This site contains affiliate links. Please see Policies for more information.
If I’m honest, once I figured out how to cook frozen ground turkey in the Instant Pot, it was quickly my favorite way to make it. The pressure the Instant Pot creates infuses the seasoning right into the cooked meat. Less mess, less time, less planning, and more flavor.
If you like the look of this easy Instant Pot recipe, you’ll love our Instant Pot Burrito Bowl or this recipe for Philly Cheese Steak Pasta.
Why I Love Cooking Frozen Ground Turkey in the Instant Pot
This method isn’t necessarily “instant,” but I love that pressure cooking is something I can walk away from for a bit and allow to cook on its own.
Enjoy!
– Becca
Ingredients to Cook Frozen Ground Turkey
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Ground meat: Frozen ground turkey or chicken both cook the same in the Instant Pot. I’ve used both 1 pound packages as well as the larger 1.75-2 pound packs from Sam’s and Costco. See notes below for the different cooking times.
How to Cook Turkey from Frozen in the Instant Pot
You’ll need about 40 minutes for this recipe. These directions work for an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or any other brand of electric pressure cooker.
Step 1: Pour 1/2 cup of cold water (or stock) into the bottom of the pot and then add your frozen ground turkey.
You’re using a bit less liquid than usual for this recipe because the frozen turkey will also produce a bit of liquid.
Step 2: Top the meat with any seasonings you like.
Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to the sealed position. Set the cook time for 15 minutes for 1 pound of meat or 20 minutes for 2 pounds of meat and cook on high pressure.
Step 3: Once the cook time is up, quick release the pressure and remove the lid. Steam will come out.
Your ground meat will be thawed at this point but not all the way cooked. Be careful when pressing your cooking utensil into the meat for the first time, as some water will release. Pressing your utensil into the meat slowly will help with this.
Step 4: Turn your pot to Sauté (high). Use a spatula to gently break apart your meat into crumbles while the meat continues to cook.
Stir well to incorporate all of the seasonings and continue to sauté until most of the liquid has cooked out.
Want to Save This Recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Recipe Tips
- If making a dish that requires tomato sauce, such as chili, you can add that to the top of your ground turkey when it’s frozen. Just don’t put tomato sauce on the bottom of your pot under the meat or you’ll get the Instant Pot burn notice. Also note that when adding tomato sauce, don’t leave the liquid out–you need that too.
- Sometimes I think the seasonings are absorbed into the meat a bit more when cooking this way, so you might want to add extra seasonings to your meat after it’s sautéed.
- Don’t have enough in the freezer? These tips for how to stretch ground beef work with ground turkey as well!
Instant Pot Frozen Turkey FAQs
Yes! It is recommended that when you cook ground turkey from frozen that you use a method like an Instant Pot to ensure even cooking.
You will need about 40 minutes from start to finish. The actual cooking time varies depending on how much ground turkey you’re using, but the time it takes for the pot to come to pressure and then also cook takes around 40 minutes.
Any ground meat you prefer, but I prefer frozen ground turkey in most recipes. I love cooking frozen turkey in the Instant Pot because you can put everything in and walk away until it’s finished. I prefer to use ground poultry when I can because of the lower saturated fat.
Got beef? You can find tips here for how to cook frozen ground beef in Instant Pot.
This Breakfast Casserole Recipe with Potatoes, these Healthy Baked Beans, or this Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe are all great options to use frozen ground turkey in.
Healthy Eating Plans
21 Day Fix Containers
Each 3/4 cup serving counts as 1 Red Container.
Weight Watchers Points
When using extra lean ground turkey each 4 ounce serving counts as 0 Points.
2B Mindset
In addition to this meat, fill your plate with 75% FFC for a complete breakfast. Fill your plate with 50% veggies and 25% FFC for a complete lunch, or add 75% veggies for a complete dinner.
If you tried this recipe for How to Cook Frozen Ground Turkey in the Instant Pot or any other recipe on my site please leave a rating and let me know how it went in the comments!
How to Cook Frozen Ground Turkey in the Instant Pot
Want to Save This Recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 qt
- Instant Pot Trivet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey extra lean
- seasonings optional, can be found in post
- ½ cup water
Taco Seasoning
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano dried
- 1 tsp cilantro dried
Chili Seasoning
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
Italian Seasonings
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Pour water into the bottom of the Instant Pot, then place the frozen turkey and top it with your seasonings. 1/2 cup water 1 lb ground turkey seasonings
- Close and lock the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to sealing.
- Pressure cook High for 15 minutes.
- Once your cook time is complete quick release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Set your pot to saute and use a spatula to crumble your meat.
- Add any (optional) extra seasonings now and saute until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Make This Recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum
This recipe is a winner and will be the only way I cook frozen ground turkey from now on. So simple. Thank you.
This recipe is a winner and is now my go to method for cooking ground turkey. Thank you!!
Thank you! This looks super easy, I’ll have to try it this week. I have a 3lb frozen ground turkey, how much water and how long for 3lb?
Mine burned. The cooking time is too long for this recipe
I’m sorry to hear this! I’ve used this recipe every week or two for a few years. How much meat were you cooking, and was it partially defrosted already? Also, did you add liquid?
My ground turkey was moist! I will never wait to defrost meat again ever thank you so much. This was so helpful.
There must be something wrong with the cooking time in your recipe. I followed it exactly as written, which at the time of my reading was pressure cooking high for 15 minutes, and what I got as the end result was a rubber square of what used to be turkey that couldn’t be crumbled at all, like I couldn’t even push a meat crumbling tool into it. Entire pound of pasture raised ground turkey wasted. Ended up chopping it up with a knife and giving it to my dogs as there’s absolutely nothing I could do with it. So disappointed!
Hi there! I’m sorry this didn’t work for you. It sounds like either your pot is cooking super fast or maybe you have a smaller pot? 15 minutes for frozen ground turkey is my magic number for both of my pots.
My 1.5 lb turkey turned out the same as MJBs
:(
Hoping to salvage it.
Hi, I’m sorry these times didn’t work out for you. I use this recipe weekly and would love to help you troubleshoot it.
What size pot do you have?
How much water\liquid did you use?
What’s your elevation?
How long to cook fresh ground turkey in instant pot? I cannot find the answer anywhere online.
Hi Matt,
For fresh ground turkey we usually just cook it in sauté mode until it’s browned and no longer pink.