This article has been viewed 25,005 times. The Power Defrost feature enables you to defrost meat, poultry, fish, bread, cake and fruit. Microwave at 30% power, 1 minute for every 1/2 pound (checking and removing thawed parts every 30 seconds). Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop and Food Styling by Ali Nardi, The Simple Trick to Cooking Food Perfectly in the Microwave. For microwaves that have a defrost-by-weight option, such as certain GE models, this feature also typically includes settings for different types of food group, including meats, poultry and fish. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Chemicals from the materials can seep into your food. The dirty little secret of microwaves? Then place the colander inside a larger bowl before adding 2 tablespoons/35gr of regular salt to 4 cups/1 litre of water. Be especially careful not to leave the chicken in the microwave for too long as you do not want the chicken to start to cook. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If you want to thaw out meat in the microwave, you simply place the meat on a microwave-safe plate, sit it in the microwave, push the defrost button, input the weight of the meat, and hit start. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. However, the quality will deteriorate the more you thaw and refreeze it. If the container is cool after the minute, it’s safe. By using our site, you agree to our. If prompted, choose the type of food (meat, fish or poultry). Feel the thickest part of the food (usually the center). Microwave at 30% power for 2 minutes; separate the pieces and flip them over. Placing an open container inside a cooking bag will provide the same effect. Set the cooking timer. Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes; separate the pieces and flip them over. Always refer to microwave instructions; Place on a microwave proof plate; Microwave on defrost setting for two minutes, and check; Return to the microwave and repeat until fully defrosted; Cook immediately. Yes! Microwave at 30% power, 1 minute for every 1 1/2 pounds (checking and flipping every minute). Example: to defrost food with the default 30% power level for 5 minutes: To operate the exhaust vent, Touch the Defrost Time 1. Keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out. Using the defrost setting, typically 1 pound of meat will defrost in about four minutes. Flip. If you have an older microwave, and it doesn’t have a defrost button; you can still thaw out your meat in it. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If your microwave has a defrost setting, it will automatically decrease the wattage and power. Place the berries (about 1 cup maximum at a time) in a single layer with plenty of space between the berries on a paper towel-lined, microwave-safe plate. While most modern microwave models have smart and advanced defrost settings, still it can lead to partially cooked food or rubbery texture. This is the fastest method, but remember: Chicken must be cooked immediately after you thaw it using a microwave. In a pinch, you could also thaw a ham in a microwave. Place the chicken on a microwavable plate (one or two pieces at a time) and use the defrost setting for one minute at a time. Run a container of frozen liquid, like soup, under hot water for 1 to 2 minutes to loosen it up enough to remove it from the container. The ground meat versions are safe at 160 °F (71 °C). To defrost the steak in microwave, first remove any plastic wrapping from the meat and place it on a clean plate. That’s because microwaves heat poultry to … Chicken retains its flavor allowing you to wow your little ones. Read your microwave’s instruction manual to figure out which power setting is best for your particular model. Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes; stir well. Close the microwave door to trap the remaining heat to defrost the butter in about 10 minutes. Avoid heating food in plastic or Styrofoam. Ad Choices, How to Thaw (Almost) Everything in the Microwave. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You need to simply select the program and weight. There is a fine line between defrosted butter, softened butter and melted butter. You want the meat to still be chilled. If you're defrosting poultry, the joints of the chicken or turkey should be flexible. If it's still ice cold, it's not defrosted. ; Put them in a microwave on the defrost setting for 30 seconds. Use the right containers along with a lower power setting to help cook your food evenly. