Making dinner for the family requires time and planning. Thawing the meat, such as ground turkey, is one of the most important steps to preparing a meal while keeping the food safe and the family free from foodborne illness. Ground turkey stays safe in the freezer, but when it comes time to thaw, bacteria starts to grow when temperatures become warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, defrosting ground turkey meat requires specific steps to keep your family safe.
Step 1
Move the frozen ground turkey meat to the refrigerator. You can place the meat in a bowl or on a plate to prevent any liquid from spilling in the refrigerator. Defrosting the ground turkey meat typically takes 24 hours for every 5 lbs. of meat and remains safe for one to two days after thawing.
Step 2
Place the frozen ground turkey meat in a freezer bag and submerge into a sink of cold water. Cold-water thawing requires attention to ensure no water enters the freezer bag, along with changing the water every 30 minutes. Small packages should defrost in 60 minutes or less, with 3- to 4-lb. packages taking two to three hours.
Step 3
Thaw the frozen ground turkey meat in the microwave. Remove any metal pieces from the packaging and use a microwave-safe bowl or plate. Cook the turkey meat immediately after defrosting to prevent bacteria.
Step 4
Cook the frozen ground turkey meat. You can cook the frozen meat to defrost during the cooking process. Cooking time will increase about 50 percent, but it eliminates the additional step for defrosting.
Things You'll Need
- Refrigerator
- Freezer bag
- Cold water
- Microwave
Member Comments