Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The cold-water method is the fastest method when your turkey hasn't fully thawed in time. Refrigerator thawing eliminates the need ...

Understanding the Context

When thawing frozen food, it's best to plan ahead and thaw in the refrigerator where it will remain at a safe, constant temperature — at 40 °F or below. There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. You can thaw frozen foods safely in three ways: refrigerator thawing, cold water thawing and microwave thawing. Thawing frozen food in cold water.

Key Insights

keep food in the “Danger Zone,” between 40 °F and 140 °F. Bacteria can grow quickly in these temperatures. Thaw meat safely using cold water or a microwave, never on the counter. Cold water thawing is gentle and takes 15-30 minutes per pound. Microwave thawing is quick, but cook meat immediately after.

Final Thoughts

You can store meat in the freezer for up to a year. But what's the safest way to defrost it? Cold water thawing is meant to keep the surface of your food cool enough that bacterial growth stays slow, allowing the food to slowly, safely thaw all the way through. Thawing food in the refrigerator, running cold water, using the microwave, and incorporating it directly into the cooking process are the four correct methods for safely thawing food. With Thanksgiving around the corner, preparations should be on their way for those planning on creating the best meal they can. That includes thawing out the turkey.

There are three ways to thaw out a ...