HOW TO QUICKLY DEFROST GROUND BEEF IN THE MICROWAVE
When you’ve got a new recipe to try, waiting for ingredients to thaw can feel like an eternity. That’s when knowing how to defrost ground beef in the microwave becomes a culinary lifesaver. This guide is your key to swiftly thawing ground beef in the microwave so you can get on your way to making anything from delectable savory hand pies to mouthwatering jalapeno cheddar stuffed burgers and beyond.
IS IT SAFE TO DEFROST GROUND BEEF IN MICROWAVE?
You can use your microwave to defrost ground beef if you follow a few simple rules. First, make sure you remove the ground beef from its packaging, such as foam trays or plastic wrap, and put it in a microwave-safe container.
According to the USDA, you should cook defrosted meat immediately to help prevent bacterial growth.
HOW TO THAW GROUND BEEF IN A MICROWAVE
Quickly defrosting meat can help you move on to exploring new recipes and cooking techniques sooner. Follow the four steps below to thaw ground beef in the microwave.
YIELDS
1 serving
Ingredients
Ground beef
TOOLS
Microwave-safe container
Wooden spoon or spatula (optional)
Microwave, such as these KitchenAid® microwaves
PREP TIME
2 minutes
Cook TIME
10 minutes
Total TIME
12 minutes
STEP 1: TRANSFER FROM PACKAGING
Take the ground beef out of its original packaging and transfer it to a microwave-safe container. A glass dish works well for microwave defrosting, but a microwave-safe plastic container or resealable bag will do. Be sure to take note of the beef’s weight before discarding the packaging so you can adjust the microwave’s defrost settings accordingly.
STEP 2: SELECT MICROWAVE SETTINGS
Your microwave may feature a Defrost setting and could even include a meat-specific defrost option. Select KitchenAid® microwaves, for instance, feature a Defrost setting with custom options for meat, poultry, bread and seafood. If your microwave doesn’t have a Defrost setting, you can usually manually set the power level and time for the amount of beef you’re thawing.
To manually defrost, set your microwave’s power level to 20% or 30%, then enter the amount of time your meat needs to defrost. It typically takes about 8–10 minutes per pound to defrost meat. You can reference your owner’s manual to learn more about your microwave’s wattage, power levels and recommended Defrost settings.
STEP 3: DEFROST AND FLIP
Start the Defrost cycle and make sure the turntable in your microwave is set to rotate. If the container is too large to rotate, shut the turntable off and manually rotate the dish every few minutes to help the meat defrost evenly. You can help speed up the process by periodically breaking pieces of the beef apart as it defrosts.
STEP 4: PREPARE YOUR RECIPE
The USDA recommends immediately cooking ground beef thawed in the microwave to help prevent bacterial growth. Consider preparing other recipe ingredients ahead of time or as the beef thaws so you’re ready to cook the beef as soon as it has defrosted.
WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS TO THAW GROUND BEEF?
Defrosting ground beef in the microwave is likely the fastest solution, but there are other methods, especially if you have more time to play with as you create in your kitchen. You can thaw ground beef in the refrigerator by submerging it in cold water.
To do this, place the ground beef in an airtight bag or container, submerge it in cold water and put it in the refrigerator. Be sure to change the water every 30 minutes until the meat is completely thawed. It can take about 24 hours for five pounds of beef to thaw in the refrigerator.
CAN YOU DEFROST GROUND BEEF AND REFREEZE IT?
Plans change, but whether or not you can refreeze defrosted ground beef depends on the defrosting method you choose. You can usually refreeze ground beef defrosted in the refrigerator within one to two days after it’s fully thawed.
If you opt for defrosting in cold water or in the microwave, meat shouldn’t be refrozen until after it’s fully cooked. Ground beef thawed in the microwave may start to cook during defrosting, so you’ll need to cook it right away.
CAN YOU COOK GROUND BEEF IN THE MICROWAVE?
Though you can technically cook meat in the microwave, the USDA warns that cooking ground beef in the microwave may lead to uneven cooking and cold spots in the meat, which can foster harmful bacteria.
If you opt for cooking your ground beef in the microwave, be sure to rotate and stir the ground beef as it cooks. Then, check the meat in several spots with a food thermometer to make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature. Some microwaves—like select KitchenAid® microwaves—feature convection cooking that allows you to bake ground beef dishes like you would in an oven.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES
KitchenAid® microwaves feature the functionality you need to quickly prepare ingredients whenever inspiration strikes. Select models feature sensor functions that automatically adjust the time needed to cook, reheat or defrost so you don’t have to guess. Explore KitchenAid® microwaves in microwave hood combination, built-in and countertop configurations to find the right cooking companion for your kitchen.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICROWAVES WITH KITCHENAID BRAND
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