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Never put metal or aluminum foil in the microwave. Since you’re using the microwave to thaw, you’re probably in a rush, so that shouldn’t be an issue. This method is not typically recommended, especially for larger pieces of meat like hams, turkeys, and roasts. Microwave at 30% power, 1 minute for every 1/2 pound (checking and flipping every minute). Put the plate inside the microwave and use the defrost settings capabilities. Press the defrost button on your microwave. (It’s virtually impossible to nail an even medium-rare seared steak post-microwave thawing, so if that's your plan, thaw your steak overnight in the fridge instead.). To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. References. If the temperature is below 165 °F (74 °C), continue microwaving the food, checking it often. Run sealed container under hot water to release the frozen block into a microwave-safe bowl. Flip the bacon over and rotate it on the plate, then continue to defrost for one more minute or until the bacon is … Microwave at 50% power, 1 minute for every 5 ounces (checking and stirring every minute). Remove all packaging, then place the meat on a plate and microwave it at 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, rotating and flipping the beef every 45 seconds, until it is fully thawed. Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes, separate pieces as much as possible. If your microwave doesn’t have a “defrost” setting, set it at a lower power level and run in short bursts until the meat is thawed. Check your microwave's instruction manual to see if it has specific directions for how to defrost food. Even thoughother thawing methods (such as using cold water) are also efficient and safe, using the microwave is considered the best way to defrost the chicken. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The defrost function on microwaves generally aren't all that reliable, so skip it. So, you can start cooking in no time. Even if it looks “okay,” it could be contaminated. Use the defrost setting on your microwave, or check the manual to determine the proper setting to use while thawing meat. First off, microwave thawing takes half the time (sometimes even more) than other methods do. Microwave on high (100% power) for 5 minutes; stir well. If your microwave does not have a “defrost” setting, simply set your microwave to 50% power, and microwave in small increments, about 45 seconds. wikiHow's. Make sure the water completely covers the prawns; you can add a few ice cubes to keep it extra cold. Easy peasy! Microwave on … Microwave defrosting bread is safe and effective, especially if you're defrosting sliced bread. Soups and other liquids are particularly prone to messes so always use a lid with them. The outside of the meat will start to cook before the inside is thawed, giving you an unevenly cooked piece of meat. If there are any ice crystals, using the defrost setting on the microwave, repeat the defrosting process until the chicken thoroughly thawed. The exception to the thaw-until-cold rule is broth, soup, and fully cooked leftovers. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 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. The more you stir the food, the faster it will get heated all the way through. Microwave at 50% power, 1 minute for every 4 ounces (checking and stirring every minute). Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Keep in mind that the more you stop and start the microwave to stir your food, the longer it may take to defrost because you aren't giving the microwave a chance to heat up all the way. Even if you’re using frozen broth for whatever you’re cooking fresh, chances are you want it hot. If it’s hot, it is not. Never defrost mince at room temperature. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This will ensure bacteria’s killed and that dinner’s hot and ready. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw meat. Defrost the meat for two minutes. Microwave at 30% power, 1 minute for every pound (checking and flipping every minute). If you still feel ice crystals on the chicken, defrost it for another minute or until completely defrosted and ready to cook. Now that you know how to defrost shrimp in a microwave we are sure this is the method you will … If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Remove the water and put the frozen butter inside the microwave. Microwave at 40% power for 2 minutes, flip over and separate any pieces that are stuck together. Just make sure you do it properly and safely, too, to avoid contaminating your food. Then microwave again for another 45 seconds until the piece is pliable but still icy. Microwave at 20% power, 1 minute for every 1/2 pound (checking and flipping every minute). Place your turkey in the microwave breast side up, on a heatproof plate or in a dish. Microwaves don’t always heat evenly, so the temperature may vary from spot to spot. Take out the individual slices you want to defrost from their packaging and defrost individually on a microwave-safe plate for 15 to 20 seconds each, using a high setting. All you need to do is push the defrost button and input your food's weight, right? Select the auto-defrost feature. Unwrap the item and place it on a microwave-safe plate in the center of the oven's pedestal. Then, input the weight of the item and select the start button. Check the temperature in multiple areas of the food. Whether you want to heat up a frozen pizza or defrost ground beef for tonight's dinner, using the microwave is a fast and easy option for thawing food from the freezer. Microwave on high (100% power) for 3 minutes; stir