Defrosting frozen ground turkey in the microwave is a quick and convenient way to thaw it when you’re ready to cook. But how long does it actually take? The time needed can vary based on several factors. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about thawing ground turkey in the microwave.
Why Defrost Ground Turkey in the Microwave?
The microwave can defrost ground turkey much faster than letting it thaw in the refrigerator. While fridge thawing takes 12-24 hours, the microwave can thaw ground turkey in under 15 minutes depending on the amount.
Microwaving is also simpler than the cold water method, which requires constantly changing out the water to keep it cold. With the microwave, you simply pop it in, set the time, and come back when it’s done thawing.
Just keep in mind that microwaving does not thaw the meat as evenly as the refrigerator or cold water methods The edges may start cooking while the middle is still frozen. Be sure to stir and flip the meat during defrosting to help it thaw evenly.
Factors That Affect Defrosting Time
Several key factors determine how long it takes to defrost ground turkey in the microwave:
-
Weight of the turkey: The more turkey there is to thaw, the longer it will take. Figure about 7-8 minutes per pound.
-
Microwave wattage: Higher wattage microwaves will thaw faster than lower wattage ones. A 1200 watt microwave may take 6 minutes per pound while a 700 watt one takes 8 minutes.
-
Thickness of the meat Thicker, dense packages will take longer than thinner ground turkey portions. Packaging also affects this.
-
Frozen state: Fully frozen meat takes longer than partially thawed meat. If the turkey is partly thawed already, reduce time.
-
Dish used: Shallower dishes thaw faster than deeper containers keeping meat further from sides.
-
Flipping and stirring: This helps thaw evenly. If you don’t stir or flip, edges will cook before middle thaws.
Microwave Defrosting Guidelines
Most microwaves have a defrost setting that automatically determines the time needed based on weight. However, you can also manually defrost using these time guidelines:
- 1 pound ground turkey – 7 to 8 minutes
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey – 10 to 12 minutes
- 2 pounds ground turkey – 14 to 16 minutes
- 2.5 pounds ground turkey – 18 to 20 minutes
- 3 pounds ground turkey – 21 to 24 minutes
For amounts over 3 pounds, continue increasing cook time by about 7 minutes per pound. Always start with the minimum recommended time and check every few minutes. You can cook partially frozen turkey, so don’t worry if still slightly icy in the middle when done thawing.
Step-by-Step Defrosting Instructions
Follow these steps for foolproof ground turkey microwave defrosting:
-
Take it out of the packaging: Remove any plastic wrap or absorbent pads. Place the turkey directly on a microwave-safe plate or dish.
-
Microwave at 50% power: This gentle defrost setting prevents cooking the meat too fast. Some microwaves have an auto defrost button which works well too.
-
Microwave in short intervals: Microwave for the minimum recommended time based on weight, such as 7 minutes for 1 pound. Check and flip meat. Microwave 2-3 minutes more if still icy.
-
Stir and flip occasionally: This helps the turkey defrost evenly. Edge pieces may start cooking if you don’t stir.
-
Let it stand 2-3 minutes: This allows the heat to continue conducting to the center and finish thawing.
-
Cook immediately: Cook the turkey right after thawing because some areas will have started cooking. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Thawing Partially Frozen Ground Turkey
If your ground turkey is already partially thawed when you go to defrost it, reduce the microwave time. For turkey that is about halfway thawed already:
- 1 pound – 3 to 4 minutes
- 1.5 pounds – 5 to 6 minutes
- 2 pounds – 7 to 8 minutes
Check frequently and reduce time if thawing quickly. The meat may be ready as soon as 1-2 minutes for some partial packs. Cook immediately after microwaving.
Can You Microwave Ground Turkey from Frozen?
You can actually cook frozen ground turkey straight from the freezer without thawing first. This isn’t ideal, but works in a pinch.
For every 1 pound of frozen turkey, add about 50% more cook time to your recipe when microwave cooking from fully frozen. You may also need to add a bit more liquid.
So if a recipe calls for cooking thawed ground turkey for 10 minutes, increase cook time to 15 minutes for frozen. Check that the meat has fully cooked through and is no longer pink inside.
Storing Thawed Ground Turkey
Once you’ve thawed ground turkey in the microwave, it’s important to handle and store it properly for food safety:
-
Cook thawed ground turkey immediately, within 1-2 hours after microwaving. Don’t let it sit out.
-
Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
-
When reheating leftovers, reheat fully to an internal temperature of 165°F.
-
Don’t refreeze thawed turkey more than once, as the quality decreases.
