Ground turkey is a popular lean meat that can be substituted for ground beef in many recipes It’s healthy, versatile, and budget-friendly Many cooks keep packages of ground turkey in the freezer so it’s ready whenever a recipe calls for it.
But before you can cook frozen ground turkey, you need to properly thaw it. Thawing ground turkey incorrectly can lead to bacterial growth, so food safety is crucial.
In this complete guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about safely thawing ground turkey and how long it takes.
Overview of Thawing Methods
There are three main recommended methods for safely thawing frozen ground turkey
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Refrigerator: This passive approach keeps the turkey at a safe 40°F temperature or below. But it takes the longest amount of time.
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Cold Water: Submerging the turkey in cold water speeds up the thawing process. But it requires more hands-on monitoring.
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Microwave: Defrosting in the microwave is the quickest method. But it can lead to uneven thawing and the turkey must be cooked immediately after.
The thawing time depends on the size of the package you are thawing. I’ll provide specific timelines for each method in the sections below.
Thawing Ground Turkey in the Refrigerator
The refrigerator method is slow but safe. Here are some tips when using this approach:
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Place the frozen ground turkey in its original sealed package or another leak-proof container. This prevents contamination from any leaks.
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Put the turkey on a plate or pan on a lower shelf in the back of the fridge where the temperature is coldest.
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Allow approximately 12-24 hours for every 1 pound of frozen turkey to thaw completely. A 3 lb package will take 36-72 hours to thaw.
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Cook the thawed ground turkey within 1-2 days and don’t refreeze it more than once. Quality suffers with multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
The refrigerator method requires no monitoring but you need to plan 1-3 days ahead depending on the size of your turkey package. The extended thaw time gives flexibility if you forget to take the turkey out until the night before cooking.
Thawing Ground Turkey in Cold Water
For faster thawing than the refrigerator method, submerging sealed turkey in cold water can cut the time approximately in half or more. Follow these steps:
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Place the ground turkey in a sealed zip-top plastic bag or airtight container. This prevents leaks and contamination.
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Put the sealed turkey in a bowl and completely cover with cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold.
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Allow approximately 30 minutes per 1 pound of frozen turkey. A 3 lb package will thaw in 1-2 hours.
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Cook the ground turkey immediately after thawing is complete, as bacteria grows rapidly on turkey thawed this way.
The cold water approach takes more hands-on effort but significantly reduces thaw time compared to the refrigerator. It also leads to more even thawing throughout the turkey.
Thawing Ground Turkey in the Microwave
The fastest way to thaw frozen ground turkey is in the microwave oven. Follow these important steps:
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Remove any packaging and place the turkey on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Do not microwave it in the original packaging.
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Microwave at 50% power using the defrost setting if available.
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Microwave for 2 minutes per 1 pound of turkey, then check it and continue microwaving in 1 minute increments if still frozen.
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A 3 lb package will take about 6-9 total minutes at 50% power.
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Cook the ground turkey immediately after microwaving to prevent bacterial overgrowth.
Microwaving is the quickest thawing method, so it’s convenient for a last minute thaw. But it can lead to uneven thawing, so stir and rotate the turkey as needed during the process. The partial cooking that occurs also makes prompt cooking after thawing critical.
Key Tips for Safe Thawing
When thawing frozen ground turkey, keep these important food safety guidelines in mind:
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Never thaw turkey on the counter at room temperature or in hot water. This dangerously increases bacteria growth.
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Cook thawed ground turkey within 1-2 days and don’t refreeze it more than once. Quality and texture decline with multiple thaws.
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Microwave thawing partially cooks the turkey, so cook it immediately after thawing stops.
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Change cold tap water every 30 minutes if thawing in water. This maintains proper cool temperatures.
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Defrost in the refrigerator if time allows for even, no-risk thawing.
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Inspect the turkey during and after thawing and always cook it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Following these simple methods and safety tips will allow you to reliably thaw frozen ground turkey using the timeframe that works best for the amount you need and your schedule. With proper planning and handling, you can safely enjoy delicious turkey dishes year-round.
StepsMethod
- 1 Place the frozen ground turkey in the fridge in its package or a leak-proof dish. Make sure that the ground turkey is in sealed packaging so that it does not leak as it thaws. Place the ground turkey, in its packaging, in a dish or a plastic bag just in case it leaks.[1] [2]
- Put the ground turkey on a shelf or in a drawer in your fridge away from any open foods, such as fruits and vegetables, just in case there are any leaks.
- Never thaw frozen ground turkey on the counter because bacteria can develop on the outer parts of the meat that warm up first.
- 2 Leave the ground turkey in the fridge for up to a day until it thaws. The time the turkey takes to thaw will vary based on the temperature of your refrigerator. Even 1 lb (0.45 kg) of ground turkey will take 12-24 hours to thaw.[3]
- The back and bottom of the fridge generally stay the coldest. Cold air sinks to the bottom, and warm air rushes in the front of the fridge every time you open the door.
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3 Cook the ground turkey within 1-2 days after it thaws. The ground turkey will stay good up to 2 days after it thaws. Refreeze it within this timeframe if you will not be able to cook it all.
- If you don’t want to wait until the turkey is thawed all the way, keep in mind that it is perfectly safe to cook it while it is still all or partly frozen. It will just take about 50% longer to cook this way than thawed ground turkey.
- You can also finish thawing the turkey in a dish of cold water or in the microwave.
- Keep in mind that the meat will begin to lose quality the more you thaw and refreeze it. This is due to loss of moisture every time you thaw it.
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Expert Q&ASearch
- Question Can I cook slightly frozen ground turkey? JoAnna Minneci Professional Chef JoAnna Minneci is a retired Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specialized in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control. JoAnna Minneci Professional Chef Expert Answer You can if the frozen part is small enough! For example, if youre cooking a pound of ground turkey meat, a golf ball-sized frozen chunk will break up quickly enough during the cooking process. If its bigger than that, you can thaw the meat in the microwave—just be sure to cook it immediately afterward.
- Question How long of a shelf life does ground turkey have after defrosting?
Michele Top Answerer Like any meat, defrost it in the fridge, below 40° F. It should last for 2 – 3 days past the sell-by date. If you wrote the date you put it into the freezer, you know exactly how long you can keep it. Example: You froze it 3 days before the sell by date. You can keep it for 5 – 6 days in the fridge. If not, dont let it sit for more than 2 – 3, max. - Question How long does it take to defrost 1.25 lb of turkey in the microwave? Michele Top Answerer The best way is to plan ahead and thaw it in the fridge the day prior. You can submerge the turkey, in its bag, changing the water every 30 minutes. This will take about 30 minutes per pound. It is quicker than the refrigerator, but requires more of your time. Keeping it under running water will reduce the time to defrost but will waste a lot of water. Not good, especially if youre in a drought area. Meat should not really be thawed in the microwave, but if you have no choice, you can use it; check your owners manual for the minutes per pound and power level, and cook immediately after.
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How to Thaw Ground Turkey : Hearty Recipes
FAQ
Can I cook ground turkey from frozen?
Homemade turkey burgers can be cooked from frozen, but there are a few important points to consider for optimal results: Cooking Time: Cooking from frozen will increase the cooking time. You should expect to cook them for about 50% longer than if they were thawed.
How to thaw a turkey fast?
It’s just as it sounds: By submerging it in ice water, even a 20-pound turkey can be defrosted in just 12 hours (ThermoWorks says to count on about 8 hours …Sep 28, 2023