How do I defrost only a few pieces of steak out of a package of 10? Can you cut through frozen steak?

Question

I froze a package of steak (about 10-12) and I only want to defrost a couple. If I defrost all, I'd have to cook them right away. Once I defrost them, I can't put them back in the freezer right? What are my options if I don't want to cook all at once?

Answer 1

maybe with a cleaver

Answer 2

If you have frozen them not stacked on top of each other but laid out I would take the package- one hand on either end and smack the middle down hard against the counter edge and break it in two. This method works well for something like a pkg of bacon or sausage as well. For bacon put one hand on either end of the pkg- rap sharply in the middle -break the pkg into two halves and cook one.
Frozen meat breaks apart pretty well along the cut if you hit it. This is easier and safer if it works than sawing at it with a knife.
If it is stacked you can thaw for a while until one or two on top are loosened, pry them off and put the rest back in the freezer.
If not thawed and left to sit it is not a health issue but a quality issue.
So the other thing you could do is thaw them, cook the steaks you want and cut up the rest to make stew or texas chili which will then keep for a bit in the fridge.

Answer 3

Defrost Steaks

Answer 4

Take the package of steaks, hold it on it's side so the steaks that are frozen together are vertical.
Then take a knife, put the tip on the area between 2 steaks. Take the whole thing in a group, up, and then slam it onto the counter with the knife staying there and it should slice down in between the steaks loosening them up so you can separate them. You have to hang onto the knife with one hand and the steaks with the other hand.
Then if the knife didn't loosen them up completely you can just kind of jab it in till it works. It may take more than one slam onto the counter.
I do this all the time and with ground beef patties also. It is a lot easier if the meat has some paper or plastic stuff between them.
I do this all the time and it works on ground beef patties too.

Answer 5

Defrost the steaks at room temp. only until you can break them apart...Keep out the ones you want to cook and repackage the rest to go back into the freezer. You should be able to separate them while they are still partially frozen.

Answer 6

You can let them defrost a couple of hours which may give enough leeway to work the pieces off that you want. And yes, depending on your knife (electric works best) you can cut through frozen meat.

Answer 7

If the steaks are packed in vertically (like hamburgers), pour room temperature water at the point where the steaks are frozen together (NOT all of them!), where you want to separate them. Or, if it's a flat package, reseal them with freezer wrap and store with a date label on them.

Answer 8

You are correct... once thawed, they must be cooked before being refrozen.

I guess they are all stacked together w/o liners or dividers? Try running the ends under warm water and prying w/ a butter (not sharp) knife. Then quickly put the rest of the frozen hunk back in the freezer.

And no, you can't cut thru frozen steak unless you have a band saw.... LOL

Answer 9

yes u can cut thru...but b carefull. And be sure to use a good sturdy knife. I always bag my meat in freezer bags the day i buy them (before i freeze them). Like steaks or pork chops, i put 2-4 in a bag. I buy tubed hb meat(5lbs) and cut it in half and bag b4 i freeze it. (Family of 5, most days of the week)

Answer 10

pry them apart with a butter knife. insert the knife inbetween them and gently tap on the end of the knife. they should break apart. next time, separate before freezing.

Answer 11

Your suppose to seperate them before you freeze them, unless you can seperate them still while there frozen you would have no option but to cook them all.