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How to Defrost Turkey Breast in Microwave

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Raw or cooked turkey breast as long as in frozen conditional it can stay safe for an extended shelf life. After defrosting, the bacteria that initially was present before the freezing process began to multiply. 

For this reason, turkey breast is thawed safely using a microwave. By doing so, fully thawed turkey breast takes 50% less time to reheat turkey in the microwave compared to frozen ones.

How do you defrost turkey breast in microwave? Place the turkey breast on a microwave-safe dish, select defrost setting and microwave for 6 minutes per pound.

At every 1 minute intervals, turn the breast over and continue to defrost for the recommended time. Once the turkey is fully thawed, cook the turkey breast right away using the preferred cooking method.

Before defrosting a frozen turkey breast in the microwave, read the owner brand manual for the size of the turkey breast being defrosted and check whether the size can fits inside the appliance. 

Once this is done, check the pounds of the frozen turkey breast and calculate the time to be taken, which is typically based on minutes per pound and the microwave’s power level when defrosting the frozen turkey breast.

Thawing turkey breast is slightly different than defrosting a whole turkey. It require different defrosting time to fully bring to room temperature. 

This article narrows down how exactly to use a microwave for defrosting a turkey breast. Answered below are frequently asked questions about microwave tips for defrosting a frozen turkey breast quickly.

Can you defrost turkey breast in the microwave?

Yes, defrosting a turkey breast can be done on the microwave. Defrosting frozen meat in a microwave is safe, easy to do and time saving. 

In general, it takes about 6 minutes per pound to defrost frozen turkey breast, however this will depend on the thickness of the piece and the wattage of the appliance.

How long does it take to thaw frozen turkey breast in the microwave?

It typically takes 6 minutes per point to that frozen turkey breast. Thawing time will depend on the method used to defrost, the wattage of the microwave and size of the frozen turkey breast being microwaved.

When using a microwave to thaw a frozen turkey breast, 6 minutes for every pound of turkey breast is a general thawing guideline. Ensure the microwave is on the defrosting function, and the frozen turkey breast is placed in a microwave-safe container or plate. 

If the appliance starts to heat up and the frozen turkey breast begins cooking instead of thawing, allow it to settle for 5 minutes before resuming the defrosting process.

How long does it take to defrost 7lb turkey breast in the microwave?

A 7lb frozen turkey breast takes roughly 42 minutes to defrost in the microwave. Use 5 minutes increments and flip or rotate the breast after each duration.  

In general, I find that the calculations over exceed the amount of time once the weight reaches above 2 or 3 pounds. Use 5 minutes intervals on the defrost setting and allow for a couple minutes in-between each duration so that the frozen meat doesn’t begin to overheat.

Tips to defrost turkey breast in microwave

Defrosting turkey breast in the microwave can be quite challenging depending on the amount, thickness and the appliance wattage. It is more difficult when trying to thaw as a whole piece, so cut into small cubes or chunks to defrost even faster. 

There are more microwave tips to defrost turkey breast quickly. Keep in mind these following precaution when performing the defrosting process.

  • Adjust, the power level to defrost, and calculate pounds of frozen turkey breast per minute.
  • Use a microwave-safe bowl to capture any juices that might leak out.
  • Defrost 1 pound of frozen turkey breast for 6 minutes using 1 minute intervals to prevent from cooking.
  • Rotate the turkey breast several times during the defrosting process to ensure equal distribution of heat.
  • Instead of continuous defrosting, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before resuming the defrosting process.
  • Avoid defrosting already thawed turkey breast. This can cause bacteria to multiply rapidly, which results in food poisoning when handled unsafely.

Best way to defrost turkey breast in microwave 

When defrosting the turkey breast in the microwave, start by reading the manual for defrosting instructions provided by the manufacturer. Modern appliances have defrost function that automatically calculates time based on the weight.

Place the frozen turkey breast in a microwave-safe dish and use a Ziploc bag to capture any juices that may leak. Set the microwave to defrost power setting, and calculate 6 minutes per pound of defrosting time. 

Flip and rotate the turkey breast as the defrosting process continues to ensure uniform distribution of heat across all parts of the turkey breast. If the turkey breast starts to cook instead of thawing, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before resuming the defrosting process. 

After the defrosting operation is complete, the turkey breast is to be cooked immediately. The longer the thawed turkey breast remains at room temperature, the more bacteria multiply and potentially lead to food borne illness.

A defrosted turkey breast is cooked faster and more evenly than a frozen cooked directly from the freezer. The turkey breast is said to be ready to be cooked when its internal temperature reaches between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to defrost turkey breast in microwave

Defrosting Turkey Breast in Microwave: Conclusion

Defrosting frozen turkey breast can save time for both reheating and cooking. That is why every cook advises to thaw meat completely before heating.

Before starting to defrost turkey breast in the microwave, measure the weight of the meat. This will help to identify the correct defrosting time to prevent from cooking.

Transfer the desired amount of turkey breast to a microwave-safe plate. It the plate is too shallow, wrap with plastic wrap to prevent from leaking juice while defrosting.

Microwave on defrost for 6 minutes per pound. At every 1 minute interval, rotate the turkey to the other side and continue microwaving to ensure even thawing on all sides. 

Repeat the process for a total of 6 minute per pound and check the internal temperature reaches 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be ready to cook. Once the turkey breast is fully thawed, immediately cook or reheat to 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit prior to serving. 

No matter the size, you can effectively defrost frozen turkey breast in a microwave. The process is quick and easy to do, and within a few minutes the thawed turkey breast is ready to cook or reheat.