How To: Thaw meat and chicken safely

Looking for a fast way to thaw your meat without using the microwave? Thawing meat can be unhealthy if you do it without the proper care. Be safe! Here are two techniques that will give you great thawed meat that will be ready for dinner.

Thawing meat and poultry can be a confusing business and, when done unsafely, could lead you and your family to illness. There are really two optimal methods of thawing safely. Refrigerator thawing requires the most planning. A large frozen item requires at least 24 hours for every 5 pounds of weight. Smaller amounts of frozen food will require a full day to thaw. Cold water thawing is faster than refrigerator thawing, but does require more attention. It is important to place the food in a leak-proof plastic bag, ensuring no contamination from the air or surrounding area. The bag should be submerged in cold water, changing the water out every 30 minutes to continue thawing. A pound of food may defrost in an hour or less, and larger items will take longer.