Not all methods of thawing meat, chicken and burgers are safe. In fact, the safest way to allow meat to thaw is in the refrigerator. But when you're pressed for time and don't have hours to spare, what alternative methods can you try? Take a look at two methods you can consider when you're in a hurry. These methods have been approved by food safety experts from the Department of Food Science at Pennsylvania State University. |
|
1. Thaw meat in cold water Method: Put the frozen meat in a sealed zip-locked bag and place in a tub of water. To thaw it, either maintain a constant flow of cool, running water or keep in a tub of water, changing it every 30 minutes. Pros: Thawing frozen meat in cold water works faster than thawing it in the fridge, and is similarly to fridge thawing, it keeps the meat from getting warm enough for germs to grow. Unlike microwave thawing, this method won't partially cook the meat. But how long does this method take? According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service at the US Department of Agriculture, thawing meat in cold water takes roughly about an hour. Cons: One of the issues with this method of thawing is that it requires more attention than microwave or fridge thawing. If you leave the meat to thaw in a tub of water, the water would need to be changed. With this method, you also need to ensure that the bag does not leak, as it can lead to soggy meat, as well as allowing bacteria in. |
|
2. Defrost meat in the microwave Pros: In comparison to fridge and water thawing, microwave is the fastest method of the two. It's convenient and doesn't require much of your attention. Cons: The microwave can partially cook the meat - though this isn't necessarily a bad thing, you would need to cook it immediately after you thaw it to prevent bacteria from accumulating in warm spots. It's also important to pay attention to packaging instructions as they may not be designed to withstand heat and may emit harmful chemicals, like styrene.
The preferred method Microwaving is the fastest and safest method because you don't need to worry about changing water, and there's less of a chance you'll forget about the half-thawed meat that may be growing bacteria. Nevertheless, it is not the perfect solution, so keep these additional tips in mind:
|
The Biggest Mistakes of Cooking a Burger
Cooking burgers is the easiest thing, right? Well, there a few common mistakes people still make quite often.
Grill a Flawless Chicken Every time With These Tips
A full troubleshooting guide for your next grilled chicken. No more frustration, but a lot of preparation!
These 10 Healthy Foods Can Be Dangerous If Eaten in Excess!
We all want to eat healthily, but even too much of a good thing can be bad. to make sure you're eating the right amounts of these healthy foods, check out this guide.
These Delicious Ribs Will Make Your Mouth Water
Follow this recipe and you will get the best tasting ribs ever!
Bet You Never Knew How Beneficial These Foods Are
Include these 12 foods in your diet to reduce the effects of arthritis - they have been shown to fight inflammation, strengthen bones and boost the immune system.
10 Surprising Foods that Are Pretty High in Sugar
If you're trying to cut back on sugar, here are 10 foods that you should avoid.
5 Best Ways to Prepare Fish While Keeping them Nutritious
In this article, we'll explore the eight most common ways of preparing fish and their effects on this beloved and healthy food.
15 Peculiar Food Combinations That People Actually Love
Take a look at these weird food combinations that sound gross but are actually quite delicious.
6 Mistakes We Make When Making Scrambled Eggs
If you want to make the perfect scrambled egg, follow these 6 simple tips.
10 Vegetables and Herbs To Buy Once and Re-Grow Forever...
Some parts of vegetables and herbs that you don't normally use and just throw away can actually be used to re-grow themselves time and again. Find out more.
Surprise Your Sweetheart With a Valentine’s Day Breakfast
All of these recipes are simple in preparation, but very different in taste and food preferences. Find the perfect one for your special someone...
Enjoy Guilt-Free, Delicious Brownies With This Great Recipe
This is a sweet brownie treat you'll definitely want to try - delicious, guilt-free four-ingredient brownies! Read the recipe here.
Make 8 Super-Simple Yet Healthy Treats
Discover how to transform simple ingredients into delicious, healthy snacks.
These Halloween Cupcakes Are Simply the Best!
Halloween is always a fun time of year, but it's about to become more delicious and more fun thanks to this gorgeous trio of cupcakes! Here's the recipe.
The 12 Best Foods for Your Abs!
Introducing the 12 best foods to burn excess stomach fat and keep your body trimmed and thin.
You've Got to Try these Delicious and Comforting Winter Salads
These hearty, comforting salads will take your mind off classic winter, comfort food.
Re-Grow These 10 Vegetables - Just Use Water!
It's amazing how much money you can save by re-growing these 10 favorite vegetables! Follow our tips and instructions to learn more about how you can have a constant supply of your favorite greens, without paying an extra penny.
This Crispy Lemon Pie Is Made From Just One Batter!
It's hard to believe how this delicious dessert's creamy filling and perfect crunchy crust is made. Take a look and save the recipe.
