How to Defrost Meat in the Microwave

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you can't run to the store several times a week to buy meat, keeping it in the freezer can be a great way to keep all that protein fresh — just move that frozen hunk of beef into your fridge 24 hours ahead of time, and it's ready to be cooked. If you're in a hurry to cook that meat now, though, there's a slightly less safe, but still totally effective way. All you need is a microwave, an appropriate container, and a little bit of patience.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Meat Ready for the Microwave

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your meat has been in the freezer longer than you can remember, you'll probably want to toss it, just to be on the safe side. If not, there are some telltale signs your food has gone bad. [1]
    • The meat looks discolored.
    • There’s a nasty smell coming from the packaging.
    • The package shows signs of freezer burn (ice on the inside).
  2. Though it is possible to defrost meat without a container, you'll save yourself a lot of clean up time by using one. Typically, glass bowls are the best, safest containers to use in a microwave. [2]
    • If you’re planning to use a plastic container, check out the original packaging to make sure it's safe for microwave use.
    • Some other items considered unsafe for the microwave include brown paper bags, aluminum foil, and single-use plastic containers (ex: the kind that take-out food comes in). Basically, if you're not sure, don't use it.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Defrost Meat in the Microwave
    If the meat is still in its original packaging, it probably has a label that tells you exactly how much it weighs. If it doesn't, you’ll need to weigh it yourself.
    • The best tool for weighing meat is a kitchen scale, which gives more specific weights (down to fractions of a lb/kg) than bigger scales.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Defrost Meat in the Microwave
    Many materials used to package frozen meats should definitely not be microwaved, so be sure to toss everything but the meat itself before you begin cooking. [3]
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Microwaving the Meat Properly

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Defrost Meat in the Microwave
    After separating the chicken breasts, flip them over. Then, set the microwave's power to 20%, and heat 1 minute for every 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) of chicken. About once a minute, flip breasts, while continually removing pieces that are no longer frozen (set those aside for cooking). [4]
    • Thawed pieces will feel soft when you poke them with a fork.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Defrost Meat in the Microwave
    Then, break apart the pieces so they cook more easily and flip them. Reduce power to 30%, and heat 1 minute for every 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) of chicken. Remove chicken pieces as they thaw — check about every 60 seconds. [5]
  3. Next, separate steaks and turn them over. Reduce microwave power to 30%, and cook 1 minute for each 1 pound (0.45 kg) of steak. Look for thawed steaks once a minute, setting aside any that are ready to be cooked. [6]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Defrost Meat in the Microwave
    After that, separate all the pieces and give them a flip. Turn down the power to 30%, and microwave 1 minute per every 1 pound (0.45 kg) of meat. Every 60 seconds, flip over the chops, removing pieces that have defrosted. [7]
  5. Pull apart all the individual pieces of meat. At 30% power, heat 1 minute for every 0.5 pounds (0.23 kg) of meat. Flip pieces once a minute, while checking for thawed steaks or chops. [8]
  6. Then, break off any thawed sections of meat and resume cooking at 30% power, heating beef 1 minute for every 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) of meat. Every 30 seconds, scrape off any sections of meat that appear to have defrosted. [9]
    • When a section softens and starts to turn brown, you'll know it's thawed.
    7. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Practicing Proper Food Safety

PDF download Download Article
  1. When it comes to thawing meat in the microwave, it’s super important that you don’t just “set it and forget it.” Meat that hasn't completely defrosted may not cook properly. [10]
    • If your microwave plate isn’t rotating automatically, rotate the meat each time you flip it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Defrost Meat in the Microwave
    At higher temperatures, the edges of frozen food tend to cook more quickly. If you're finding that the middle of your meat isn't thawing as well as the outside, double check your power setting and make sure no cuts of meat are still stuck together. [11]
  3. Once food has thawed, harmful bacteria start to grow on it. Heating the meat up to a safe temperature stops that from happening, but only if you cook it right away.
    • Use a food thermometer to make sure the meat is fully cooked to a safe temperature.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Be sure to use a separate container for the meat after it's cooked, so that nasty bacteria doesn't make its way into your cooked food. Wash the original container out with soap and water when you're all done.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • When uncooked meat warms above the temperature inside a typical refrigerator, it becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This is why it's so important to cook your meat immediately after thawing.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add an Egg to Ramen: Tips for Creating a Flavorful Meal
      How to
      Make Dried Orange Slices
      4 Easy Ways to Thaw Cool Whip to Perfection
      4 Simple Ways to Fold or Roll a Wrap
      How to
      Cook Raw, Frozen Prawns
      How to
      Cook London Broil in the Oven
      How to
      Keep Food Hot
      How to
      Clean Chitterlings
      How to
      Wash Fruits and Vegetables with Baking Soda
      How to
      Get Cheesecake Out of a Springform Pan
      How to
      Scald Milk
      How to
      Make Virgin Coconut Oil
      How to
      Defrost Cooked Chicken
      How to
      Ripen Kiwi Fruit
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/7-signs-something-has-gone-bad-in-the-freezer-246505
      2. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/cookware-bakeware/food-containers-safe-for-microwave
      3. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/86
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
      5. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
      6. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
      7. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
      8. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
      9. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-thaw-every-food-in-the-microwave-oven-article
      1. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-defrost-any-meat-article
      2. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/9x

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 55,530 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement