How to Thaw Ground Beef Overnight

Dinner running late? Here are our best tips to safely thaw ground beef, whether you're planning ahead or you're in a rush to get dinner on the table.

How to Safely Thaw Ground Beef

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We all have a stash of frozen ground beef, right? It's an awesome staple for your kitchen, and it's so versatile to cook with. (Just check out this list of 79 Amazing Ground Beef Recipes!) But there is nothing worse than coming home after a long day, needing to make dinner, and realizing that you forgot to take the ground beef out of the freezer to thaw. How can you safely thaw ground beef so you can still have dinner at a reasonable hour?

There are a few ways to thaw ground beef. Some are fast, and some take a little bit longer. These are my favorite ways to defrost ground beef – they are also the safe ways to do it!

Safe Meat Thawing Depends on Temperature

When you're thawing meat, you want to keep the temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I know, it sounds crazy. Won't it thaw faster if it's warmer? Well, yes… BUT. All meat (including ground meat) can have some bacteria on it. Below 40 degrees F, these bacteria are inhibited – it's too cold for them to multiply. But once the temperature hits 40, those bacteria wake up and multiply like crazy. And that's when food poisoning can set in. A few bacteria aren't a problem, especially if the food is properly cooked. (Check out this post with a free printable to know when your meat is fully cooked.) But the more bacteria there are, the less likely it is that they will all be killed during cooking. And if someone eats those bacteria, they could get sick.

So the number one most important rule of safely thawing ground beef is to keep it cool.

Thaw Ground Beef in the Refrigerator

This is far and away the easiest and the safest way to thaw ground beef, but you do need to plan ahead. Take ground beef out of the freezer, keep it in the packaging, and put it on a plate, in a bowl, or in a dish with a raised lip (to prevent leaks). Place the ground beef on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator and let it thaw. Simple… if you remember to do it.

One to two pounds of ground beef should defrost in your refrigerator overnight.

Thaw Ground Beef in a Cooler

I love using coolers to defrost turkeys, chickens, and hams – anything that takes up a lot of space in the refrigerator. If you really need the refrigerator space, you can also thaw ground beef in a cooler. Keep a close eye on the temperature – it should stay below 40 degrees F. I use a probe-style thermometer (like this one). I put the end of the thermometer in the cooler, close the lid, and set the alarm for 40 degrees F. When the alarm goes off, I know the temperature is getting too high. If the meat isn't thawed yet, I add ice packs to keep the temperature cool enough.

You don't want to use a cooler like a Yeti or an RTIC brand. They are so good at holding a low temperature, your ground beef will never thaw!

Thaw Ground Beef in Cool Water

Yes, I said cool water, not hot water, not even warm water. Remember, we are playing the temperature game here, and we want the meat to stay below 40 degrees as long as possible. Put the ground beef (wrapped in its packaging) in a sink or in a large bowl. Cover the meat with cool water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the ground beef is thawed. This way is faster than thawing in the refrigerator or a cooler, but it is more labor intensive.

If you thaw ground beef in cool water, cook it immediately.

Thaw Ground Beef in the Microwave

In a pinch, this method works. I'm not a huge fan of thawing ground beef in the microwave, because the outside tends to start cooking before the inside is fully thawed. But when I'm in a hurry, you better believe I'm using the microwave. If the ground beef is in microwave-safe packaging, leave it wrapped. Place it on a microwave-safe plate or in a shallow microwave-safe bowl. If your microwave has a defrost setting, use that. Otherwise, set your microwave to 50% power and start at 2-3 minutes. Check the meat after a few minutes, remove any parts that are thawed, and put it back in the microwave for another few minutes. Microwaves vary in the power they put out, so get to know your microwave.

If you thaw ground beef in the microwave, cook it immediately.

All you have to do is follow these recommendations, watch your temperature, and you'll have dinner on the table in no time!

Enjoy!

Free Printable Ground Beef Buyer's Guide

Have you ever gotten confused at the grocery store when you're trying to pick out ground beef for tonight's dinner? We can help! This Ground Beef Buyer's Guide has everything you need to know about buying ground beef, plus you can download a free printable cheat sheet to keep handy in your kitchen or your purse!

Tools for Cooking with Ground Beef

Every kitchen needs a few basic tools… These are ones that I use all the time when I'm cooking with ground beef!

• 5-Quart Saute Pan
• Mix and Chop
• 6-Quart Slow Cooker
• Instant-Read Digital Thermometer
• Probe-Style Digital Thermometer

3 Ways to Take the Fear Out of Your Kitchen

• Different Types of Ground Meat
• Why is Ground Beef Brown in the Middle?
• Are There Antibiotics in My Meat?

3 Recipes to Try

• Easy Cheesy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
• Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
• Cheesy Taco Bake

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Source: https://www.myfearlesskitchen.com/how-to-safely-thaw-ground-beef/

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