Cooking frozen ground turkey in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to get a healthy meal on the table fast. As someone who loves cooking with my instant pot, I was thrilled when I realized I could cook frozen ground turkey from frozen! No more forgetting to thaw the meat or waiting around for it to defrost.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about cooking frozen ground turkey in an instant pot. We’ll cover
- Benefits of cooking frozen ground turkey in an instant pot
- How long to cook 1 lb frozen ground turkey
- How long to cook 2 lbs frozen ground turkey
- Tip for getting the best results
- Seasoning ideas and recipe ideas
Benefits of Cooking Frozen Ground Turkey in an Instant Pot
There are a few reasons why cooking frozen ground turkey in the instant pot is my favorite method
- It’s fast – No waiting for the meat to thaw! You can start cooking frozen ground turkey right away.
- Infuses flavor – The pressure cooking process forces steam into the meat, infusing it with flavors from seasoning.
- Juicy turkey – Pressure cooking locks in moisture. The turkey comes out tender and juicy.
- Fewer dishes – Cook the meat in the same pot you’ll use to make the full recipe later. Minimal cleanup!
- More hands-off – Set it and forget it. Once the lid is locked, you can walk away while it cooks.
How Long to Cook 1 lb Frozen Ground Turkey in an Instant Pot
For 1 pound of frozen ground turkey, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, quick release the pressure and open the lid. The turkey will be thawed but not fully cooked yet. Give it a stir, breaking up any large pieces.
Then sauté for 5-10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches an internal temp of 165°F.
How Long to Cook 2 lbs Frozen Ground Turkey in an Instant Pot
For a larger batch, you can easily double the recipe. To cook 2 pounds of frozen ground turkey, increase the cook time to 20 minutes on high pressure.
Follow the same steps as above, quick releasing after 20 minutes before sautéing until fully cooked.
Tips for Best Results with Frozen Ground Turkey
Here are a few tips to ensure your frozen ground turkey turns out perfectly in the instant pot:
- Don’t overfill – For even cooking, don’t fill pot more than 2/3 full.
- Add liquid – Add 1/2 cup water or broth to help create steam.
- Use a trivet – Place turkey on a trivet or steamer basket if cooking with sauce.
- Sauté after – Be sure to sauté after pressure cooking to brown meat and evaporate liquid.
- Season generously – Pressure cooking forces seasoning into meat, so season more heavily than normal.
Seasoning Ideas for Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is versatile and takes well to any seasoning! Here are some of my favorites:
- Taco seasoning – perfect start for turkey tacos or taco salad
- Italian seasoning – makes a tasty turkey for pasta dishes
- Chili powder and cumin – use in chili, sloppy joes, burritos
- Lemon pepper – great for turkey burgers or meatballs
- Onion and garlic powder – an easy go-to for basic seasoning
Get creative and use your favorite spice blends!
Healthy Recipe Ideas with Ground Turkey
Cooking frozen ground turkey in the instant pot is the perfect start to so many easy, healthy meals!
Here are just a few recipe ideas to try:
- Turkey chili – Make a big batch for easy leftovers. Serve with cheddar and avocado.
- Turkey tacos – Stuff tacos with your seasoned turkey and favorite toppings.
- Turkey lettuce wraps – Scoop taco turkey into lettuce leaves for a low carb option.
- Turkey burgers – Grill or pan fry seasoned patties for a lean burger night.
- Turkey spaghetti – Toss turkey with marinara and whole wheat noodles for an easy dinner.
- Turkey stuffed peppers – Fill peppers with instant pot turkey rice for a vegetarian stuffed pepper.
- Turkey meatballs – Make baked meatballs over zucchini noodles for a low carb meal.
Step 4: Season and Flavor
Now it’s time to add some flavor to your ground turkey. Sprinkle your favorite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or any other herbs and spices you love. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors to suit your taste.
Step 1: Prepare Your Instant Pot
The first thing you need to do is prep your Instant Pot. Start by plugging it in and placing the inner pot inside. Ensure that the sealing ring is properly in place, and double-check that the pressure release valve is in the sealing position. This will ensure that your Instant Pot functions correctly during the cooking process.
BEST HACK EVER: Cooking Frozen Meat in the Instant Pot
FAQ
How long to cook frozen meat in Instant Pot?
How long does it take frozen ground turkey?
Can frozen ground beef be cooked in Instant Pot?
How many minutes per pound of meat in Instant Pot?
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.
How do you cook a frozen turkey burger in an Instant Pot?
Place instant pot trivet into bottom of instant pot. Put frozen turkey burger onto trivet and add 1⁄2 cup water into bottom. Add 1/2 of the seasoning to the top of the meat patty. Secure the lid on the pot with vent set to sealing. Press pressure cook button and set to high for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
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.
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