How can I quickly thaw ground beef?

Question

I have about a pound of ground beef that I took out of the freezer two hours ago, but its still mostly frozen. I'm trying to use it to make some chili, so I need some ways to get it un-frozen ASAP.

By the way, this ground beef has been in the freezer for about a week and a half(it was put in there almost immediately after buying it), its still good to use, right?

I don't have a microwave (poor college student in tiny apartment).

Answer 1

put it in a ziplock bag...then place it in cold water...keep changing water...as it will get cold...before you know it...it will be thawed....or you can put it in a pan on low heat.....covered...it will unthaw pretty fast...just remember..low heat

Answer 2

The best answer was adding water to a pot or pan and cooking it. Thawing with warm water or cold sitting water is dangerous and stupid. Bacteria grow best between 41 and 135 degrees. Cold running tap water is acceptable as it does not allow water to sit and become an extra breeding ground for the bacteria. The three preferred methods fro thawing are below 41 degrees in fridge, in cold running tap water, or in the microwave. That applies to all food products not just ground beef.

Answer 3

You can do one of 2 things. I routinely do either and have never had any ill effects due to the cooking process.
Once is place ground beef in plastic bag and place into a bowl with cold water. Change every 1/2 hour until thawed flipping meat each time. The other thing is to put it into your pot with about 1 cup of water and cover. Checking periodically so that you can scrape away the outer layers as they cook. Drain and use accordingly.

Answer 4

A lot of people will disagree but here's what I do, put the frozen ground beef in the pan and start cooking at a med. heat, turn it when it starts to brown , keep doing this, as it thaws break it up into smaller chunks with a spatula, it will be ready for chili in about 30 minutes.....and yes, it's still good

Answer 5

How To Defrost Ground Beef

Answer 6

Go to your favourite supermarket and buy some fresh meat and use that for now. No worries as far as losing the nutritional value or ruining the taste. Then, let your current pound of beef thaw out slowly in the fridge and cook with it later.

Answer 7

Well, thawing it, ain't healthy. Been there, done that. Here is a suggestion, after you buy your meat, separate it into portions that you'll use for the next meals....it'll be easier and so you don't have to thaw the big package like 5 times. YOU GET SICK DOING THAT, just make smaller portions for next meal. Does that answer your question?

Answer 8

In a plastic bag under slow running cold water. NOT hot water as that can cause it to spoil and forget the microwave, you want to thaw it not cook it.

Answer 9

it is perfectly safe to cook it from frozen. I would recommend a dry frying pan on a medium heat , put in your solid lump of beef, turn over every 30 seconds or so and scrape off the brown cooked stuff. keep doing this till totally defrosted then contunue to cook in whatever form required

Answer 10

You can keep stuff in your freezer for up to 6 months. Your microwave should have a dethaw setting on it, use that.

Answer 11

yes its good
run some very hot water into a sink and put the beef there