What is the best way to defrost frozen meat?

Question

microwave, leave it out on the counter, run it under hot water?

i forgot to put it in the fridge last night so I did it a few hours ago. But dinner is coming up in a few hours.

Answer 1

dont leave it on the counter and dont place it in hot water. botha no no as bacteria builds. place it in the fridge the night before so by the time you get to it the next day its chilled but thawed out!!!

Answer 2

Can thaw it fairly fast by putting it in or on a thick based aluminum pot or sheet. The aluminum absorbs the cold out of the meat quickly. Don't do this in with high room termp though and make sure that you move it to a different spot and turn it over every few minutes to check it and keep it defrosting evenly. There is even some sort of product sold on tv infomercials that does the same thing but is made specifically for it. Some restaurants have done this for years, but have to make sure that the meat does not get hot without cooking promptly.

Answer 3

Frozen meat will remain safe for quite a while, but the clock begins ticking once the thawing process begins. The first step when you begin to thaw frozen meat is to move the product, packaging and all, from the freezer. Inspect the meat for any obvious signs of contamination - discoloration, unusual odor, or compromised packaging. If everything appears to be okay, place the package in a refrigerator set between 35 and 40°F (approximately 2 to 4.5°C). Place a pan or cookie sheet beneath the package to prevent meat juices from dripping.

When using a refrigerator to thaw frozen meat, allow enough time for the meat to become completely, or at least partially, defrosted. A small package of ground beef may only require a day to thaw, while a large frozen turkey could require up to a week. The refrigerator method is considered a safe way to thaw frozen meat because the cold temperature does not allow bacteria to grow on the surface.

If you need to thaw frozen meat in less time than the refrigerator method, the next safest process is a cold water bath. Make sure the meat is wrapped in its original packaging or rewrapped in plastic before using the cold water method. Excess water in the meat itself may ruin its flavor. Place the packaged frozen meat in a sink compartment or tub containing cold water. As you thaw frozen meat in the sink or other container, you may want to reposition the package from time to time to ensure even defrosting.

Change out the cold water every 30 minutes or so to keep the meat thawing and the water above freezing temperature. Continue until the meat has become almost completely thawed, or at least able to be prepped for cooking. Fish fillets, for example, can still be breaded while partially frozen, but the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Partially thawed frozen beef can still be browned slowly in a pan, as long as the frozen portions are quickly heated above the danger zone for bacterial growth.

A third way to thaw frozen meat is with a microwave oven, but results are notoriously varied. The defrost setting for many microwave ovens is approximately one-third of full power. If you decide to thaw frozen meat in a microwave, you must be careful not to partially cook the meat in the process. If the meat can be crumbled, such as frozen ground beef, use a meat-safe container to collect and refrigerate the defrosted portions as they develop. If the meat is solid, make sure it is cooked within a few hours of microwave defrosting. The partially-cooked meat could become contaminated with bacteria if not used quickly.

Answer 4

When I worked at a bar and grill, we ran our frozen mean under cold water. It thawed it better and faster. Also, take it out the night before you need it, and throw in the fridge then, when you're ready to use it, and it's still not completely thawed, run it under cold water.

Answer 5

The best way is leave it in the fridge overnight. But if you're desperate then run it under a COLD tap, not hot!

Answer 6

use the defrost on your microwave. thats the best way. VERY VERY bad idea to put the meat in water.

Answer 7

Put is the sink fill it with cold tap water not hot. Hot will actually start to slowly cook the outside of the meat.

Answer 8

The best way is to put it in the refrigerator with enough time for it to properly defrost.

Answer 9

Put it on the counter on a stainless steel pan...
Oddly this really does hasten the thawing...I have seen expensive pieces of stainless steel sold for this purpose, but I put it on my stainless counter and it works.
You probably have a frying pan or pot that is made of this...try it and let me know..

Answer 10

Not hot water.....COOL water!
The best way is to leave it overnight in the fridge.