Imagine it’s a cold winter day in January and school has closed last minute due to an impending storm. It seems like the perfect day to take a few pounds of meat out of the freezer to make a slow cooker ground beef recipe. Right? – WRONG!
Cooking frozen ground turkey in a crock pot may seem daunting, but it’s actually a simple process that results in tender, juicy meat. With the right techniques, your crock pot turkey will turn out perfectly. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook frozen ground turkey in the crock pot successfully.
Thawing the Turkey
The first step is thawing the frozen ground turkey While it’s technically possible to cook frozen meat in the crockpot, it’s not recommended. Thawing ensures the turkey cooks evenly
There are a few ways to safely thaw ground turkey:
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In the refrigerator This is the preferred method, Place the frozen turkey in a container to catch any juices, Allow 1 day of thawing for every 5 pounds,
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In cold water: Submerge the frozen turkey in its packaging in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Approximately 30 minutes per pound.
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In the microwave: Use the defrost setting in short bursts, checking often. This is the fastest method, but can cook meat unevenly.
Once thawed, the ground turkey is ready for the crock pot.
Prepping the Meat
Prepping the turkey before it goes into the slow cooker is important for maximum flavor. Here are two easy steps:
1. Browning the Meat
Browning the meat before slow cooking is optional but improves flavor and texture tremendously. Just heat a skillet over medium high heat, add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks as you go. Drain excess fat before adding to the crock pot.
2. Season Generously
Season the turkey liberally before slow cooking. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cumin make a basic seasoning blend. Tailor the blend to complement your recipe.
Adding Liquid
Having the right amount of liquid is key for crock pot success. For ground turkey, use about 1 cup liquid per 1 pound of meat. Options include:
- Broth/stock
- Wine or beer
- Tomatoes/tomato products
- Water
Thinned sauces like barbeque sauce or stir-fry sauce also work. Add liquid to the crock pot before adding the seasoned ground turkey.
Slow Cook Times
Cooking times vary based on quantity. For 1-2 pounds of ground turkey, high heat for 3-4 hours or low heat 6-8 hours will suffice. For larger quantities, allow:
- High heat: 4-6 hours
- Low heat: 8-10 hours
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey has reached 165°F when finished cooking.
Finishing Touches
Once cooked, there are a few finishing steps to ensure the best results:
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Drain excess liquid: Tip the crock insert over a bowl to drain off and discard any excess juices.
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Shred: For moist, tender turkey, shredding is key. Use two forks to shred the cooked turkey right in the crock pot.
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Season again: Check seasonings and adjust if needed after cooking.
Your cooked turkey is now ready to use for any recipe, like turkey chili, soup, casseroles and more.
Troubleshooting
Even when carefully prepared, issues can pop up. Here are some common problems and fixes:
Undercooked: Cook longer, up to 10 hours on low. Use a thermometer to confirm doneness.
Dry or stringy: Add more liquid during cooking and shred thoroughly after cooking.
Bland: Season again at the end and adjust as needed. Browns spices before adding can also boost flavor.
Excess liquid: Drain liquid periodically during cooking. Reduce recipe’s added liquid.
Burned: Don’t cook on high for more than 6 hours. Add all liquid at start.
With the right techniques, cooking frozen ground turkey in the crockpot results in flavorful, juicy meat for any recipe. Follow these tips for thawing, prepping, cooking times, and troubleshooting. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at making tender crock pot turkey.
Recipes to make in the crockpot using ground beef
One of the best things about using a slow cooker for meat is that you don’t have to worry about thawing the meat first. Just throw it in frozen and let the cooking process do its thing.
For cooked beef, you could do something like a shepherd’s pie. Brown the frozen beef in a frying pan first and then add it to the crockpot with some frozen veggies (peas, carrots and corn) and mashed potatoes (which you can make using a potato masher). Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make tacos, try cooking them in the slow cooker with some taco seasoning and a cup of water. Cook on high for 2-3 hours, and then check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it’s fully cooked before serving with tortillas, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and salsa.
For sloppy joes, add thawed raw ground beef to the crockpot with some spaghetti sauce and a little bit of hot water. Cook on low for 5-6 hours and use a wooden spoon to break up any lumps of meat.
If you prefer poultry, try this slow cooker pulled chicken recipe.
Can you cook frozen ground beef in the crockpot?
Today, I’m answering one of the most asked questions about cooking ground meat in the slow cooker – can you put frozen ground beef in the crock pot? Well, the short answer is NO. And let me tell you why you should not cook frozen meat in your slow cooker.
First off, it’s important to understand the concept of the temperature “danger zone.” This is the temperature range between 41-135 degrees Fahrenheit (5-57 degrees Celsius), where bacteria thrive and multiply rapidly. When food is between 70-125 degrees Fahrenheit (21-52 degrees Celsius) bacteria grows fastest. This means that when cooking ground beef, we need to make sure it gets to a safe temperature of above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) within two hours.
Now, back to the question at hand – can you put frozen ground beef in the crock pot? The answer is no because frozen meat takes too long to reach a safe temperature in a slow cooker. Slow cookers typically have a temperature range of 170-280 degrees Fahrenheit, which is high enough to kill most bacteria. However, the USDA still recommends thawing all foods completely before placing them in a slow cooker.
If you’re in a hurry and need to cook ground meat quickly, an instant pot or pressure cooker is a great way to do it. These appliances cook food at high pressure, which means they can quickly bring frozen meat to a safe temperature without spending too much time in the danger zone.
If you’re determined to use your slow cooker, here’s what you need to do to cook ground meat safely.
First, make sure your meat is fully thawed before putting it in the slow cooker. You can do this by transferring it from the freezer to the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Once your ground meat is thawed, cook it on your slow cooker’s highest temperature setting for the first hour to ensure that it reaches a safe temperature quickly. Then, you can reduce the heat to the desired level to finish cooking. I found this to be the easiest way to reduce overall cooking time while taking advantage of the slow cooker’s convenience.
Note that ground turkey follows the same rules as ground beef. Both ground meats should never be cooked frozen in a slow cooker.
So, if you want to cook ground beef or ground turkey in your slow cooker, make sure it’s fully thawed first. Don’t risk making yourself or your family sick by cooking frozen meat in the danger zone. It’s just not worth it!
Can you put raw turkey in crock pot?
FAQ
Can you put frozen ground turkey in the crock pot?
It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker.
Is it safe to cook frozen turkey in the crockpot?
Can I cook a frozen turkey in a slow cooker? No, experts do NOT recommend putting frozen meat in a Crock Pot. This is because slow cookers do not reliably get frozen meat to a safe temperature of 140 degrees F evenly or quickly enough.
Can you cook frozen ground meat in a crock pot?
Recipes to make in the crockpot using ground beef
One of the best things about using a slow cooker for meat is that you don’t have to worry about thawing the meat first. Just throw it in frozen and let the cooking process do its thing. For cooked beef, you could do something like a shepherd’s pie.
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.