Is it OK to let meat de-freeze itself on the counter, after being in the freezer or will it get E coli?

Question

OR SHOULD

I DEFREEZE IT IN A FASTER WAY?

Answer 1

Ecoli is fecal (poop)contamination...it most often happens in the processing (slaughter, grinding, or packaging). It can come to you e coli -free, but if you haven't washed your hands or food prep surfaces, you can introduce the contaminants. Here's the deal, when you leave the meat out on the counter, the higher temperature exposure acts as a catalyst for the already present bacteria. The idea behind defrosting foods in the fridge and then preparing and cooking to the appropriate temperature is to keep the bacteria count at a low enough level to avoid illness. Most meat products that we consume have some degree of contamination, it's just that the number of colonies are low enough for our bodies to process without making us heave or have diarrhea.

Answer 2

Well I do it all the time. Never been sick but the correct way to defrost any meat is gradually inside the fridge, (takes a lot of time) or under cool running water, which it the fastest way of course that is if you are no not using a microwave.

Answer 3

Take your meat out of the freezer the NIGHT before and let it defrost in the refrigerator. Or, use the defrost on the microwave when you are ready to cook.

Answer 4

I've defrosted my meat like that for 25 years and never had a problem. When it comes to a turkey or chicken you can fill a sink with cold water and keep changing the water out until it gets thawed out.

Answer 5

My favorite way to defrost meat is by putting it in cool to warm water in my sink 2-3 hours before I need it.

Answer 6

It MUST be defrosted on the bottom self of the fridge or defrosted in the microwave.

Answer 7

Not a recommended practice. Use the microwave or leave it in the fridge for a day or 2.

Answer 8

Ideally, meat should be defrosted in the refrigerator or microwave.