Follow these microwave thawing guidelines for safe, quick ground turkey defrosting anytime. With the right technique, you can enjoy delicious turkey dishes without having to plan ahead!
StepsMethod
-
1 Put the ground turkey on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Take the turkey out of its packaging and place it on a plate or dish. Make sure the plate or dish has at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of room between the turkey and the sides so that any juices dont spill over the edges.[4]
- Don’t put the turkey in the microwave in its regular packaging because it can melt or catch on fire.
-
{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/s/thumb/8/8b/Thaw-Ground-Turkey-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Thaw-Ground-Turkey-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”/s/thumb/8/8b/Thaw-Ground-Turkey-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/aid1619554-v4-728px-Thaw-Ground-Turkey-Step-5-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:259,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:410,”licensing”:”
u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this under U.S. and international copyright laws. This is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other s posted to the wikiHow website. This may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.2 Defrost the turkey at 50% power for 2 minutes per 1 lb (0.45 kg). Put the ground turkey in the microwave and set the power to 50%, or use the defrost function. Keep defrosting it in increments of 1 minute if it is still not thawed after the initial cook time.[5]
</p>
</p></div>”}- Rotate the meat in the microwave after the first 2 minutes if you need to defrost it longer. This will help it thaw evenly since microwaves have some spots that get hotter than others.
- 3 Cook the ground turkey right away after it is thawed. You need to cook the ground turkey quickly after you thaw it in the microwave to avoid letting bacteria grow. Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers after you cook the turkey.[6]
- Some of the ground turkey will likely start to cook while it thaws in the microwave, which is why it is easier for bacteria to grow on turkey thawed in this way.
- If the turkey is already partially defrosted, then start with 1 minute per 1 lb (0.45 kg) instead of 2 minutes.
Advertisement Method
You Might Also Like
Co-authored by:
To thaw ground turkey in the fridge, place it in your refrigerator in its original packaging or a sealed, leak-proof container. To avoid contaminating any other foods in the fridge, keep the turkey away from foods in open packages just in case there are any leaks. Depending on how much turkey is in the package and how cold your fridge is, it should take 12-24 hours to thaw completely. Cook the turkey within 1-2 days after it thaws. If you’re in a hurry, you can defrost the turkey in the microwave. Take the turkey out of its packaging and place it on a microwave-safe dish, then defrost it at 50% power for 2 minutes per 1 lb (.45 kg) of turkey. If it’s still partially frozen after 2 minutes, keep microwaving it in 1-minute increments until it’s completely thawed. Cook your ground turkey right away after defrosting it this way. For a defrosting technique that’s faster than the fridge and thaws more evenly than the microwave, place the turkey in a sealed zip-top bag and set it in a container filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes so the turkey doesn’t warm up too much, which could cause harmful bacteria to grow. This method takes about 1 hour per 1 lb (.45 kg) of turkey. Once the turkey is completely thawed, cook it right away. For tips on thawing the meat quickly in your microwave, read on!
How long to defrost turkey mince in microwave?
FAQ
Is it safe to defrost ground turkey in microwave?
How long to defrost 1 lb of ground meat in microwave?
|
Defrost meat by weight
|
Approximate microwave minutes
|
|
1 lb
|
8–10 minutes
|
|
1.5 lb
|
12–15 minutes
|
|
2 lb
|
16–20 minutes
|
|
2.5 lb
|
20–25 minutes
|
How long after defrosting ground turkey should it be cooked?
Can You defrost a frozen turkey in the microwave?
Remove frozen ground turkey from the plastic bag or package before defrosting in the microwave. The ground meat should be completely sealed in a vacuum-sealed package or a plastic bag to use the cold water method. Never use hot water or warm when defrosting in water. Cold tap water is fine but should be changed every 10 minutes.
Can You microwave a thawed ground turkey?
Rotate the meat in the microwave after the first 2 minutes if you need to defrost it longer. This will help it thaw evenly since microwaves have some spots that get hotter than others. Cook the ground turkey right away after it is thawed.
How do you defrost a ground turkey?
Defrost the turkey at 50% power for 2 minutes per 1 lb (0.45 kg). Put the ground turkey in the microwave and set the power to 50%, or use the defrost function. Keep defrosting it in increments of 1 minute if it is still not thawed after the initial cook time.
How long does it take to thaw a pound of Turkey?
The cold water method is not as fast as using the microwave oven but yields better, more even results. Depending on how much you need to defrost and the thickness of the meat in the package, you can thaw a pound of turkey in 15-30 minutes. Place the sealed package of turkey into a large bowl of cold water.