Shop variety packages now! click here!

How do I thaw frozen beef?

November 24, 2019

How do I thaw frozen beef?

Is beef on your menu this week and currently frozen? If so, you might be wondering when exactly the best time is to start thawing your meat and what is the safest way. I’ve seen firsthand through the years that not everyone is aware of these techniques, so I want to help you prevent any problems when thawing your beef! I am going to share the easiest and safest ways to thaw your frozen beef cuts!

Keep in mind, meat begins to thaw above the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. And at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria begin to multiply on the surface of the meat which can lead to food borne illness (and I know you don’t want to experience that!). This is why you should never leave meat on the counter to thaw or place it in hot water.

Shop Our Premium, Dry Aged Beef Now

Dry Aged Beef

The best and safest way to thaw your meat out ahead of the time you will use it is to set it in the refrigerator.

Example: 1 pound of beef should thaw in the refrigerator within a day. Once your meat has thawed, it will remain safe in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

But what if you are running short of time and need your meat thawed within a few hours? Whether that is because you have unexpected company, or just completely forgot to take it out of the freezer ahead of time. (Not that any of us do that! ;) )

You can thaw your beef in a cold-water bath.

Place your meat in a leakproof package, such as our vacuum sealed package. Place it in a bath of cold water and change your water every 30 minutes. For one pound of beef, it should take less than an hour to thaw and up to 2-3 hours for a 3-4-pound pack.

Some other useful tips for thawing your beef are:

  • If you can’t cook your beef before the 3-5 days, it can be refrozen. The meat will lose some of its quality, but it is safe.
  • If thawed in a cold-water bath, the meat must be cooked immediately. It cannot be safely refrozen or refrigerated.
  • You can thaw your meat with a microwave. Just follow the operating manuals instructions. As with the cold-water bath, meat thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately. There is a lot more room for error with this thawing method.
  • You can cook beef while it is frozen, but it will take longer. Check the internal temp for doneness.

Follow these guidelines, check the temps, cook the beef to your liking, and in no time at all, you will be sinking your teeth into one of your favorite cuts of beef!

Here at Oak Barn Beef, our meats come frozen to you so in order to enjoy a steak, ground beef, roast, or another cut of dry aged beef, you will need to make sure you follow these steps of thawing it out safely so you can enjoy the best dry aged beef without any issues.

Shop Our Premium, Dry Aged Beef Now

If you haven’t heard of our beef before, I hope you will take a look in our shop at all the various cuts of beef we have available that we can ship straight to your doorstep!

Shop Our Premium, Dry Aged Beef Now

Happy Thawing!!!

 

Resources:

The Big Thaw- Safe Defrosting Methods. USDA. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/the-big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods-for-consumers/bigthaw2




Leave a comment


Also in Beef Blog

Charcuterie board with many fixings on it and a red ribbon with white text that says Move Over Salami - There's Room For Beef On That Board Too!
Elevate Your Charcuterie Game: The Art of Incorporating Beef on Your Charcuterie Board

August 18, 2023

Nothing says “elevated party snack” quite like a charcuterie board, but our favorite protein often gets overlooked. We’re here to officially petition to bring beef to the charcuterie board!

Continue Reading

Managing Heat Stress in Cattle | Friday On The Farm
Managing Heat Stress in Cattle | Friday On The Farm

August 04, 2023

Continue Reading

What is Dry Aging | Oak Barn Beef
What is Dry Aging | Oak Barn Beef

July 01, 2023

Dry aged beef is seriously tender and has a notably richer flavor. Some call it an “intensified” beef flavor, but we usually don’t call it anything because we’re too busy trying to get the next bite to our mouths. We dare you to read this article without drooling!

Continue Reading