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#95057 - 05/19/07 11:53 AM thaw frozen meat properly?
picard120 Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 07/10/05
Posts: 763
What is the proper way of thawing frozen meat from the freezer?

Should the meat be thawed in the microwave for 10min under low power?

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#95058 - 05/19/07 01:12 PM Re: thaw frozen meat properly? [Re: picard120]
Matt26 Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 09/27/05
Posts: 309
Loc: Vermont
You can thaw meat in the fridge, takes about 24 hrs. you can thaw meat in cold water, takes about 1 hour. Lot's of microwaves now have a defrost function. Check the instructions that came with your microwave.
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#95061 - 05/19/07 01:30 PM Re: thaw frozen meat properly? [Re: Matt26]
Brangdon Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/12/04
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nottingham, UK
It depends what it is. I find big solid lumps of meat, like whole chickens, so bothersome to defrost that I don't buy them. Meat is quite a good insulator.

Small pieces, or mince, I can defrost in 10 minutes. I give it 3 minutes at the lowest power setting, then break it up, rearrange it and maybe remove any pieces that look like they are starting to cook. It's relatively easy to be sure there are no ice crystals left.
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#95064 - 05/19/07 01:47 PM Re: thaw frozen meat properly? [Re: picard120]
OldBaldGuy Offline
Geezer

Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
I don't like to thaw meat in the microwave, I prefer to just set in the open, usually one side of the sink, and let it thaw on its own (assuming that it is to be cooked soon after it is thawed). If I am in a hurry I just put it in warm (or warmer, but not super hot) water for an hour or less, then cook it...
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#95083 - 05/19/07 09:17 PM Re: thaw frozen meat properly? [Re: ]
el_diabl0 Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/31/06
Posts: 301
Loc: NE Ohio
As a former chef, I can also speak with some intelligence on this one. Generally, the best/safest practice for thawing meat is in the fridge. It may take 24-36 hours depending on size/weight, but planning ahead is what we do here at ETS. I put my Thanksfiving turkey in the fridge 3-4 days in advance.

Microwaving is frowned upon in the food industry, and I've worked in a few restaurants that didn't have one. I will occasionally thaw ground beef or bacon/ham in the mic, but never all the way through. I would never thaw a nice cut of beef in a mic.

The running water method works if the meat is wrapped well and you will be nearby to keep an eye on it, but wastes a lot of water.
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#95085 - 05/19/07 10:46 PM Re: thaw frozen meat properly? [Re: el_diabl0]
picard120 Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 07/10/05
Posts: 763
Originally Posted By: el_diabl0
As a former chef, I can also speak with some intelligence on this one. Generally, the best/safest practice for thawing meat is in the fridge. It may take 24-36 hours depending on size/weight, but planning ahead is what we do here at ETS. I put my Thanksfiving turkey in the fridge 3-4 days in advance.

Microwaving is frowned upon in the food industry, and I've worked in a few restaurants that didn't have one. I will occasionally thaw ground beef or bacon/ham in the mic, but never all the way through. I would never thaw a nice cut of beef in a mic.

The running water method works if the meat is wrapped well and you will be nearby to keep an eye on it, but wastes a lot of water.


how do you thaw chicken breasts/legs quickly to cook dinner? I wouldn't want to wait forever like the cable guy.

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#95156 - 05/21/07 01:16 PM Re: thaw frozen meat properly? [Re: picard120]
el_diabl0 Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/31/06
Posts: 301
Loc: NE Ohio
Originally Posted By: picard120
Originally Posted By: el_diabl0
As a former chef, I can also speak with some intelligence on this one. Generally, the best/safest practice for thawing meat is in the fridge. It may take 24-36 hours depending on size/weight, but planning ahead is what we do here at ETS. I put my Thanksfiving turkey in the fridge 3-4 days in advance.

Microwaving is frowned upon in the food industry, and I've worked in a few restaurants that didn't have one. I will occasionally thaw ground beef or bacon/ham in the mic, but never all the way through. I would never thaw a nice cut of beef in a mic.

The running water method works if the meat is wrapped well and you will be nearby to keep an eye on it, but wastes a lot of water.


how do you thaw chicken breasts/legs quickly to cook dinner? I wouldn't want to wait forever like the cable guy.


If you need to thaw chicken quickly, I'd use the water method. Be sure the meat is cooked just after thawing, and cooked to proper temp.
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