When you have frozen meat the day before an important event like a BBQ or Thanksgiving, is there a way to defrost it quickly and safely without spoiling the meat?
Leaving meat out on the counter to thaw is not recommended. To safely thaw meat on the counter, it’s best to submerge it in cool water for approximately one hour. If frozen meat has been left out on the counter for over 30 minutes and has defrosted, it should be discarded.
A detailed guide on safe meat handling and defrosting methods is available, including quick techniques for those with time constraints.
How Long Can You Leave Meat Out To Defrost?
Leaving frozen meat out at room temperature for any duration is dangerous. Meat can rapidly develop bacteria and is a frequent source of illness, second only to wheat and grains. To defrost your meat safely, avoid using the counter and instead use water, refrigerators, or other appropriate methods.
Various methods exist to safely and efficiently thaw your meat, such as:
Defrost meat by submerging it in water
Microwave on high
Thaw meat by placing it directly on the stove.
Defrost in the fridge
If you want to safely defrost meat in water, start by putting it in a sealed bag and then submerge the bag in a bowl of cool water for about 30 minutes.
If meat is not thawed after 30 minutes, you can repeat the same method for another 30 minutes, but make sure to replace both the water and the bag before continuing.
It is safe to use a microwave to thaw meat, but it is advisable not to refreeze the partially cooked meat.
While it is acceptable to leave meat out to thaw overnight, there are concerns about its taste after being refrozen and the safety of consuming it if left out for more than 15 minutes after microwaving without cooking or freezing.
Thawing meat in the refrigerator is essentially a form of cooking while it remains frozen, which is an effective method for defrosting it and preparing dishes such as meatballs, meatloaf, and other ground beef recipes.
The best way to defrost meat is by placing it in the fridge, which may take longer but is the recommended method. Simply remove the desired amount of meat from the freezer a day prior to use.
If you want to thaw meat overnight, put it in a plastic container and keep it in the refrigerator. It should be suitable for use by the following day, but don’t leave it in the fridge for more than two days if you intend to refreeze it.
How Long Does Frozen Meat Take To Defrost In Room Temperature?
Typically, it takes 45 minutes to an hour to thaw meat using cool water. Although thawing meat on the stove or in the microwave may only take 15 minutes, some chefs opt to pre-thaw their meat for improved taste, which also applies to refrigerated thawing that usually requires a full day.
Leaving frozen meat on the counter to thaw is not recommended. Nevertheless, if you opt for a safe thawing method, the duration required for defrosting may differ based on the type of meat. Additionally, thawing times can be influenced by the cut and style.
Based on the type and method chosen, below is a brief list of the expected duration for thawing your meat:
Fridge
Chicken 24 hours
Steak 24-28 hours
Hamburgers 20-24 hours
Lamb/goat24 hours
Turkey leg16 hours-24 hours
Whole turkey24-48 hours
Microwave
Chicken 2-3 minutes
Steak 5-7 minutes
Hamburgers 3-4 minutes
Lamb/goat3-4 minutes
Turkey leg5 minutes
Turkey should not be microwaved when whole
Water
Chicken 35 minutes to 45 minutes
Steak 1 hour
Hamburger 10-30 minutes
Lamb/gpat45 minutes
Turkey leg35-45 minutes
Whole turkey 1-3 hours
Stovetop
Chicken 10 minutes
Steak 25 minutes
Hamburger 20 minutes
Lamb/goat25-20 minutes
Turkey leg10-15 minutes
Do not thaw on the stovetop
How Can You Tell If Meat Has Gone Bad While Defrosting?
Stench and discoloration are the primary indications that meat has spoiled during the thawing process. Nevertheless, these signs may not be sufficient to confirm whether or not your meat has truly gone bad.
If your meat has dropped below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, harmful bacteria and other pathogens can quickly reproduce within a matter of minutes.
Meat doesn’t show as clear signs of spoilage as fruits and vegetables unless it is decaying.
The reason for this is that meat is a complicated substance that requires more time to fully decompose. Nevertheless, the absence of visible or olfactory indications does not imply that everything is fine.
The USDA and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have reported that bacteria can multiply at a rate of twofold every four minutes when the conditions are suitable.
If your meat has dropped below 45 degrees, it is advisable to discard it and avoid consuming it as this is the most effective method of determining spoilage.
Can You Refreeze Meat After Thawing It?
It is important to keep in mind that meat may not appear spoiled even if it has gone bad. If the thawing process has caused a significant buildup of bacteria, it is best to discard the meat instead of attempting to refreeze it.
Any meat that has been kept at a temperature below 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 Celsius) for more than two hours should be discarded.
The USDA states that meat which has been thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen, up to a period of 2 to 5 days.
If you thaw your meat, it should be used or refrozen within a day or two since it can only last in the fridge for a few days before spoiling.
If you decide to use refrozen meat, it is advisable to marinate it since when the meat thaws, it loses a significant amount of moisture, and if not marinated, it could lead to dryness.
What Can Happen If You Eat Meat That’s Gone Bad?
Consuming spoiled meat can result in severe illness due to the presence of various harmful bacteria such as E. Coli, botulism, and other foodborne diseases.
Foodborne illnesses, which can result in symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, have the potential to be fatal in severe cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that some of the most common signs of botulism are:
Visual impairment characterized by unclear or duplicated images
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty in breathing (struggling to take breaths)
Weakness
Muscle aches
Botulism is a severe foodborne illness that requires immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, but usually, the disease resolves within a week.
Although E. Coli infection usually resolves within a week, it is crucial to maintain proper hydration during the illness as it causes significant fluid loss from the body, necessitating the consumption of ample amounts of water and hydrating beverages.
Be aware of signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In some cases, E. Coli can progress to this much more serious condition, which usually begins to appear around 3 days after the person believes they are getting better.
Individuals experiencing this ailment will encounter facial pallor and reduced urination frequency and volume during the day. Seeking prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent renal failure or irreversible kidney harm.
How Can You Defrost Meat Faster?
If you want to thaw your meat quickly, the microwave and stove are the most efficient methods. Nevertheless, it is important to note that these methods should only be used if you plan on cooking the meat immediately.
Leaving meat out to thaw overnight is not a recommended method as it can lead to the growth of high levels of bacteria due to the fact that this process is more akin to cooking than thawing, and if the meat is not cooked at high temperatures afterwards, it could pose a health risk.
Thawing meat on the counter can only be done safely by using cool water. This method is also speedy and won’t cause partial cooking of the meat.
It is not advisable to freeze meat that has been thawed in water, only meat that has been thawed in the fridge should be refrozen.
How Long Does It Take To Defrost Meat In the Fridge?
Thawing meat in the refrigerator typically takes around 24 hours, although this can differ depending on the type of meat and the size of the piece.
Solid steaks, such as beef, veal, lamb, or other solid steaks, require the most time to thaw, and the duration depends significantly on their size.
Depending on the weight of the chicken or turkey, it may take up to 48 hours for a full thaw in the refrigerator.
Chicken typically thaws in less than 24 hours due to its smaller size and weight compared to a turkey.
When thawing meat, it is important to place it in a plastic container to prevent the release of potentially harmful juices and blood that may contaminate other foods.
If you observe that the juices have dripped onto any vegetables or other food in your refrigerator, dispose of it immediately and sterilize the region with bleach.
You can also check this video about “Can You Leave Meat Out To Thaw Overnight?”
