You can use air-fried ground turkey in a lot of different ways to make food taste great. You can add it to pasta, stir-fries, or taco seasoning. It’s so easy to make this tasty ground turkey.
Cooking ground turkey in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare delicious and moist ground turkey for tacos, pasta soups, salads and more. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have perfectly cooked ground turkey from your air fryer in under 15 minutes.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Ground Turkey
There are several advantages to using an air fryer rather than traditional stovetop cooking methods when preparing ground turkey:
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Cooks Turkey Evenly The hot air circulates around the food in an air fryer ensuring the turkey browns evenly on all sides. No more overcooked edges and undercooked centers!
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Keeps Turkey Moist Air fryers cook food very quickly at a high temp This seals in moisture and results in juicy ground turkey texture
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Adds Flavor: The air fryer creates a lightly crispy texture on the outside of the turkey while keeping the inside tender. This amplifies the flavors.
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Quick & Easy: Cook times are fast in the air fryer, so you can have delicious ground turkey ready in 10-15 minutes. Minimal preparation needed.
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Easy Cleanup: With little oil used during air frying, there is less splatter and mess. Cleanup is a breeze!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect air fryer ground turkey:
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (or seasoning of choice)
Directions
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If using frozen ground turkey, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
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Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
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Place ground turkey in air fryer basket and break apart meat using a wooden spoon or spatula.
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Season turkey with salt, pepper, paprika and any other desired seasonings. Mix well to distribute evenly.
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Air fry for 5 minutes at 390°F.
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Remove basket and stir turkey, breaking up any large pieces. Return to air fryer.
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Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until no pink remains and turkey is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
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For extra flavor, add teriyaki sauce, buffalo sauce, taco seasoning, cajun seasoning or another sauce/seasoning and toss to coat.
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Enjoy your perfectly cooked ground turkey in tacos, salads, pasta dishes, soups and more!
Tips for the Best Results
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Use lean ground turkey for optimal texture. Ground turkey with a higher fat content can become greasy.
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook ground turkey in batches for even cooking.
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Stir the turkey halfway through cook time to prevent sticking on bottom.
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Add a slit sheet of parchment paper under turkey to make cleanup easier.
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Adjust cook times as needed based on amount of turkey and air fryer model.
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Use an instant read thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temp.
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Add sauces or seasonings at the end for maximum flavor impact.
Common FAQs
Can you put frozen ground turkey in an air fryer?
It’s best to thaw ground turkey before air frying. The hot air needs to properly circulate around the turkey as it cooks. Frozen turkey may not cook evenly.
How long does it take to cook ground turkey in an air fryer?
Cook times can vary based on amount and model, but expect approximately 10 minutes at 390°F. Check internal temp with a meat thermometer.
What temperature should I cook ground turkey in an air fryer?
390°F is ideal for achieving a lightly browned exterior while keeping the inside moist.
How do I prevent sticking?
Use a thin coating of oil, parchment paper, or frequently stir during cooking to prevent sticking.
Can I use already cooked ground turkey in the air fryer?
Yes, you can reheat already cooked ground turkey in the air fryer to use in other dishes. Just cook at 300°F until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Get Creative with Your Cooked Ground Turkey
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using your freshly cooked air fryer ground turkey! Here are just a few ideas:
- Ground turkey taco salad
- Turkey bolognese with zucchini noodles
- Inside quesadillas or enchiladas
- Ground turkey lettuce wraps
- Turkey burger patties
- Turkey chili or sloppy joes
- Stir fry with veggies over rice
- Turkey stuffed peppers or mushrooms
- Mix into mac and cheese or baked ziti
So next time you need a healthy protein for dinner, give ground turkey cooked in the air fryer a try. It’s quick, easy, and infinitely versatile for all your recipe needs!
How To Make Air Fryer Ground Turkey
First let’s season the ground turkey. Add it to the air fryer basket, then top with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to break up the ground turkey into pieces, while mixing it with the seasonings.
Place basket back in air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, take out the basket and mix the ground turkey.
Once the meat is done cooking, open up the air fryer and check the turkey. Stir it around with a spatula, making sure the ground turkey is cooked through and no longer pink.
When the turkey is ready to be served, take it out of the basket and put it in a bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to break the meat up a little more, if necessary. Then top with more seasonings, sauce, or serve as is!.
- You can add any spices you like; we just used salt and pepper.
- It’s important to mix the ground turkey in the middle of cooking so that it browns fully.
- Since air fryers work in different ways, you might need to change the cooking time.
- You can add more spices to taste after the meat is done cooking.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Ground Turkey
