How to Defrost Meat Safely

How you defrost your meat is important to avoid spoilage, wasted meat, and foodborne illness. However, we know the feeling of arriving home from a long day of work only to discover you’ve forgotten to thaw meat for dinner! Putting the meat in hot water might seem like a quick solution but it’s not always the safest. When you have a piece of quality meat, it’s important to treat it with respect. Here’s how to defrost meat in the safest way possible.

1. Defrost Overnight
   Meat is indefinitely safe while it’s frozen. However, as soon as it begins to thaw and become warmer than around 5℃, any bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to multiply and cause illness once consumed. The safest way to effectively thaw meat is to plan ahead and defrost it overnight on a plate in the refrigerator. Large frozen meat items like a pork butt require at least a day. But, come the next day, you’ll be ready to cook up a storm!
   
   
2. Follow This Safety Tip
   It’s critical that you never keep meat at room temperate for longer than two hours. Once you’ve thawed frozen meat, do not re-freeze it unless it’s in a liquid like a stock or soup.
   
   
3. Cooking Frozen Meat the Same Day
   If you have frozen meat that you forgot to defrost ahead of time and need to cook it today, we advise avoiding putting it in hot water as a quick solution. Instead, try the cold water method: keep the meat wrapped tight in vacuum sealed packaging or alternative leaf-proof packaging that will not allow any water to seep in. A plastic bag or ziploc is suitable. If the bag leaks, bacteria from the air or surrounding environment could attach to the food. Additionally, the meat tissue may absorb the water which will result in a watery, less-enjoyable product.
   
   Note that this method is faster than the refrigerator method but requires a bit more attention.
   
   
4. Using Cold Water for Thawing Meat
   Once your piece of meat is secured and wrapped tightly, submerge it in a large bowl filled with cold water. It’s advisable to change the water every half an hour as the meat continues to defrost. Depending on the size and weight of the meat, the thawing process could take up to two hours.
   
   
5. Getting the Meat Ready to Cook
   Dinner will be ready in no time if you follow these simple steps! Remember that it’s also perfectly fine to cook the meat from its frozen state.

We want you to enjoy your meat products, whether it’s beef, chicken, or pork, as much as possible, so it’s important that you plan ahead and pay attention to the meat that’s defrosting. This is especially true if you’re planning a dinner party or event with lots of people! If you need guidance with thawing your meat, our friendly team will be happy to help. Otherwise, browse our range of wholesale products today.