Thaw your steak quickly without sacrificing flavor, texture, or health.
Key Takeaways
Knowing how to defrost steak quickly can come in handy for unplanned events.
While there are various methods for thawing steaks and other meat, some are safer than others.
Photo: Getty Images
Thanks to this quick steak-thawing method, dinner is saved with time to spare.
How to Thaw Steak Quickly
The ideal way to thaw a steak is in a refrigerator.
However, this method can take 12 to 36 hours.
The water method allows the steak to stay at a safe temperature and prevents bacteria growth.
Here’s how to do it.
Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the bag.
Fill the bowl or bowls with cool water, not hot or warm water.
Cool water is safest.
Step 3: Submerge the Steak
Leave the steak in the water for 30 minutes.
Place a spatula or wooden spoon on the meat to keep it submerged.
After that half-hour, empty the water and fill the bowls with fresh cool water.
To do this, press the steak while it’s still in the bag.
The surface should feel soft, with a slight bend as you handle it.
You should not feel stiffness or frozen spots.
Plan for about 30 minutes per pound of meat.
Thinner steaks will be fully thawed in 30 minutes.
Thicker ribeyes or filets might need more time.
Step 5: Remove to Cook
Remove the bag from the water.
initiate the seal and remove the steak.
Season and cook the meat just as you typically do.
If the center remains a bit icy, that’s OK, you might still cook the meat.
Just give it a few extra minutes to reach a safe temperature.
First, seal your steak in a bag and ensure it’s airtight.
Then, drop the sealed steak into a larger bag, along with several ice cubes.
confirm the second bag is also sealed.
So, whether or not you cook it frozen or thawed is a personal preference.
Do not leave the steak on the counter at room temperature for any length of time.
Even cool rooms like a basement or garage are far too warm.
This could lead to food poisoning.
Cooking a frozen steak takes about one and a half times longer.
Use this method as a last resort, and use the microwave’s defrost options.
Some cooks recommend placing an unwrapped steak in a bowl of water with a steady stream running into it.
Ultimately, that could mean you have a dry, stringy piece of meat.
Keep steaks tightly sealed in a plastic bag while defrosting.
Freezing and defrosting steak should not change its flavor as long as you wrap and store it properly.
Each steak should be individually wrapped in tin foil or butcher paper and placed in a ziplock bag.
With this method, steak can be kept in the freezer for up to one year.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The Big Thaw Safe Defrosting Methods.USDA, 15 June 2013,www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods.
Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
Can You Cook Meat or Poultry from the Frozen State?USDA, 14 Aug. 2024,ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-you-cook-meat-or-poultry-from-the-frozen-state.
Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
USDA,“Danger Zone” (40 F - 140 F).
Accessed April 15, 2022.
