If you are looking for an easy, quick, and pocket-friendly recipe, this is it! Since there are just 6 minutes needed to cook this ground turkey, you totally have the time to give this recipe a try!
Instant Pot Ground Turkey is the perfect way to add protein to your meals with a lot less fat!
The best part about using ground turkey is that you can swap it out for almost any meat recipe. Any dish that calls for ground beef, ground pork, or ground chicken can easily be made using ground turkey! While this recipe does have a few more ingredients added to it to make a full meal, the ground turkey portion is one that can be varied in other dishes!
Cooking ground turkey is a simple way to make every meal heartier and full of flavor. Since the flavor of turkey pairs well with all foods and vegetables, you cant go wrong!
One of my favorites about cooking this turkey recipe is that you just have to dump in all the ingredients and saute! Thats literally it!
When Im rushed and need a recipe that I can count on, this simple turkey recipe never lets me down.
Ground turkey is a healthy versatile protein that’s great in so many dishes. But cooking it just right can be tricky especially if you want to avoid drying it out. That’s where the Instant Pot comes in! The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking setting is ideal for keeping ground turkey moist andflavorful.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The benefits of using an Instant Pot for ground turkey
- Tips for choosing the right type of ground turkey
- Flavoring ideas like spices, herbs and sauces
- Step-by-step instructions for cooking ground turkey in the Instant Pot
- Timing guides based on amount of ground turkey
- How to adapt for recipes like tacos, chili, pasta sauce and more
- Serving suggestions and recipe ideas
By the end you’ll be fully prepared to make delicious fool-proof ground turkey meals in your Instant Pot!
Why Cook Ground Turkey in an Instant Pot?
Here are some of the key reasons the Instant Pot is great for cooking ground turkey:
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The pressurized environment keeps moisture locked in. Ground turkey can dry out easily, but not in the Instant Pot.
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You can infuse loads of flavor from sauces, spices and herbs.
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It’s hands-off cooking. Just throw in your ingredients and let the Instant Pot work its magic.
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Quick cooking times. Ground turkey cooks fast under pressure.
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You can safely cook from frozen. No need to thaw first.
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Easy cleanup since everything is cooked in one pot.
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Frees up your stovetop. The Instant Pot doesn’t heat up your kitchen.
Choosing the Right Ground Turkey
Ground turkey comes in a few varieties:
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93% lean / 7% fat: Leanest option. Can dry out if overcooked.
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85% lean / 15% fat: Provides more moisture and flavor. Our recommended choice.
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Dark meat: Higher fat content with bolder, richer flavor.
For the Instant Pot, we suggest 85% lean turkey for the best moisture and texture. You can also do half dark meat and half white meat for a flavor and fat balance.
Flavoring Your Ground Turkey
One concern with super lean ground turkey is lack of flavor. Luckily there are plenty of easy ways to make it delicious:
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Spices: Chile powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, sage, etc.
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Herbs: Chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, etc.
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Sauces: Salsa, ketchup, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc.
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Fats: Olive oil, sesame oil, etc. to prevent sticking.
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Aromatics: Onion, garlic, peppers, etc. provide flavor when sauteed.
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Cheese: Mix in shredded cheese like cheddar for extra richness.
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Veggies: Add chopped mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, etc.
Get creative mixing and matching flavors to suit any recipe!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cooking ground turkey in the Instant Pot is simple:
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Turn on Saute mode. Add olive oil and let heat up.
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Brown the turkey. Add ground turkey and cook 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink.
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Add flavorings. Throw in spices, herbs, aromatics, sauces, etc. Cook 1-2 minutes to toast spices.
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Add liquid. Pour in broth, tomatoes, or water as needed, about 1/2 cup.
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Pressure cook. Seal lid. Select high pressure and set cook time based on amount (see timings below).
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Quick release. Vent steam immediately after cook time ends.
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Season and serve! Fluff with a fork and season to taste.
That’s all there is to it! Now let’s look at cook times.
Instant Pot Ground Turkey Cook Times
For 1 lb ground turkey, pressure cook for 6-8 minutes
For 2 lbs ground turkey, pressure cook for 9-11 minutes
For 3 lbs ground turkey, pressure cook for 12-15 minutes
For 4+ lbs ground turkey, pressure cook for 15-20 minutes
The cook time ranges allow for variations in doneness. For crumbled turkey, use the shorter times. For heartier chunks or meatballs, cook longer.
These timings are based on a fully pressurized pot. Allow 10 minutes for the pot to heat up and pressurize before cooking.
