometer for safety.
Cook Times by Preparation Method
As a general guideline, ground turkey takes 12-15 minutes to fully cook to 165°F in a pan on the stove. Here are estimated cook times by preparation method:
- Pan frying: 13-16 minutes
- Turkey burgers: 5-6 minutes per side
- Meatballs: 15-20 minutes total
- Meatloaf: 45-50 minutes at 375°F
Always verify final temperature with a thermometer before serving. Cook times vary depending on thickness and recipe. Let large pieces like meatloaf rest 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
How to Tell if Raw Turkey is Bad
Inspect raw turkey before cooking. Signs of spoilage include:
- Foul, sour odor
- Sticky, slimy texture
- Grayish color
- Discolored spots
If in doubt, discard it. Cooking spoiled turkey can still cause foodborne illness.
FAQs on Cooking Ground Turkey Safely
Can ground turkey be a little pink when fully cooked?
It can retain a slight pink tint when safely cooked to 165°F. Always verify temperature instead of relying on color alone.
Does cooked ground turkey smell bad?
It should have a meaty aroma, not a rancid or sulfur-like smell. Foul odors mean it has spoiled.
Can you eat ground turkey medium rare?
No, poultry must reach 165°F minimum for safety. Never purposely undercook ground turkey.
What color should cooked turkey be?
Light brown or white throughout. Any remaining translucent pink areas mean it’s underdone.
How can you tell undercooked turkey?
Check temperature with a meat thermometer. Below 165°F indicates it needs more cooking time.
Key Takeaways
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Cook ground turkey to 165°F checked with a meat thermometer.
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Look for an opaque, firm texture when visually inspecting doneness.
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Allow 10-15 minutes cook time for ground turkey to fully cook in a pan.
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Let large pieces like meatloaf rest before cutting for juices to absorb.
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Discard any turkey with an off smell or slimy texture.
Following proper handling and cooking guidelines helps ensure ground turkey reaches the correct internal temperature for food safety. Use a thermometer and cook turkey thoroughly every time.
How to Cook Ground Turkey on the Stove
- 1 pound ground turkey
- Large skillet
- Spatula or cooking spoon
- Cooking oil, such as olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Other seasonings, to taste
- Chopped veggies of choice, such as onions and peppers (optional)
“Stovetop is the best way to cook ground turkey, with a bit of oil, vegetables and seasoning,” says Chef Snoop Dillard of Escobar. He recommends you start with a pound of ground turkey and cook it on the stovetop with chopped yellow onions and red, yellow and green peppers.
As for how long to cook ground turkey on the stove, youll want to do it for about 13 to 18 minutes. Youll know its done when the meat is no longer pink, or it reaches a temperature of 165 F.
Here, we share Dillards step-by-step method for cooking ground turkey on the stove.
- Heat a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- When the oil starts to glisten, add the ground turkey to the skillet, sauteing and breaking it apart with a spatula or spoon. Cook, turning, for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Season the ground turkey with any seasonings you like. You can try salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. Be aware that many commercially prepared seasonings are high in sodium.
- Add in any vegetables youre using at this time, such as half a chopped onion or some chopped peppers.
- Combine all the ingredients and let it cook for 10 to 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally until the meat is no longer pink or the temperature reaches 165 F.
- Add the turkey crumbles to chili, tacos, meat sauce or minestrone soup, or use them for the base for sloppy joes.
To make ground turkey sloppy joes, follow the recipe above and add cooked, chopped onions, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and a dash of hot sauce to the cooking pan, and heat all the ingredients thoroughly before serving it over hamburger buns.
Another choice is to make your own patties and cook turkey burgers on the stove.
What Are the Benefits of Ground Turkey?
Ground turkey is an extremely versatile food that fits well into so many recipes. It typically costs less than ground beef in grocery stores, so it can be a budget-friendly menu option.
Ground turkey is also high in protein, B vitamins and amino acids — nutrients your body needs to function. And if youre trying to limit red meat in your diet, ground turkey is a fine replacement for beef in recipes like hamburgers, tacos and meat sauce.
Ground beef is high in saturated fat, and if you have a heart condition such as heart disease or high cholesterol, it may be useful to cut down, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). You can buy lean ground turkey that is made up of 95 percent lean meat and 5 percent fat, and turkey that is 99 percent lean and 1 percent fat. Always check your food labels for specific nutrition info.