**For best results, use oil-free marinades. Marinades containing oil can be used, but they may shorten the turkey’s shelf life—so consider your intended use and storage timeline before choosing.
How to Dehydrate Ground Turkey
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Packed with lean protein, dehydrated ground turkey is perfect for backpacking meals and convenient home cooking. Once rehydrated, it can be used in tacos, pasta sauces, chili, stir-fries, and casseroles—any dish that calls for cooked ground meat.
Snapshot
Special Prep
Pan fry or cook,
marinate (optional)
Temperature
160°F
Time
6-8 hours
Mass Change
Approx 50% decrease
How to prep ground turkey for dehydrating
Ground turkey must be cooked before dehydrating. Cook meat in a frying pan (avoid using any oils; water is a great alternative). Once cooked, drain well and, if needed, use a paper towel to pat excess oil before dehydrating. If you still find it to be quite greasy, you can lightly rinse with water.Â
Pro tip 1:
It’s best to use lean or extra lean ground turkey. Fattier meat will take much longer to dehydrate and also runs the risk of going rancid or spoiling sooner.Â
Pro tip 2:
If you’re dehydrating ground turkey for a specific meal and want to infuse it with a particular flavour using liquid seasonings or marinade:
Marinate or season the ground turkey either before or after cooking for the best flavour absorption before dehydrating. This will lock the flavour right into the turkey, eliminating the need to pack out sauces, or having to create a dehydrated version of the sauce.Â
How to dehydrate ground turkey
Basic Steps:
- Pan fry the ground turkey. Avoid using any oils in the pan (some water if is a great alternative if needed). Stir well to break up the pieces into small and relatively equal size.
- Once cooked, drain any fat and, if needed, use a paper towel to pat and absorb excess fat (excess fat increases drying time and decreases shelf life).
- Arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the turkey (although unrealistic to not have any pieces touching or overlapping, avoid as much as possible)Â
- Place in dehydrator and dehydrate at 160°F for about 6 hours
It’s that easy!
Notes:
- 1lb raw ground turkey will yield about 3 cups cooked ground turkey, which yields about 1.5 cups dehydrated
- A mesh liner is required for ground turkey
- Dehydrating times may vary (the water and fat content in the turkey, as well as the humidity and altitude of where you live in impact the time)
- If desired, marinate or add your liquid seasonings before or after cooking the turkey (but before dehydrating)
- To learn more about dehydrating, check out our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics
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How do you know when ground turkey is fully dehydrated?
Turkey will be dry to the touch, and will harden all the way through. It will be difficult to break with your hands; cut a piece with a knife or scissors to ensure no moisture is trapped in the centre.Â
Jar test: If eager, you can place your ground turkey in a glass jar and tightly close the lid. If you notice moisture or condensation forming in the jar within 24-48 hours (or if the ground turkey becomes spongy) you know there is still moisture and more dehydrating time is needed.Â
Note: You technically can’t over dehydrate cooked ground turkey. If in doubt, dehydrate until you’re absolutely certain there’s no moisture left.Â
Fresh to dehydrated conversion measurements ​
60%
The mass and weight of ground turkey decreases by about 60% once dehydrated.
Ex. 1 cup cooked ground turkey:
- Pre-dehydrated:Â 120g | 1 cupÂ
- Dehydrated: 45g | 1/2 cupÂ
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How to store dehydrated ground turkey:
Here are some tips to help you maximize the shelf life of your dehydrated ground turkey:
- Allow to cool after dehydrating before storingÂ
- Keep stored in a sealable container or bag in a cool, dry and dark place
- Using Mylar bags or vacuum sealing can extend the shelf life by up to three times its normal duration! This is useful if you’re prepping lots for longer term use. Learn the pros and cons of each in our post: The Ultimate Guide to Long-Term Food Storage: Mylar Bags vs. Vacuum Sealing (Bags & Jars)
When dried and stored properly, dehydrated turkey should have a shelf life of 1-2 months, 6 months in the fridge, to a couple of years in the freezer.Â
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Some of our recipes with dehydrated ground turkey:
Rehydrating Dehydrated Ingredients
When & Why to Rehydrate Dehydrated Ingredients
Knowing how much water to use for rehydration is essential for getting the best texture and flavour out of your dehydrated foods. Some ingredients are best rehydrated just before use, while others can absorb enough liquid during cooking – it all depends on how you’re using them!Â
For Dehydrated Meal Prep
- When preparing dehydrated meals for outdoor adventures, understanding the water requirements for different ingredients ensures you add just the right amount, giving you confidence in your meal creativity and preparation.