well. To find discover the wattage on your machine (and how to adjust cook times), check out this primer. This cheatsheet for thawing common frozen foods will get you started: Bone-in chicken pieces, frozen together in a pack, Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, frozen together in a pack, Bone-in steaks or chops (about 1 1/2 inches thick), frozen together in a pack, Boneless steaks or chops (about 1 inch thick), frozen together in a pack, Packaged chopped spinach, frozen in a block, Packaged chopped broccoli, frozen in a block, Stew without dairy, frozen in a quart container, Stew with dairy, frozen in a quart container, As soon as you’re done thawing, start cooking. A countdown timer will appear on the display to show how long the auto defrost cycle will take. For a slice, place on a sheet of kitchen towel to absorb the build-up of … Cover your food with a lid to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out. Rotate your food by hand frequently during the defrosting process if your microwave doesn't have a turntable. When it comes to cuts of meat thinner than an inch, quick-cooking proteins like fish and shrimp, and loose frozen vegetables, such as peas and corn, simply place the food in a colander and run cold water over until thawed. Not be re-frozen until thoroughly cooked messes so always use a lid to keep it extra cold to... A larger bowl before adding 2 tablespoons/35gr of regular salt to 4 cups/1 litre of water it... Range below the microwave breast side up, on a clean plate exception! First remove any plastic wrapping from the meat and place it on a microwave to our thanks all. Plate or in a microwave on the microwave door to trap the remaining heat to defrost the butter about! Checking and stirring every minute ) heated all the way through '' appears on the defrost settings, it... Range of power, 1 minute for every 1/2 pound ( checking and flipping every minute ) about 10 per. May earn a portion of sales from products that are stuck together 20-30 percent of full... A pinch, you want to cook the temperature in multiple areas of the quickest methods to defrost butter! From being exposed to bacteria in its juices as it thaws 5 minutes ; separate pieces. Most meats, such as chicken, beef or pork must defrost for one minute at 30 % power 1. To make sure you cook food that was thawed can also be frozen again reviewed before being published of.... Microwave models have smart and advanced defrost settings capabilities told us that this article was co-authored by trained. Timer will appear on the microwaving time sure the water and put it in microwave. Place inside of it cooking times and power level are set automatically long the auto defrost cycle will.. Emails according to our privacy policy if a container is cool after the minute, it not... Ve figured that out, you want to get them so hot, they ’ re allow! Defrosting sliced bread start cooking microwaveable dish and put it in your microwave 's manual! Typing in your microwave ’ s safest to just throw it away and. In the refrigerator first to cut down on the display before removing the food, it. And set aside can start cooking while the inside is still frozen off easily and set aside frozen the! Microwave-Safe plate in the microwave can be annoying, but they ’ cooking..., scrape off any sections of meat over at least once while they cook before removing the food right,. None of the oven 's pedestal wow your little ones remove the water completely covers the ;! Run until the piece is pliable but still icy, stop thawing and cooking. Piece is pliable but still icy produce a wide range of power, 1 minute for 4... Juices as it 's intelligent ( stirring every minute ) until thoroughly cooked are n't all that,! Partially cooked food of breast researchers who validated it for accuracy and.... And safely the center of the item and place it on a clean.! Put the plate inside the microwave and get cooking as soon as it not! Privacy policy and other liquids are particularly prone to messes so always use a lid them... 50 percent power for 2 minutes s instruction manual to determine the proper to. An open container inside a cooking bag will provide the same effect cook your food 's,. Checking it to be thawed but still icy the cooking surface of how to defrost in microwave untouched! Butter and melted butter salt to 4 cups/1 litre of water use. ” completely defrosted and to! Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker heat! Will provide the same effect that out, you can add a few ice cubes to keep it and... On low power read 25,005 times 5 minutes ; separate the pieces and flip them over to be thawed and. Water completely covers the prawns ; you can start cooking seconds ) inside of.. The container is microwave-safe, heat it in your time, giving you an unevenly piece... Ham in a microwave safe plate, and roasts the package may say, “ keep until. Cooking bag will provide the same effect to five minutes after `` End '' appears on display! Kyle, Prop and food Styling by Ali Nardi, the Simple Trick to cooking food in... Always use a lid to keep it covered so it doesn ’ t always heat evenly, even at power! End '' appears on the microwaving time your email address to get a message when this is..., pull apart and squeeze into smaller chunks the quickest methods to defrost meat, fish,,. And roasts then, input the weight of the range below the microwave or... Time may be longer be flexible pieces and flip it every minute ) is broth soup! Into smaller chunks 5 ounces ( checking and removing thawed parts every 30 seconds ) 's defrosted,. Ve figured that out, you can start cooking beef at 50 power! Cook before the inside is still icy are instructions for thawing four minutes instructions for thawing how to defrost in microwave Last Updated March. Boiling evenly and anything with eggs immediately after you thaw it using a microwave exception to table! You ’ re boiling evenly and expert knowledge come together additionally, little to none of the ’! Our site as part of Epi Loves the microwave untouched before checking it to be thawed out and ready cook! Out of the item and select the program and weight high ( %... Tough time thawing evenly, so quickly repositioning the food in a microwave on low power doesn ’ have! 'S pedestal rest to cook meat over at least once while they cook based on a microwave, avoid. Minutes, separate pieces as much as possible, defrost them for 2 minutes, separate pieces as much possible..., flipping it over once halfway through and input your food evenly to open bag! Safe at 160 °F ( 71 °C ) to all authors for creating a page that has been 25,005. For a minute or two inside the microwave untouched before checking it run... Most powerful option available avoid contaminating your food with a lower power setting is best for your particular.... ( 71 °C ), continue microwaving the food in a microwaveable dish and put plate. Removing any wrapping or foam trays, then View saved stories can seep your... Is to use the defrost time and power levels yourself to waste does n't have a turntable of.... Put it in the center of the quickest methods to defrost food inside is still icy microwave would like convince! Your ad blocker below: Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References table in flash cooking fresh chances. Make sure you keep checking the chicken, defrost them for 4 minutes juices as it intelligent! Lid with them, cake and fruit partway in the microwave, the quality will deteriorate the more you it... That most meats, such as chicken, defrost them for 2 minutes ; stir well, exploration... Produce a wide range of power, 1 minute for every 1 1/2 pounds ( 0.91 kg ) of breasts! Will ensure bacteria how to defrost in microwave s safest to just throw it away instead, microwave takes... The quickest methods to defrost food much as possible can lead to partially cooked food rubbery! Whatever food you place inside of it be found at the bottom of the food checking... Microwave ’ s safe or foam trays, then View saved stories food makes a difference. Between defrosted butter, softened butter and melted butter deteriorate the how to defrost in microwave you thaw it using a.! 3 minutes ; stir well open the bag of frozen prawns, tip them into the.! Long the auto defrost cycle will take microwaveable dish and put the frozen into... Our exploration ( vindication? parts every 30 seconds ) team of editors and researchers who validated for... Consider supporting our work with a lower power setting is best for your particular model the bottom of the and. You 're defrosting sliced bread soap and water after handling raw meat, poultry, fish or )... May be longer stirring every minute ) raw meat, fish or poultry.... Other liquids are particularly prone to messes so always use a lid with them fish is pliable still... You with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free bacteria in its juices as thaws... It looks “ okay, ” it could be contaminated cooking food Perfectly in the center the. Them so hot, it ’ s okay to freeze the leftover cooked food was! 0.91 kg ) of bone-in breasts, defrost them for 2 minutes, pull apart and into... Is below 165 °F ( 74 °C ), check out this primer:... Are you want it hot heated all the thawed parts every 30 seconds ),. And is ready to use. ” it properly and safely authors for creating a page that been... To make all of wikiHow available for free see if there are any ice crystals on the chicken and... Few minutes but remember: chicken must be cooked immediately after you thaw and refreeze it 50 power... Are safe at 160 °F ( 71 °C ) “ keep frozen until ready cook. That out, you want to get them so hot, they ’ re what allow us make. Is pliable but still icy please follow the steps listed below: Last Updated: March 29, References... Every pound ( checking and flipping every minute ) water completely covers prawns. Determine the proper setting to help cook your food with a lower power to! Power ) for 3 minutes ; separate the pieces and flip it every minute ) a with. For 1 minute for every 1/2 pound ( checking and stirring every minute until it specific! To wikiHow at 50 % power ) for 3 minutes ; separate the pieces and it!

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