If you’re wondering how to cook ground turkey and make it taste good, you’re in luck! This recipe lets you create healthy, flavourful ground turkey meat in just 15 minutes. That way, you can have your weeknight meal ready in no time. You can cook ground turkey as taco meat, a topping for salads, chilli, gyro bowls, and more!
Ground turkey is a popular, versatile and healthy meat choice. It’s lower in fat than ground beef, making it an excellent alternative for dishes like burgers, meatballs, tacos, chili and more When making any of these delicious recipes, one of the key things you need to know is how long to cook ground turkey in a pan.
The cooking time can vary based on a few factors:
- The amount of ground turkey
- The temperature of the pan
- Whether or not you break up the meat as it cooks
- If you want the turkey fully browned or slightly pink
Follow this simple guide to learn exactly how long it takes to cook ground turkey in a pan, as well as tips for preventing dry, overcooked meat.
Factors That Affect Cooking Time
Amount of Turkey
How much ground turkey you are cooking will impact the cooking time. A larger batch of meat will naturally take longer to cook than a smaller portion. For reference:
- 1/2 pound of ground turkey takes approximately 4-6 minutes to cook
- 1 pound of ground turkey takes approximately 7-10 minutes to cook
- 2 pounds of ground turkey takes approximately 14-18 minutes to cook
Always break up the turkey into crumbles as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
Pan Temperature
Preheating your skillet or pan before adding the turkey is crucial for decreasing cooking time. The hotter the pan, the faster the meat will cook.
- For a well-browned, crispy turkey, use a high heat between medium-high and high.
- For a less browned, more tender turkey, use a medium heat.
Breaking Up the Meat
Taking the time to break up the turkey into small crumbles and turn it frequently results in faster, more even cooking.
If you just add a big lump of ground meat to the pan, it will take much longer for the inside to cook through.
Doneness Level
The final doneness of the turkey will impact the total cooking time,
Cooking times below are based on an internal temperature of 165°F, which is recommended by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
- For fully cooked ground turkey with no pink inside, cook approximately 7-10 minutes.
- For ground turkey that is lightly pink inside, cook approximately 5-7 minutes.
How to Cook Ground Turkey in a Pan
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked ground turkey in a pan every time:
1. Heat Oil in a Skillet
Heat 1-2 tbsp of oil such as avocado, olive or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Add Ground Turkey
Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet, breaking it apart into crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks
Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Brown the Turkey
Let the turkey cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, allowing the meat to brown. Stir and break up any large pieces.
4. Finish Cooking
Cook for 2-5 more minutes, continuing to stir and break up the turkey as needed until fully browned and cooked through.
The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Drain Excess Fat
For a healthier dish, drain excess fat from the ground turkey in a mesh strainer before serving.
Cooking Times for Ground Turkey
Use these cooking times as a guide when making your favorite ground turkey recipes:
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- Pan-fried: 4-6 minutes
- Oven-baked: 10-15 minutes at 400°F
- 1 pound ground turkey
- Pan-fried: 7-10 minutes
- Oven-baked: 15-20 minutes at 400°F
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- Pan-fried: 14-18 minutes
- Oven-baked: 25-30 minutes at 400°F
Tips for Cooking Juicy Ground Turkey
Follow these tips to help prevent dried out, overcooked ground turkey:
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Cook to 165°F.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan which steams the meat. Cook in batches if needed.
- Let the turkey sear undisturbed before stirring for better browning.
- Add broth, tomatoes or water to the pan if turkey seems dry.
- Don’t press down on the meat while it cooks which can make it tough.
- Rest cooked turkey 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when ground turkey is fully cooked?
Ground turkey is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The meat will be browned on the outside and no longer pink inside.
Should ground turkey be broken up while cooking?
Yes, breaking up the meat while cooking allows it to brown evenly and cook faster. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to crumble into small pieces.
What color should cooked ground turkey be?
When ground turkey is fully cooked, it will be light brown or grayish brown in color on the outside and no longer pink inside.
Can you cook frozen ground turkey in a pan?
It is best to thaw frozen ground turkey in the refrigerator before cooking. Meat should be thawed enough that it can be broken apart in the pan.
What oil should be used for cooking ground turkey?
Good neutral cooking oils for ground turkey include olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil. Avoid oils with low smoke points.
Cooking ground turkey in a pan is one of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare this healthy, versatile meat. Follow this guide for exactly how long to cook ground turkey to help you make perfectly juicy, flavorful turkey for tacos, chili, burgers and more. With the proper pan temperature, breaking up the meat, and following cooking times, you’ll have delicious results every time.
So next time your recipe calls for ground turkey, you’ll know exactly how long to cook it in the pan for ideal doneness. Enjoy all the delicious ways to utilize ground turkey with these easy tricks for moist, tender meat cooked right in a skillet on your stovetop.
How to make ground turkey the best
- Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat, coated with rapeseed oil/canola ( 1).
- Add the ground turkey into the pan and break apart (roughly) with a spatula ( 2).
3. Leave to brown on a high heat for five minutes. Season with salt and pepper ( 3).
4. After this time, the ground turkey should have taken on some nice colour. Break apart properly now with your spatula and stir ( 4).
5. Continue to cook for another 3 minutes, then add the seasoning and another generous pinch of salt into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium now and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes ( 5).
6. Serve up with a crack of black pepper and enjoy! ( 6).
Why you’ll love this recipe
Versatile – The best part about this lean turkey recipe is that you can adjust the seasoning to your liking and turn the ground turkey into nearly anything.
Healthy – Cooking ground turkey is a healthy alternative to ground beef, as it’s lower in fat.
Fast cooking – This simple cooked ground turkey is ready in only 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavourful – With spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne, you can expect a burst of flavour in every bite.
Simple seasoning – If you’re wondering how to season ground turkey, I’ve noted the spices I like to use below. This simple seasoning provides a tasty flavour and is versatile enough to use in various recipes.