Adapting Recipes
The basic Instant Pot ground turkey recipe above can easily be adapted for all kinds of delicious meals:
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Tacos: Add taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Serve in tortillas or taco salads.
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Chili: Make a turkey chili by adding beans, tomatoes, onions, chili powder and cumin.
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Pasta Sauce: Saute aromatics, add tomato sauce and pasta water to the turkey to make a Bolognese-style sauce.
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Stuffed Peppers: Mix turkey with rice, tomatoes, herbs and stuff into bell peppers.
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Burrito Bowls: Top cooked turkey with rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, salsa, etc.
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Soup: Simmer turkey in broth with veggies and pasta or rice.
Let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are endless for tasty ways to use ground turkey.
Serving Suggestions
Ground turkey cooked in the Instant Pot pairs well with:
- Rice or quinoa
- Roasted veggies like broccoli, cauliflower or brussels sprouts
- Leafy greens like spinach, kale or arugula
- Pasta, couscous or zucchini noodles
- Beans or lentils
Some fun recipe ideas include:
- Turkey taco lettuce wraps
- Zucchini turkey Bolognese
- Turkey mushroom soup
- Burrito bowls
- Turkey lentil curry
- Turkey stuffed peppers
Get Creative with Ground Turkey in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot takes the hassle out of cooking moist, flavor-packed ground turkey. With the right seasonings and sauces, you can make anything from tacos to pasta sauce to soup.
Follow the step-by-step guide, adapt the cook times as needed, and experiment with your own flavor combinations. Ground turkey makes for quick, budget-friendly Instant Pot meals the whole family will love. Enjoy those leftovers too!
How to Serve
You have plenty of delicious options when it comes to serving this turkey dish! Enjoy it as is as a low-carb meal or serve it with any of the options below:
You can mix and match and have a different pairing every time that you make it.
To store leftovers, let the meat mixture cool down all the way and then add it to an airtight container. You should eat leftovers within 3 days. You can also freeze ground turkey for up to 1 month or use it to make these delicious Air Fryer Turkey Burgers.
To avoid the burn message, be sure that youre adding the tomato sauce on top of the meat. This will stop that message from showing up!
Yes, you can add frozen or fresh meat, both. If the meat is frozen, you may have to increase the cooking time slightly to cook it, but it shouldnt be by a lot.
Ground turkey will taste a bit differently in terms of texture, and this is because its just a different type of meat than beef or pork. If you overcook it, it may break down a bit as well, causing it to seem like its mushier than normal.
More Instant Pot Ground Meat Recipes
There are so many recipes that you can use making ground meat! Here are some of my favorites that I think youll enjoy:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment below. Thanks!
Instant Pot Ground Turkey
FAQ
How long does it take to cook ground turkey?
How long to cook meat on Instant Pot?
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Meat
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Cooking Time (minutes)
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Beef, meat ball
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5 per 450 g / 1 lb
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Beef, dressed
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20 – 25 per 450 g / 1 lb
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Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Small Chunks
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15-20 per 450 g / 1 lb
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Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Large Chunks
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20-25 per 450 g / 1 lb
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Can you put raw meat in Instant Pot?
Do you have to cover meat with water in Instant Pot?
How to cook ground turkey in Instant Pot?
Here are the steps on how to cook ground turkey in an instant pot: 1. Add the ground turkey to the instant pot. 2. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the instant pot. 3. Set the instant pot to “Saute” mode. 4. Break up the ground turkey with a spatula and cook until browned. 5. Add your desired seasonings. 6. Add 1 cup of water to the instant pot. 7.
How do you cook a frozen turkey in an Instant Pot?
Add the frozen ground turkey to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Pour 1/2 cup of cold water (or stock) into the bottom of the pot and top the meat with any seasonings you’d like. You’re using a bit less liquid than usual for this recipe because the frozen turkey will also produce a bit of liquid.
What can you cook in an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot Ground Turkey Quinoa Bowls Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Ground Turkey & Spinach Instant Pot Meatball and Couscous Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Lasagna Soup Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs Instant Pot Unstuffed Turkey Cabbage Roll Bowl Turkey Taco Meat Recipe Instant Pot Turkey Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili
Can you cook ground turkey in a pressure cooker?
Cooking ground turkey from frozen is my favorite way to cook meat in a pressure cooker. The pressure the Instant Pot creates infuses the seasoning into the meat. Less mess, less time, more flavor. Place frozen meat in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add seasonings to the top of the meat now. 1 lb ground turkey seasonings