Save Time With the Microwave
The safest way to thaw meat in the microwave is to take off all plastic wrap and foam trays before starting the defrosting procedure. Frozen meat should be heated slowly so that it can be heated more evenly.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, you should cook the meat right away after microwave thawing to avoid any risk of overheating and cooking.
This creates an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, especially bacteria that was already present before the thawing process. Foodborne illness, such as salmonella infection, can occur from consumption of meat that is contaminated with bacteria, according to Mayo Clinic.
Read more: 5 Healthy Red Meat Recipes That Satisfy
If you plan ahead because it takes some time, you can thaw meat in the refrigerator. For every 5 pounds of weight, a frozen turkey needs 24 hours to thaw. One pound of ground meat or chicken takes 24 hours, possibly longer if your refrigerator’s temperature is below the ideal 40 degrees Fahrenheit level.
Ground meat, poultry, and seafood need to be cooked within a day or two after thawing in the refrigerator, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Red meat dishes like beef steaks, lamb chops, and pork chops or roasts need to be prepared three to five days after they’ve been defrosted.
After meat has thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking it, but some quality may be compromised.
Meat can safely defrost in cold water, but never in warm water or on the counter because doing so would encourage the growth of bacteria because the meat would become too warm. Thawing in hot water can begin to cook your meat.
To thaw meat in cold water, place it in a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold, explains the University of Illinois Extension. Cook meat thawed in cold water immediately, even before you refreeze it.
If you don’t have enough time to thaw the meat, you can still cook it. Consider cooking the meat at least 50% longer than you would if it were thawed.
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FAQ
Can you cook beef 2 days after defrosting?
You don’t have to cook the beef right away after it has thawed in the refrigerator. Beef roasts and steaks can be kept for an additional 3 to 5 days before cooking, while ground beef can be kept for an additional 1 to 2 days.
How long after defrosting beef can it be cooked?
When defrosting, keep meat and poultry separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination. When food has defrosted, it should be used right away (within a day).
How long can defrosted beef stay in the fridge?
Foods that are thawing in the fridge (at 40 °F or less) are still safe to eat. Use ground meats, poultry, and fish within one or two more days of thawing, and roasts, steaks, or chops of beef, pork, lamb, or veal within three to five days.
How long can raw meat sit out after defrosting?
The USDA advises against keeping perishable foods, such as raw meat, at room temperature for longer than two hours. Therefore, leaving meat in various stages of the defrosting process out all day can result in a dinner that is contaminated with bacteria.