How Long Does It Take for a Half Pound of Ground Beef to Thaw

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

The grill's fired up, the wine is perfectly chilled and you've been dreaming about sinking your teeth into a juicy burger all week. Only problem? You forgot to take the meat out of the freezer. Oops. Relax—you can nevertheless relieve dinner. Here'south how to thaw basis beefiness then it's defrosted in time to devour.

RELATED: The 71 All-time Ground Beef Recipes the Whole Family unit Will Love

The best manner to freeze ground beefiness

Hither's a nifty fob, known as the flat-pack freezing method, that will brand next week's taco night so much easier.

i. Before freezing, divvy up the ground beef into resealable bags. Utilise a scale to measure out exactly one-half a pound per bag, if you're feeling fancy.

ii. Using a rolling pin or your hand, gently flatten the patties and so that they're approximately a ½-inch thick.

iii. Press out whatever excess air, seal the bag and that's it—no more freezer burn, and it will defrost way faster. How fast? Keep reading.

If y'all accept 2 hours (or days): Defrost in the fridge

The all-time way to safely thaw basis beef is in the fridge, says the USDA. If yous use the flat-pack freezing method, you'll have prepare-to-melt meat in simply a couple of hours, whereas one-half a pound of ground beef in its original packing tin take up to 12 hours to thaw.

1. Take the meat out of the freezer upwards to 2 days before y'all plan on cooking it. Put it on a plate and transfer it to the lesser shelf of your fridge.

2. Once defrosted, cook the meat within ii days.

If you accept 30 minutes: Submerge in cold h2o

Ground beef that'southward been frozen apartment should thaw in near x minutes, while denser hunks of meat will a little take longer, about xxx minutes per half-pound.

1. Put the frozen meat in a leak-proof resealable bag (if it isn't already) and place it in a bowl of common cold water. Brand certain it's totally submerged.

ii. Once thawed, melt immediately.

If you have 5 minutes: Use the microwave

It's the speediest way to defrost ground beef and comes in clutch when you're pressed for fourth dimension. But remember that microwave wattages differ, and so you may need more or less time for your beefiness to totally thaw.

1. Identify the beef a microwave-safe, resealable bag on a plate, leaving a small-scale opening for steam to escape.

two. Use the defrost setting on your microwave to thaw the meat for 3 to iv minutes. Turn the meat over halfway through.

3. Cook the ground beefiness immediately. Some may accept started to cook while defrosting.

How long does frozen footing beef final?

Frozen ground beef is safe indefinitely, merely loses its quality over time. For the sake of texture and flavour, frozen ground beef should be used inside four months of freezing. For best results, freeze basis beefiness as presently equally you bring it habitation to preserve its freshness. If y'all're going to utilize the beef soon afterward you buy it, you tin go on it in the fridge instead. Use it inside a couple days, says the USDA.

Tin I refreeze ground beef once information technology's thawed?

So your beef is finally defrosted, but you've decided that you don't desire to make burgers afterwards all. No trouble. Yous can safely refreeze ground beef (or any meat, poultry or fish) that'due south been thawed in the fridge—simply this is the only method where this works. Though this method requires a bit of foresight since it can take 24 to 48 hours, it's the safest in that location is and the just feasible road if you lot terminate upwards wanting to refreeze what yous defrosted. One time thawed, footing beef or meat, stew meat, poultry and seafood are rubber to melt for another day or two. Roasts, chops and steaks of beef, pork or lamb will keep a bit longer, about three to 5 days.

Co-ordinate to the USDA, whatsoever foods left exterior the fridge for more than ii hours or for more than one 60 minutes in temperatures higher than 90°F shouldn't be refrozen. In other words, raw meat, poultry and fish can be refrozen as long as they were thawed safely in the first identify. Raw frozen appurtenances are likewise prophylactic to cook and refreeze, as well as previously frozen cooked foods. If yous want to skip thawing altogether, meat, poultry or fish tin be cooked or reheated from their frozen state. But know it'll take nigh 1 and a half times as long to cook, and you may notice a difference in quality or texture.

Gear up to cook? Here are vii ground beef recipes we beloved.

• Classic Blimp Peppers
• Beefiness Flatbread with Herb Sauce
• Ravioli Lasagna
• Beef Empanadas
• Cornbread Tamale Pie
• Swedish Meatballs
• Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

RELATED: *This* Is the All-time Manner to Defrost Craven

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Source: https://www.purewow.com/food/how-to-thaw-ground-beef