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 an incredibly versatile and healthy meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. It’s leaner than beef or pork, making it a smart choice for those looking to reduce fat and calories in their diet. And when paired with the convenience of a crockpot, cooking up tasty turkey meals is easier than ever!
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook frozen ground turkey in the crockpot, from thawing and prepping to seasoning and cooking. You’ll learn pro tips for maximizing flavor and preventing dryness so you can enjoy juicy, delicious ground turkey every time.
Why Cook Turkey in the Crockpot?
There are several great reasons to use your crockpot when cooking ground turkey
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Convenience The crockpot does the work for you! Just add ingredients, set it, and let it slowly cook the turkey to tender perfection.
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Flavor development: The long cooking time allows flavors to meld and turkey to become infused with spices and aromatics.
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Juicy meat: The moist environment helps prevent the lean turkey from drying out.
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Easy meal prep: Make a big batch in the crockpot then portion out for quick lunches and dinners all week.
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Hands-off cooking: Once you set the crockpot, you can walk away. No need to constantly monitor the stove.
With the simplicity of a crockpot, you can enjoy well-seasoned, juicy ground turkey any night of the week!
Tips for Cooking Frozen Ground Turkey in the Crockpot
Follow these tips and tricks for successfully cooking frozen ground turkey in the crockpot:
1. Partially thaw the turkey
- For food safety, don’t put large frozen pieces of meat directly into the crockpot.
- Thaw just until you can break up large pieces, about an hour or so.
- This allows turkey to cook more evenly.
2. Break up turkey and browned if desired
- Use a fork to break up any large chunks of thawed ground turkey.
- For deeper flavor, brown the turkey in a skillet before crockpot cooking.
3. Add flavorful ingredients
- Aromatics like onions, garlic, carrots add great flavor.
- use fresh or dried herbs and spices like oregano, basil, cumin etc.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, broth, wine etc for extra moisture.
4. Don’t overload crockpot
- For even cooking, leave at least 1/2 inch from lid.
- Overstuffing can lead to unsafe cooking.
5. Cook on low setting
- The low setting produces gentler heat to properly cook turkey.
- High can cause overcooking on edges while inside is underdone.
6. Use a thermometer
- Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F for food safety.
- This ensures ground turkey reaches safe doneness, regardless of cook time.
7. Let rest before serving
- Turkey retains moisture better after resting for 5-10 minutes.
- This allows juices to reabsorb after cooking.
Top Turkey Crockpot Recipes to Try
With some simple prep and these helpful tips, you can make endless turkey crockpot meals. Here are some delicious ideas to get you started:
1. Crockpot Turkey Chili
This hearty chili is perfect for chilly nights. Cook ground turkey with chili powder, cumin, oregano, crushed tomatoes, beans, and veggies. Top with cheese and sour cream.
2. Crockpot Turkey Meatballs
For a fun twist on classic meatballs, use turkey and add breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, herbs and spices. Simmer in pasta sauce for ready-made meals.
3. Crockpot Turkey Tacos
Cook turkey with taco seasoning and diced tomatoes and serve in warmed tortillas or taco salads. Top with favorites like guacamole, salsa and shredded cheese.
4. Crockpot Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Sauté aromatics, turkey, peas and carrots then top with instant mashed potatoes. Cook until heated through and potatoes are tender for a comforting casserole.
5. Crockpot Turkey Bolognese
Simmer turkey in a rich tomato sauce with mushrooms, carrots, wine and cream. Toss with cooked pasta for a hearty turkey “meat” sauce.
6. Crockpot Turkey Soup
Turkey soup made in the crockpot is soothing and easy. Cook turkey with veggies, beans, garlic, herbs and broth for a cozy soup perfect for chilly weather.
With endless options for seasoning and mixing in vegetables, beans, pasta and more, your crockpot turkey recipes are limited only by your imagination!
FAQs About Cooking Frozen Ground Turkey in a Crockpot
Can you cook frozen ground turkey in the crockpot?
Yes, you can cook frozen ground turkey in the crockpot but it is not recommended to put large frozen pieces of meat directly into the crockpot. It is best to partially thaw turkey first so that it cooks evenly.
How long does it take to cook frozen ground turkey in a crockpot?
Cooking time can vary based on amount of turkey and other ingredients. A good rule of thumb is 8-10 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high. Check internal temperature to ensure doneness.
Should you brown ground turkey before putting in crockpot?
Browning ground turkey in a skillet before crockpot cooking adds nice caramelized flavor. However, it is not required if you are short on time.
What temperature should crockpot turkey reach before serving?
For food safety, ground turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer before serving.
Can you overcook ground turkey in a crockpot?
Yes, it is possible to overcook ground turkey to the point of drying it out. Avoid cooking on high for extended periods of time. Stick to the low setting and check doneness with a thermometer.
Enjoy Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Meals
Now that you know the ins and outs of cooking frozen ground turkey in the crockpot, you can start whipping up satisfying and healthy turkey dishes for easy weekday meals. Just remember to thaw partially, prep with flavor, and cook on low heat.
With minimal hands-on time needed, the crockpot does all the work for tender, moist turkey deep with flavor. Get creative with spices, veggies and seasonings to find new favorite turkey recipes the whole family will love!
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.
