Rules to Thaw By

Frozen Food

Thaw foods in the refrigerator, microwave or under cold running water. Never thaw foods on the counter.

Thawing food in the refrigerator takes longer but is the safest way to thaw foods.

Microwaving food is the fastest way to thaw foods; but if you use a microwave, do not put the food in the refrigerator for later use. It must be cooked thoroughly right away.

Placing meat under cold running water will speed the defrosting time, but is the longest method. Place the meat in a container and cover with cold water (less than 70°). Change the water often. Don’t use warm or hot water to try to defrost the meat faster. Hot water can cause the outside of the meat to be in the Danger Zone and could promote the growth of bacteria.