How to Microwave Ground Turkey (2024)

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How to Microwave Ground Turkey

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Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

1-2 mins

Free Time

to make weeknight tacos

Cooking ground turkey in the microwave is shockingly easy and healthy. Just add a little water, chicken stock, or milk, and you can steam the ground turkey perfectly. This way, the meat stays juicy and tender, plus it's lower in fat compared to other meats. No need for oil, making your cooking cleaner and lighter. Perfect for tacos, bolognese, and more!

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

Anyday Basics, Anyday Basics, Rice & Grains, ground turkey, meal prep, new recipes_1, Turkey Anyday Basics, Rice & Grains

What You’ll Need

The Small Dish

This dish’s superpower is evenly heating leftovers and cooking small portions.

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts,dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!

Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

Ingredients

4 oz (125g) ground turkey
1 tablespoon water, milk or stock

Preparation

Add the ground turkey and water to the Anyday and mix until the water is fully incorporated. The liquid will help break down the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
Cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir the meat halfway through the cooking time, breaking down the turkey into smaller pieces. The turkey is cooked when it’s firm, pale, and no pink juices remain.
Break down the meat into even smaller pieces and use a slotted spoon to discard the cooking liquids, if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Serving suggestions & tips

Add paprika, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, or any ready-to-use seasoning packs to enhance the flavors.
Add fresh herbs, chopped garlic, diced onions, and peppers for a quick sauce base or empanada filling.
Turn it into a topping for salads, rice bowls, or pasta casseroles.

Recipe notes

Other ground meats such as beef, chicken, lamb, and even pork will work well, and you can even combine them if youd like.
Even with added liquid, some meat lumps may occur. Break down the meat as it cooks using a fork.
Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Ground Turkey

See for yourself— microwaving ground turkey is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance	Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish	5 mins
Stovetop*	10-15 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)*	15-20 mins

*Includes preheat time

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All You Need to Know About Microwaving Ground Turkey

How long does take to cook ground turkey in the microwave?

Ingredient	Water	Cook Time
4 oz (125g) ground turkey	1 tablespoon water, milk or stock	2-3 mins
8 oz (225g) ground turkey	2 tablespoons water, milk or stock	3 mins
12 oz (350g) ground turkey	3 tablespoons water, milk, or stock	4-5 mins
16 oz (450g) ground turkey	1/4 cup (120ml) water, milk or stock	5-6 mins
24 oz (680g) ground turkey	1/3 cup (80ml) water, milk or stock	10-11 mins
32 oz (907g) ground turkey	1/2 cup (120ml) water, milk or stock	13-14 mins

Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

Is it safe to steam ground turkey in the microwave?

Yes, cooking in the microwave is very safe as long as you fully cook the meat. Steaming ground turkey is also a healthy option! It’s naturally lower in fat compared to other ground proteins, and the microwave doesn’t require oil or fat to cook.

Why do I need to add liquid when cooking ground turkey?

All proteins tend to clump together when cooking in the microwave. Ground turkey has a tendency to stick to itself even more than other ground meats like beef or lamb. We found that by adding liquid, it helps keep the meat more separated while it cooks so that it becomes easier to break apart. The more liquid you add, the smaller the lumps. The only risk in adding more liquid is diluted flavor, so be sure to make up for it by seasoning properly.

Why is there liquid in my Anyday after cooking ground turkey?

The leftover liquid in the Anyday after cooking is made of a blend of the initially added liquid, steam condensation generated during the cooking process, and any juices released from the meat. Even when cooking meat without additional liquid, a small amount of liquid may accumulate. To separate it, you can either strain it or use a slotted spoon.

How to freeze microwave-cooked ground turkey?

To freeze microwaved ground turkey, begin by microwaving the meat and allow it to cool. Transfer the cooked meat into 1/2 cup Anytime Freezer Trays, and freeze it for future use. Cooked ground turkey can be frozen with added vegetables, or other ingredients such as sauces and seasonings for quick meal helpers.

Can I reheat frozen cooked ground turkey?

Place as many pucks of frozen ground turkey as needed in the Anyday and reheat for 1-2 minutes per puck or until heated through. Once reheated, season to taste or add to sauces, and casseroles or use as topping or taco fillings.