Cooking frozen meat in the Instant Pot is my favorite cooking hack. Seriously, how many times have you forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer?.
I have to say that cooking frozen ground turkey in the Instant Pot quickly became my favorite way to make it. The pressure the Instant Pot creates infuses the seasoning right into the cooked meat. Less mess, less time, less planning, and more flavor.
Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy meat that can be used in place of ground beef in many recipes It’s leaner than ground beef and still provides plenty of protein Many people keep ground turkey in their freezer to have it on hand whenever a recipe calls for it, But what if you go to cook that frozen ground turkey and realize you don’t have time to properly thaw it? Can you cook frozen ground turkey safely?
The short answer is yes, you can cook frozen ground turkey, but it requires a bit more time and technique to ensure it turns out perfectly cooked and safe to eat. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking frozen ground turkey.
Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Ground Turkey?
Cooking frozen meat can be done safely as long as you take a few extra precautions. According to the USDA, it is safe to cook frozen meat in the oven or on the stovetop as you normally would fresh meat. However, you need to increase the cooking time to account for the meat being frozen.
As a general rule, frozen meat takes about 1.5 times longer to cook than fresh So if your recipe calls for cooking ground turkey for 15 minutes, increase that to around 22-23 minutes when working with frozen meat This extended cook time gives the center of the turkey time to thaw and come up to a safe minimum internal temperature.
It’s also important you don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking frozen ground turkey. Too much meat packed in together inhibits proper cooking. Cook frozen ground turkey in smaller batches to ensure even cooking.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Ground Turkey
Follow these tips to achieve perfect results cooking frozen ground turkey:
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Use a meat thermometer – This takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. Cook frozen ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Brown in batches – Cook no more than 1 pound frozen ground turkey at a time. Smaller batches will brown better.
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Keep an eye on it – Check frequently and break up any parts that begin thawing and cooking faster than others.
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Add a little liquid – Use broth, water, or wine to promote even cooking and prevent sticking. Don’t drown the meat, just add a couple tablespoons.
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Increase cook time – Extend cooking time by about 50% over fresh when working with frozen ground turkey.
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Rest before serving – Let cooked frozen ground turkey rest 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Frozen Ground Turkey
Follow these simple steps for perfect results:
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Preheat your skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Use a skillet that gives you plenty of surface area for browning.
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Add 1 pound or less of frozen ground turkey to the dry skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as you add it.
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Let the turkey sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to brown on one side. Resist the urge to stir it frequently at this point.
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Use your spoon to break up any thawed portions of meat and turn the pieces over.
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Continue cooking 5-7 minutes, breaking up partially cooked pieces, until no longer pink.
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Add 2-3 tablespoons of broth, water, or wine and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
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Reduce heat to medium, cover, and continue cooking 10-15 minutes until turkey reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
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Remove from heat, uncover, and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Always remember to wash any utensils, pans, and plates that touched raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination. Cooked frozen ground turkey can be used in all your favorite recipes like chili, tacos, pasta sauce, casseroles, meatballs, and more!
Helpful Tips for Freezing and Thawing Ground Turkey
Cooking frozen ground turkey is convenient but for best flavor and texture, thawing it in the refrigerator first is ideal. Here are some tips:
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Separate ground turkey into 1 pound portions before freezing so you can thaw just what you need.
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Use freezer bags or airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.
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Maximize freezer life by freezing ground turkey within 1-2 days of purchasing.
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Thaw frozen ground turkey in the fridge overnight, allowing 24 hours per 1 pound.
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You can quick thaw in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
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Thaw only what you plan to cook immediately and don’t refreeze thawed meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you brown frozen ground turkey?
Yes, you can brown frozen ground turkey but only if cooking in smaller batches. Overcrowding the pan inhibits proper browning.
What happens if you cook frozen turkey too long?
It will dry out. Frozen meat runs the risk of overcooking since it takes longer. Use a meat thermometer and don’t cook longer than needed to reach 165°F.
Can you pressure cook frozen ground turkey?
Absolutely! A pressure cooker speeds up cook time so it can handle frozen ground turkey no problem. Increase cook time by 50%.
Is it better to bake or fry frozen ground turkey?
Baking gives you the most even cooking results. Pan frying runs the risk of uneven cooking but can still be done with the right technique.
Should you drain fat from ground turkey before cooking?
There’s no need to drain since ground turkey is very lean, with only about 10% fat content. Draining would just remove moisture and flavor.
Cooking frozen ground turkey is simple and safe with the proper precautions. Armed with these tips and techniques, you can now confidently cook delicious meals using turkey straight from the freezer. Next time your recipe calls for ground meat, don’t worry if you’ve only got frozen turkey on hand. Just increase the cook time and use your meat thermometer for perfect results.
Instant Pot Turkey with Italian Seasonings (for spaghetti or other pasta)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
How to cook frozen ground turkey in the Instant Pot:
You’ll need about 40 minutes for this recipe. These directions work for an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or any other brand of electric pressure cooker.
- Put the ground turkey that has been frozen in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add 1/2 cup of cold water (or stock) to the bottom of the pot. Season the meat with any herbs or spices you like. This recipe calls for a little less liquid than usual because the frozen turkey will also make some liquid.
- Put the lid back on and turn the pressure valve so that it is sealed. On high pressure, set the timer for 15 minutes for 1 pound of meat or 20 minutes for 2 pounds of meat.
- When the time is up, quickly let the pressure out and take the lid off. If you want quick release, you’ll have to move the valve on top of the pot by hand from Sealing to Venting. Steam will come out.
- At this point, your ground meat will be thawed but not fully cooked. When you press your cooking tool into the meat for the first time, be careful because water will come out. It will help if you slowly press your tool into the meat.
- Turn your pot to Sauté (high). While the meat is still cooking, use a spatula to break it up into small pieces. Make sure all the seasonings are mixed in well, and keep cooking until most of the liquid is gone.
- When your ground turkey is frozen, you can add tomato sauce to it before cooking a dish that needs it, like chili. If you put tomato sauce on the bottom of the pot under the meat, it will burn. Don’t leave out the liquid when you add the tomato sauce; you need it too.
- I think the seasonings get into the meat a little more this way, so you might want to add more seasonings to your meat after it’s been sautéed.
- While this method might not be faster than letting the meat thaw in the sink, I love that I can leave pressure cooking to do its own thing for a while.
- It’s quick to cook the ground turkey this way, but it’s not the same as letting it loosen up in the fridge. You can’t use this meat to make turkey burgers or meatballs after it’s been defrosted because it cooks the turkey at the same time.
- Don’t have enough ground turkey in the freezer? These tips for making ground beef last longer will also work for you!
Did you know that all of the recipes on My Crazy Good Life work well with Weight Watchers and the 21 Day Fix/Ultimate Portion Fix?
- When you use extra-lean ground turkey, each 4-ounce serving has 0 Blue Plan Points, 1 Green Plan Point, 0 Purple Plan Points, and 2023 Points: 0.
- For the 21-Day Fix or the Ultimate Portion Fix, a serving of 3/4 cup is equal to 1 red container.
- 2B%20Mindset:%20Additionally,%20this%20meat,%20load%20your%20plate%20with%20FFC%20for%20a%20full%20breakfast. Fill your plate with vegetables and FFC for a full lunch, or add vegetables for a full dinner.
