Defrost meat quickly and safely by following the correct procedures

Freezing food to preserve it is a technique that has been used since ancient times. And the invention of freezers and refrigerators has be invaluable in this regard.

But freezing and defrosting of foodstuffs must be done correctly in order to avoid any harmful contamination. Incorrect defrosting, for example, can reactivate the bacteria present in the food and causing potentially dangerous contamination.

The foodstuff most at risk of contamination is meat. So, what is the best way to defrost meat in order to avoid bacterial contamination? Let's find out together:

How to properly and safely defrost meat

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Meat can be defrosted using 3 different methods:

• With water: the first method we recommend is defrosting meat using water. This can be done under running water or by immersion. In the first case, you will need to keep the meat in its original packaging, making sure it is completely waterproofed to avoid cross-contamination. Place the meat under cold, running water and leave until completely defrosted. The second method entails placing the meat in waterproof packaging in a container full of cold water and leaving it until it is completely defrosted, changing the water every 30 minutes.
• Refrigerator: the second method - a longer process - simply involves placing the meat inside a container or on a clean plate and leaving it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours (or until it is completely defrosted).
• Microwave: microwave defrosting can be carried out by setting the appropriate programme. Remove the meat from any wrapping that cannot be microwaved and place in a container suitable for microwave cooking. In this case, you will need to cook and consume the meat immediately after defrosting.

Other tips for defrosting meat safely

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Whatever defrosting method you choose, you need to take care to disinfect surfaces, containers and utensils that will come into contact with the meat during the defrosting process. For the same reason, when handling meat, always wash your hands thoroughly before touching other foods.

Finally, if you happen to have leftover food, you can freeze it, as long as you respect some simple rules when you defrost it later:

• avoid defrosting methods using water (use the refrigerator or microwave methods);
• consume the product immediately after defrosting and cooking;
• do not freeze any foodstuff a second time - throw the food/leftovers away.

How do you defrost your meat?