3 Ways To Thaw Ground Turkey - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Thaw Ground Turkey PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Letting Ground Turkey Thaw in the Fridge 2 Defrosting Ground Turkey in the Microwave 3 Thawing Ground Turkey with Cold Water Other Sections VideoWATCH NOW Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by JoAnna Minneci

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

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This article was co-authored by JoAnna Minneci. JoAnna Minneci is a retired Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specialized in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control. This article has been viewed 307,608 times.

When you want to thaw ground turkey, there are 3 safe methods of doing so to avoid harmful bacteria growth. Choose whichever method is easiest for you, depending on the amount of time you have to let the turkey thaw and when you plan to cook it. Also, remember that it’s okay to cook ground turkey straight from the freezer if you’re short on time!

Fastest Way to Thaw Ground Turkey

Put the ground turkey on a microwave-safe plate or dish, then put it in the microwave. Set the power to 50% or use the defrost function for 2 minutes. Keep heating the turkey in 1-minute increments until it is completely thawed. Cook the ground turkey right away after it thaws to minimize bacterial growth.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Letting Ground Turkey Thaw in the Fridge

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  1. Step 1 Place the frozen ground turkey in the fridge in its package or a leak-proof dish. 1 Place the frozen ground turkey in the fridge in its package or a leak-proof dish. Make sure that the ground turkey is in sealed packaging so that it does not leak as it thaws. Place the ground turkey, in its packaging, in a dish or a plastic bag just in case it leaks.[1] [2]
    • Put the ground turkey on a shelf or in a drawer in your fridge away from any open foods, such as fruits and vegetables, just in case there are any leaks.
    • Never thaw frozen ground turkey on the counter because bacteria can develop on the outer parts of the meat that warm up first.
  2. Step 2 Leave the ground turkey in the fridge for up to a day until it thaws. 2 Leave the ground turkey in the fridge for up to a day until it thaws. The time the turkey takes to thaw will vary based on the temperature of your refrigerator. Even 1 lb (0.45 kg) of ground turkey will take 12-24 hours to thaw.[3]
    • The back and bottom of the fridge generally stay the coldest. Cold air sinks to the bottom, and warm air rushes in the front of the fridge every time you open the door.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Thaw Ground Turkey 3 Cook the ground turkey within 1-2 days after it thaws. The ground turkey will stay good up to 2 days after it thaws. Refreeze it within this timeframe if you will not be able to cook it all.
    • If you don’t want to wait until the turkey is thawed all the way, keep in mind that it is perfectly safe to cook it while it is still all or partly frozen. It will just take about 50% longer to cook this way than thawed ground turkey.
    • You can also finish thawing the turkey in a dish of cold water or in the microwave.
    • Keep in mind that the meat will begin to lose quality the more you thaw and refreeze it. This is due to loss of moisture every time you thaw it.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Defrosting Ground Turkey in the Microwave

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Thaw Ground Turkey 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 don't 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.
  2. Step 2 Defrost the turkey at 50% power for 2 minutes per 1 lb (0.45 kg). 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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Thaw Ground Turkey 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.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Thawing Ground Turkey with Cold Water

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  1. Step 1 Place the ground turkey in a sealed plastic bag. 1 Place the ground turkey in a sealed plastic bag. Take the turkey out of its store packaging and put it in a plastic bag with a zipper seal, or other hermetic plastic bag. Make sure the meat is completely sealed inside the bag to prevent bacteria and water from getting in.[7]
    • This method of thawing is much faster than letting the turkey thaw in the fridge, but requires you to pay more attention during the process.
    • Thawing ground turkey in cold water will defrost it more evenly than in a microwave because the temperature is even all around.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Thaw Ground Turkey 2 Place the bag with the turkey in a big bowl or container and fill it with cold water. Make sure the bowl or container is large enough that you can completely submerge the bag with the turkey. Fill it almost to the top with cold water and set it in the sink or on a counter.[8]
    • Never use hot water to thaw ground turkey because this will greatly increase the likelihood of dangerous bacteria.
  3. Step 3 Leave the turkey for at least 1 hour and change the water every 30 minutes. 3 Leave the turkey for at least 1 hour and change the water every 30 minutes. It will take about 1 hour for every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of ground turkey to thaw. Change the water every half hour to make sure it stays cold and reduce the risk of bacteria growth.
    • Set an alarm on your phone or a watch to remind you to check on the turkey and change the water.
    • If the turkey is already partially thawed, then it might only take 30 minutes to finish thawing it in cold water.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Thaw Ground Turkey 4 Cook the turkey as soon as it has thawed completely. You will need to cook the ground turkey right away to avoid potential bacteria growth. Put any cooked leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
    • Remember that it is okay to cook the turkey even if it has not thawed completely. The frozen parts will just take a bit longer to cook, but you can do this if you don’t want to wait for it to thaw all the way.
    • If the turkey is not thawing fast enough in the water, you can finish defrosting it in the microwave.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Can I cook slightly frozen ground turkey? JoAnna Minneci JoAnna Minneci Professional Chef JoAnna Minneci is a retired Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specialized in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control. JoAnna Minneci JoAnna Minneci Professional Chef Expert Answer You can if the frozen part is small enough! For example, if you're cooking a pound of ground turkey meat, a golf ball-sized frozen chunk will break up quickly enough during the cooking process. If it's bigger than that, you can thaw the meat in the microwave—just be sure to cook it immediately afterward. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
  • Question How long of a shelf life does ground turkey have after defrosting? Michele Michele Top Answerer Like any meat, defrost it in the fridge, below 40° F. It should last for 2 - 3 days past the sell-by date. If you wrote the date you put it into the freezer, you know exactly how long you can keep it. Example: You froze it 3 days before the sell by date. You can keep it for 5 - 6 days in the fridge. If not, don't let it sit for more than 2 - 3, max. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
  • Question How long does it take to defrost 1.25 lb of turkey in the microwave? Michele Michele Top Answerer The best way is to plan ahead and thaw it in the fridge the day prior. You can submerge the turkey, in its bag, changing the water every 30 minutes. This will take about 30 minutes per pound. It is quicker than the refrigerator, but requires more of your time. Keeping it under running water will reduce the time to defrost but will waste a lot of water. Not good, especially if you're in a drought area. Meat should not really be thawed in the microwave, but if you have no choice, you can use it; check your owner's manual for the minutes per pound and power level, and cook immediately after. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 6
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Warnings

  • Never thaw ground turkey on the counter or with hot water. Always cook it right after thawing, unless you thaw it in the fridge. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ JoAnna Minneci. Professional Chef. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/9
  3. ↑ JoAnna Minneci. Professional Chef. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/how-to-defrost-ground-turkey.html
  5. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
  6. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/9
  7. ↑ http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/how-to-defrost-ground-turkey.html
  8. ↑ http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/how-to-defrost-ground-turkey.html

About This Article

JoAnna Minneci Co-authored by: JoAnna Minneci Professional Chef This article was co-authored by JoAnna Minneci. JoAnna Minneci is a retired Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specialized in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control. This article has been viewed 307,608 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 307,608 Categories: Basic Cooking Skills | Food Preparation Article SummaryX

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! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. JoAnna Minneci Co-authored by: JoAnna Minneci Professional Chef Co-authors: 10 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 307,608 100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

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