• Ground beef can exist safely defrosted in the refrigerator, a bowl of cold h2o, or in the microwave.
  • Defrosting in the microwave is the fastest selection, simply then you must cook the beefiness correct away.
  • If you thaw ground beef in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze over again.

If you, like many other dwelling house cooks, go on a supply of ground beef in the freezer, yous're likely familiar with the defrosting process — which means you're probably likewise familiar with the frustration that comes with forgetting to take the beef out of the freezer ahead of fourth dimension.

Defrosting footing beef properly ensures you steer articulate from potential harmful leaner. Dr. Darin Detwiler, a food regulatory expert and professor at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, says that "there will never be an end to pathogens in our food, but we can change the culture effectually the time to come of food safety."

The side by side time you need to bring your beef to room temperature, follow the methods below.

Method 1: In the refrigerator

"The safest manner to defrost ground beef is to do so in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours," Detwiler says. The fridge method is safest because it "keeps ground beef out of the danger zone, which refers to temperatures between 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, where pathogens and bacteria can grow."

Detwiler says the fridge keeps the meat safely cool and warms it enough to fully defrost, which is crucial for "cooking the meat thoroughly to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is required to impale any remaining pathogens."

To defrost footing beefiness in the fridge, place the packet of frozen ground beefiness on a plate that's large enough to take hold of whatever possible drippings from the meat as it defrosts. Next, place the plate on a depression shelf in the refrigerator, which will help you lot "avoid the possibility of juices dripping onto other foods." The basis beef should remain in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to fully defrost.

If y'all don't apply all of the defrosted ground beef right abroad, Detwiler says that information technology's safe to shop the leftovers back in the freezer as long as you lot practice so within 48 hours of the original defrosting. However, for extra safety insurance against pathogens and bacteria, Detwiler advises to cook the meat thoroughly before freezing it once again.

Method ii: In cold water

Yous cannot refreeze raw basis beef if you lot defrosted information technology using the cold water method or the microwave method.
Oscar Wong/Getty Images

If yous need to defrost your ground beef and don't take a total 24 hours to wait, you lot tin can defrost it in a bowl of cold water. This method should take less than an hour, and it's safe as long every bit the water is changed out every bit information technology warms to room temperature.

To defrost ground beef in cold h2o, brand sure the beefiness is sealed in a leak-proof package, like a resealable plastic purse. "Set the plastic bag with the frozen meat in a sink or, preferably, in a large basin, cover with cold water, and weigh the package of meat down with something heavy," Detwiler says. The weighing-down keeps the meat submerged, which is essential to keep the meat at a safe temperature for even defrosting.

Leave the package submerged in cold water for xx to 30 minutes. Later that, y'all can "exam" the meat'south readiness by gently poking information technology with your fingers. If you feel ice crystals or stiffness, so information technology needs more time (and a fresh round of cold water). Once the meat is thawed, have information technology out of the water bowl and cook immediately.

Method 3: In the microwave

For the quickest possible defrosting method, you can defrost the ground beef in the microwave.  This method yields rubber-to-eat footing beefiness, but with one major caveat: you have to melt information technology right away.

"Remove all packaging, so place the meat on a plate. Employ the microwave'southward defrost settings or set it at 50% power for ii to three minutes, rotating and flipping the beef every xxx seconds, until it is fully thawed. Melt immediately and thoroughly to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit," Detwiler says.

I of import notation: You shouldn't refreeze beefiness if y'all thaw it in the microwave. Because the meat is exposed to loftier temperatures (and has therefore spent time in the danger zone), stashing it in the fridge to cook later isn't a rubber motility, either. Salvage this method for when you're gear up to get cooking immediately.

What to avoid

To ensure the best quality and taste, use your frozen ground beefiness within 4 months.
Claudia Totir/Getty Images
  • Never thaw ground beefiness at room temperature. "Some people leave frozen meat out on the counter to thaw and will get out it there for half dozen to eight hours, thinking that this will definitely get the job done. In reality, this allows it to go too warm and allows pathogens to abound," Detwiler says.
  • Never thaw ground beef using hot h2o. Just as thawing meat on the counter leaves it exposed to danger zone temps, so does thawing the meat in hot water.  The sudden stupor of hot h2o on frozen meat will have negative effects on its texture, and as the water cools downwards, the meat becomes vulnerable to unsafe temperatures. Plus, the hot h2o could begin to "cook" the meat, which gives you a totally inconsistent cake of ground beef that's partially cooked on the outside and still frozen on the inside.
  • Don't proceed ground beef in the freezer for longer than 4 months. It's tempting to assume that ground beefiness can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. The USDA recommends using it inside 4 months for the all-time quality, taste, and texture.

Insider'southward takeaway

Defrosting ground beef in the refrigerator is the safest option, but information technology takes a full 24 hours. For faster results, submerge the frozen ground beef in cold water for one hour. The quickest method is the microwave method, which will defrost the ground beefiness in just a few minutes, but you'll accept to melt the meat immediately.

Taylor Tobin is a contributing writer for INSIDER and a Brooklyn-based writer covering nutrient & beverage, beauty, style, and pop culture. Past works can likewise be constitute at Observer, Brokelyn, and UrbanDaddy. She'southward a fan of bikes, books, and bourbon (not necessarily in that society).