How to Make Delicious and Healthy Avocado Chocolate Cake
Everyone thinks cakes are unhealthy, but it doesn't always have to be the case! This tasty and healthy chocolate avocado cake is a great example of this!
These Pies Are Truly a Feast for the Eyes and the Stomach!
If you love pies, then you absolutely need to check out these incredibly beautiful pie crusts, which are utter masterpieces.
This Spice Cheat-Sheet Gives the Full Delicious Picture
This spice chart allows you to maximize the taste of any meal.
This Chicken Recipe Will Have Your Taste Buds Thanking You!
Looking for a delicious new and interesting recipe? Try this pineapple and hot pepper chicken and just wait for the compliments to roll in.
11 Unexpected Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky
If you thought whisky was nothing more than an alcoholic drink, you were mistaken. This video will detail the various health benefits you can reap by drinking whisky in moderation.
These 10 Superfoods Are Extremely Beneficial to Our Health
These 10 Superfoods are extremely good for you. Read on to find out what they are and how they are beneficial to our bodies.
This Delicious Bread Has No Carbs, No Gluten and No Sugar
Known as cloud bread, this carb and gluten free bread is soft, airy and fluffy, and so delicious, it practically melts in your mouth. All you need are three ingredients to make it - let's take a look.
This Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese is Simply Delicious
Home-made macaroni and cheese is much tastier than that which you can buy in a store. By using a slow cooker, you can make the tastiest macaroni and cheese ever.
9 Ice Cream Recipes You Can Make with a Food Processor
9 easy, healthier ice cream recipes that you can prepare in a food processor.
13 Delicious Dishes You Can Make Using a Waffle Iron
I didn't think I could find so many ways to use a waffle iron to create delicious meals.
Make Delicious Meatloaf Using This Simple Recipe!
This recipe teaches you how to make the most tender, most delicious meatloaf that you have ever had.
The Perfectly Seared Steak: All You Need to Know
Now that its winter, our steak cooking options are fairly limited to the stove and oven, but this isn’t a bad thing...
How to Create the Perfect Home Pita Bread
If you've never tried pita bread, then you're missing out! This simple pita bread recipe will make you wonder why you never tried this before!
This is the Fluffiest Omelet You'll EVER Make!
If you like your breakfast eggs fluffy but juicy, don't miss out on this mouthwatering Soufflé Omelet recipe!
What Would You Pay For the Best Bottle of Scotch On Earth?
These incredible liquors are only available in small numbers and have been sold for extremely hefty prices exclusively for the elite
Try This Easy Yet Heavenly Almond and Pastry Dessert Recipe
At a glance, the pastry may look complicated to make, but it is actually quite easy. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make it.
3 Glasses of Sunshine: Drink Recipes for the Hot Weather
Spring and summer are on their way, so what better time than to start perfecting your drink making skills. These sunny juices will quench your gaping thirst.
THIS is Why I Love Italian Cuisine!
What makes the Italian cuisine one of the best in the world? Watch and learn.
These Are the Healthiest Hash Browns Ever Prepared!
Yes, you can have hash browns for breakfast, with this healthy and delicious cauliflower alternative recipe. Watch and learn!
A Guide to 7 Unique Tomato Varieties and How to Use Them
Whoa! I never knew there were so many different varieties of tomatoes out there.
15 Vegetables You Can Grow in a Garden Pot!
If you would love to grow vegetables, but have a limited amount of space, then we have just the solution for you - vegetables you can grow in a pot.
6 Delicious Tuna Recipes You Just Have to Try
Fish dishes are an easy and great way to provide ourselves and people close to us fast and healthy meals full of protein and amino acids. These 6 different recipes use tuna fish in its many forms!
Incredibly Delicious and Easy-To-Make Chicken Dish
A simple recipe which will leave you with mouthwatering chicken every time.
I Could Eat This Yummy No-Oven Cake Every Day!
When a sweet tooth strikes, this is the dessert to make! No oven is needed.
This Is How Long You Can Freeze These Foods For!
We all know that freezing food prevents it from rotting. Here's a complete guide to how long you can let different foods stay frozen until they go bad!
We Bet You've Never Tasted Potatoes As Delicious As These
These are the best potatoes you have ever tasted!
Cooking Mistakes: Keep These Foods Out of the Microwave!
It may seem like a good idea to reheat the following foods in microwave, but doing so could actually be a health hazard. Read on to learn more.
6 Terrific Recipes That Can Be Made with Medicinal Herbs
Find out how mallow, nettles, mint, elderberry, fennel, and chives are dutifully incorporated into these 6 delicious recipes!
This is How You Make Delicious Home-Made Hummus
Hummus is delicious, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make your own.