What is the best way to thaw ground beef?
The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting is essential to prevent growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze it within 1 or 2 days. To defrost ground beef more rapidly, you can defrost in the microwave oven or in cold water. If using the microwave, cook the ground beef immediately because some areas may begin to cook during the defrosting. To defrost in cold water, put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately. Do not refreeze ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven. Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Is it dangerous to eat raw or undercooked ground beef? Yes. Raw and undercooked meat may contain harmful bacteria. USDA recommends not eating or tasting raw or undercooked ground beef. To be sure all bacteria are destroyed, cook meat loaf, meatballs, casseroles, and hamburgers to 160 °F.
The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting is essential to prevent growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze it within 1 or 2 days. To defrost ground beef more rapidly, you can defrost in the microwave oven or in cold water. If using the microwave, cook the ground beef immediately because some areas may begin to cook during the defrosting. To defrost in cold water, put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately. Do not refreeze ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven. Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
In the refrigerator! Frozen meat should be kept cold as long as possible. Once it is out of the refrigerator sitting at room temperature, bacterial growth will begin. Try this: the night before, take your meat of choice from the freezer and move it to a warmer section of the refrigerator. By late afternoon/early evening it will be thawed. Break it apart.If you find the center still frozen, it will thaw quite quickly. You do not want to run water over hamburger or place the package in water. You’ll end up with a soggy mess!
