Defrosting Foods

Preparing dinner shouldn’t be a high-risk activity. Unfortunately, improper handling of frozen foods can pose a potential health risk to you and your guests.

When thawing frozen foods, make sure that the internal temperature of the food never gets into the “danger zone” of 40º F and 140º F. If it does, bacteria that cause foodborne illness can multiply extremely rapidly. Food should never be thawed at room temperature because the outer surface could easily warm to above 40º F while the center remains frozen.

There are three ways to safely defrost foods:

Option I: The Refrigerator Method

This method involves placing a wrapped food item in a pan on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator away from other foods. Placing the food in a pan is important to prevent potential cross contamination from drippings as the product thaws.

Thawing this way can take several hours, so advance planning is necessary. For example, a large turkey can take three to four days to completely thaw in the refrigerator. Plan on a thawing time of four to five hours per pound for most foods when using this method.

Option II: The Cold Water Method

A second way to safely thaw foods is to place a securely wrapped package of frozen food in a pan of cold water, changing the water approximately every 30 minutes. Continue the process until the food has thawed, which takes about 30 minutes per pound. Use this method only if you plan to cook the food immediately after thawing.

Option III: The Microwave Method

Frozen foods can also be thawed in a microwave if you plan to cook the food immediately. Check your owner's manual for the minutes per pound and power level to use for thawing various types of foods. Be sure to rotate the food regularly to ensure even thawing. Any uncooked frozen foods thawed in a microwave must be cooked immediately.

Cooking from a Frozen State

If there isn’t time to defrost, most foods can be cooked from the frozen state. If you cook food that is fully or partially frozen at the start, be sure to extend your cooking time to compensate and use a certified food thermometer to verify that the food has been cooked to a proper internal temperature throughout. Frozen foods can take up to 50 percent longer to cook than the thawed version of the same food.