• Ground beef tin can be safely defrosted in the refrigerator, a basin of cold water, or in the microwave.
  • Defrosting in the microwave is the fastest selection, merely then you must cook the beefiness correct abroad.
  • If y'all thaw basis beef in the refrigerator, it is rubber to refreeze over again.

If you lot, like many other domicile cooks, go along a supply of footing beef in the freezer, you're likely familiar with the defrosting process — which means you're probably also familiar with the frustration that comes with forgetting to take the beef out of the freezer ahead of time.

Defrosting basis beef properly ensures you lot steer clear from potential harmful bacteria. Dr. Darin Detwiler, a nutrient regulatory adept and professor at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, says that "at that place volition never exist an end to pathogens in our nutrient, only nosotros can change the culture around the future of food safety."

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

Method 1: In the refrigerator

"The safest way to defrost footing beef is to do so in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours," Detwiler says. The fridge method is safest considering it "keeps footing 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 kill whatever remaining pathogens."

To defrost ground beef in the refrigerator, identify the package of frozen ground beef on a plate that's large enough to catch any possible drippings from the meat every bit it defrosts. Next, place the plate on a low shelf in the refrigerator, which will assistance you "avoid the possibility of juices dripping onto other foods." The ground beef should remain in the fridge for at least 24 hours to fully defrost.

If you don't use all of the defrosted footing beefiness right abroad, Detwiler says that information technology'south safety to store the leftovers back in the freezer equally long as you do and 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 2: In cold water

Yous cannot refreeze raw ground beef if you 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 have a full 24 hours to wait, you lot can defrost it in a basin of cold water. This method should take less than an hour, and it'south condom as long as the water is inverse out as it warms to room temperature.

To defrost ground beef in cold water, make sure the beef is sealed in a leak-proof package, like a resealable plastic bag. "Ready the plastic handbag with the frozen meat in a sink or, preferably, in a large bowl, comprehend 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 go along the meat at a safe temperature for even defrosting.

Leave the package submerged in cold h2o for 20 to 30 minutes. After that, you can "test" the meat's readiness by gently poking information technology with your fingers. If yous feel ice crystals or stiffness, then it needs more time (and a fresh round of common cold h2o). Once the meat is thawed, take it out of the water bowl and cook immediately.

Method 3: In the microwave

For the quickest possible defrosting method, you tin can defrost the ground beef in the microwave.  This method yields safe-to-eat ground beef, simply with ane major caveat: you have to melt it right away.

"Remove all packaging, then place the meat on a plate. Use the microwave'due south defrost settings or set up it at 50% power for two to 3 minutes, rotating and flipping the beef every xxx seconds, until it is fully thawed. Cook immediately and thoroughly to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit," Detwiler says.

I important note: You lot shouldn't refreeze beef if y'all thaw it in the microwave. Because the meat is exposed to high temperatures (and has therefore spent time in the danger zone), stashing it in the fridge to cook afterward isn't a safe move, either. Save this method for when yous're prepare to get cooking immediately.

What to avoid

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

Insider'due south takeaway

Defrosting ground beef in the fridge is the safest pick, simply it takes a full 24 hours. For faster results, submerge the frozen ground beefiness in cold h2o for one hour. The quickest method is the microwave method, which will defrost the ground beef in but a few minutes, but you lot'll have to cook the meat immediately.

Taylor Tobin is a contributing author for INSIDER and a Brooklyn-based author covering food & drink, beauty, style, and pop culture. Past works can also be found at Observer, Brokelyn, and UrbanDaddy. She'due south a fan of bikes, books, and bourbon (not necessarily in that order).