How to Defrost Ground Beef — Even If You Forgot to Leave It in the Fridge Overnight

A reliable, affordable avenue to getting a hearty dinner on the table fast, ground beef is a staple of many freezers. That also means most of us come home after a long day only to realize we forgot to thaw the beef in the fridge ahead of time. Fortunately, there are a couple other safe ways to thaw ground beef in a pinch. 

Most importantly, never thaw ground meat in hot water or on the counter (or, for that matter, in the basement or garage or on the porch). Doing so will make you susceptible to food poisoning due to bacteria growth in the temperature “danger zone.” 

How to thaw ground beef in the fridge

Although time might not always allow for it, thawing ground beef in the fridge is the best method because it affords you the most control over temperature and keeps meat out of the danger zone — between 40°F and 140°F, a.k.a. the range at which bacteria can begin to multiply. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a pound of ground meat requires a full day to thaw in the fridge. Once thawed, it must be used within one to two days. (By the way, if you change your mind during that window, you can pop it back in the freezer without cooking and it will still be safe, per the USDA.) 

How to thaw ground beef in cold water

For a faster thaw that requires more attention, you can either run cold water over the ground beef until thawed or submerge it completely in cold water. Whichever method you choose, be sure the beef packaging is airtight, or place it into a leak-proof bag, to keep airborne bacteria at bay. If you submerge the meat, change the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. Small packages of beef will take an hour or less to thaw, while a three-to-four-pound package might take two to three hours. If using this method, cook the ground beef immediately after thawing.

How to thaw ground beef in the microwave

The quickest route to thawed ground beef is to zap it in the microwave. Remember to first remove the packaging, which is usually not heat-resistant, and place the beef in a microwave-safe container, loosely covered with plastic wrap. Thaw it using the defrost setting or manually set it at 30 percent power; defrosting ground beef should take seven to eight minutes per pound. If your microwave doesn’t contain a rotating plate, turn the container 90 degrees every three to four minutes.

You’ll want to cook the beef immediately after thawing in the microwave because some areas may start to cook, putting them in the danger zone.

Can you cook ground beef from frozen? 

In case you were wondering, it’s safe to cook foods directly from their frozen state if you don’t even have time to microwave. However, you’ll want to cook the meat for about one and a half times as long to reach the recommended 160°F internal temperature. But on certain days, an extra five minutes — and one less dirty dish — can feel like a gift.