Before Cooking or Baking
- If a recipe doesn’t contain much liquid – such as stir-fries or casseroles – rehydrating beforehand prevents ingredients from staying too tough
- Pre-soaking reduces cooking time, especially for hard ingredients like beans or root vegetables
- Certain dehydrated ingredients (such as whole mushrooms or tomatoes) regain a better texture and flavour if rehydrated before cooking
- Rehydrated ingredients absorb flavors more easily when cooked, making dishes more flavorful
- Baking: Ingredients like dried fruits can be rehydrated to have a softer texture and to prevent them from drawing moisture out of the dough or batter
For Eating Raw
- If you’re eating the dehydrated ingredients uncooked, but prefer a softer texture (such as using dehydrated fruits or vegetables in a salad)
Rehydrating dehydrated ground turkey:
Dehydrated ground turkey to water ratio is typically 1 : 0.75
 Per 1 cup of dehydrated ground turkey:
Quick Simmer
- Add 3/4 cup water and bring to a boil
- Turn down heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes
- Turn off or remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes
Just Add Hot Water
- Add 3/4 cup boiling water and stir
- Let soak for 20-30 minutes
Add water & refrigerate
- Add 3/4 cup water and stir
- Allow to cool, place in fridge and let soak for 24 hours
Note: it’s important to not let sit for more than 30 minutes in room temperature because of the risk of bacteria growth.Â
FAQs
Can I use an oven to dehydrate ground turkey?
Not unless your oven can maintain a low temperature of around 160°F (71°C). Ground turkey needs to be dehydrated at this temperature to dry properly. If the temperature is too high, you risk  “case hardening,” where the outer layer hardens, trapping moisture inside and preventing proper drying.
How to Dehydrate Ground Turkey
Packed with lean protein, dehydrated ground turkey is perfect for backpacking meals and convenient home cooking. Once rehydrated, it can be used in tacos, pasta sauces, chili, stir-fries, and casseroles—any dish that calls for cooked ground meat.
Notable Equipment
- 1 Dehydrator
Ingredients
- lean ground turkey
Instructions
- 1. Pan fry the ground turkey. Avoid using any oils in the pan (some water if is a great alternative if needed). Stir well to break up the pieces into small and relatively equal size.
- 2. Once cooked, drain any fat and, if needed, use a paper towel to pat and absorb excess fat (excess fat increases drying time and decreases shelf life).
- 3. Arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the turkey (although unrealistic to not have any pieces touching or overlapping, avoid as much as possible)Â
- 4. Place in dehydrator and dehydrate at 160°F for about 6-8 hours
Notes
- Turkey is considered a higher-risk ingredient when it comes to at-home dehydrating for long-term storage. For added food safety, consider storing your dehydrated turkey in the freezer until you’re ready to use it. To learn more about high risk ingredients, check out our post Dehydrating Dont’s: Foods to Avoid and Ingredients to Handle With Care
- 1lb raw ground turkey will yield about 3 cups cooked ground turkey, which yields about 1.5 cups dehydrated
- A mesh liner is required for ground turkey
- Dehydrating times may vary (the water and fat content in the turkey, as well as the humidity and altitude of where you live in impact the time)
- If desired, marinate or add your liquid seasonings before or after cooking the turkey (but before dehydrating)
- To learn more about dehydrating, check out our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics
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The Foodie Behind the Screen
Hi there! I'm Bri. I'm sharing my love for cooking - and the outdoors - one recipe at a time.
