Safe defrosting methods

Credit: The Spruce / Cara Cormack

According to food safety experts, there are three ways to safely defrost frozen food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Properly thawing food is crucial to avoiding foodborne illnesses. Defrosting frozen food in the refrigerator allows for slow and safe thawing. Alternatively, you can use cold water for a quicker method while keeping food at a safe temperature; and microwave thawing offers the fastest thawing option, ideal for when time is limited. It is also safe to cook foods from a frozen state, but this will typically take about 50% more cooking time than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

Source

“Food Safety and Inspection Service.” The Big Thaw - Safe Defrosting Methods | Food Safety and Inspection Service, www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.