Defrosting meat and seafood

How do you do it? Micro, leave on counter, leave in fridge?

For how long?

I usually micro defrost my chicken, beef, and seafood. I feel like it's notthe best way

Tia!

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

for seafood - i try to buy fresh when I can.

If I have to defrost, I do it in the fridge only and never in the microwave.

In a pinch, I will put it in a plastic bag and submerge in water for a quicker defrost.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

In the fridge usually. I've never done it in the microwave.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

I never use the microwave cause it seems one part of it always starts to cook.

I try to take beef chicken out the night before and leave it on the counter for a bit to get a head start, then pop it in the fridge until I use it.

Fish/seafood I just put in the fridge OR since the frozen fish is in vacuum sealed bags I put it in a bowl and run cool water on it and it defrosts within 10 minutes.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

I take it out in the morn and by the time I get home, its pretty much defrosted... We dont do micro anymore bc some parts always seem to cook

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

Usually a combination of fridge/counter time. I never defrost in the micro.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

Counter
Takes too long in the fridge

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

I usually put it in the fridge the night before to defrost.

With seafood, put it in a bowl and run cool water over it for 10 minutes and its defrosted. Works for chicken too if they are separated individually.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

I put it in the fridge in the early morning (7 a.m.). DH puts it in the microwave (not with the power on...just because we can't let it sit on the counter since the cats will rip it open and eat it ) at 6 p.m., and then I cook it at 7 p.m.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

If its a whole chicken or big piece of meat, I leave it in the fridge from the night before. If its cutlets, steaks I put it (still wrapped) in a pot of cold water and leave it in the sink for about 2 hours and then cook it.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

I never make seafood because DH doesn't like it.

With respect to meat, it takes 48 hours to defrost in my fridge. If my meal is planned out I will put it in the fridge 2 days ahead of time.

If I'm a little late, I will combine the fridge method with letting it thaw on the coutner for a few hours or I will put the package in a bowl of cold water.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

Meat I usually take out in the am and will leave it in the sink or the night before in the fridge. Seafood I always buy fresh

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

Ground beef in the micro...I usually pull it out half frozen, but if part cooks it's not the end of the world.


Everything else in cold water. We don't eat much meat, so if we rarely plan it out to defrost in the frige.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

In the fridge the night before.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

Meat in the fridge, chicken in a big pot of cold water, changing the water every hour.

Seafood is always fresh.

If you have shrimp though the cold water trick works fine. Haven't tried it with other fish.

Message edited 12/11/2011 8:25:26 AM.

Re: Defrosting meat and seafood

We buy seafood fresh and with meats I usually defrost in cold water. When I don't forget and am in a rush I defrost in the fridge.