How to defrost foods quickly and safely
Your dinner plans are set. But you’ve realised the most important ingredient is still in the freezer. Whether you’re expecting company or simply enjoying a relaxed mid-week meal for two, we've got you covered.
We’ve gathered our top tips for safely defrosting meats, fish, breads and more.How to defrost chicken, fast
The secrets to defrosting any meats safely are your fridge and time. Place sealed frozen meats such as chicken breast fillets or legs (whether in butcher's wrapping, manufacturer packaging or a freezer bag) on a plate or tray on the bottom shelf of your fridge and leave overnight, or ideally for 24 hours.
Your fridge helps foods defrost at a slow, even and controlled temperature — something that's impossible to regulate when trying to defrost food at room temperature.
Can you defrost chicken in the microwave?
Microwave thawing can make all the difference when you need to defrost meat quickly. Many appliances, like the Ninja CRISPi Microwave, have dedicated defrost settings that can cut down on defrosting time. Simply press the Defrost button, enter your food's weight, and press Start.
And to make cooking even more fuss-free, the CRISPi Microwave features a range of versatile cooking functions such as Air Fry and FusionCrisp Technology, helping you go from frozen to table-ready, all in one appliance.
Defrosting ground beef mince and other small meat cuts
Smaller foods such as single chicken breasts, steaks, pork chops, salmon fillets and pre-prepared mince burgers can be safely defrosted using cold water.
For best results, the BBC recommends sealing food in a freezer bag, if not completely sealed already. Remove as much air as you can and seal. Next, pop it in the sink or a large bowl and fill with cold water, refreshing the water as needed in 20-minute intervals.
Once completely defrosted, sanitise all worktop surfaces, bowls and, especially, the sink, which may have come into contact with raw meat. Finally, cook ingredients immediately.
How to defrost a whole turkey or joint
First things first, check the turkey's packaging to see whether the manufacturer has included defrosting timing guidance. Most turkeys will need to be fully defrosted before cooking, but some can be cooked from frozen.
Planning ahead is key. The Food Standards Agency advises that defrosting can take anywhere between 3 to 5 days, depending on your turkey's weight and whether it's whole or jointed. To calculate defrosting time, aim for 10 to 12 hours, per kilogram.
Like other meats, it's best to defrost turkey in the fridge, rather than leaving it out at room temperature, which can cause harmful bacteria to breed. For extra safety, place the turkey on a baking tray to catch drips that could contaminate other foods.
How to defrost breads
Defrosting bread is easy, especially when it's frozen pre-sliced or portioned individually. Unlike raw meats, it's safe to defrost bread at room temperature or in a low oven. Pre-sliced bread and bagels can go straight into the toaster, as many feature handy defrost settings.
And if you have a wide-slot toaster like the Ninja Foodi 3-in-1 toaster, you can go from defrosting breads to making a cheese toastie in a few simple steps.
Which foods are safe to cook from frozen?
Avoid cooking large frozen raw meats, joints, or dishes that may include big uncooked meat chunks.
There are plenty of foods that can be safely cooked from frozen, such as vegetables, soups, pastries, lasagne and casseroles. Frozen meals and many ready-made meals are also designed to be cooked from frozen and often contain pre-cooked ingredients that can be safely reheated in the oven or microwave.
If cooking in the oven, add a splash of water so food doesn't dry out. Prefer the hob? Use a saucepan with a lid to keep in moisture and heat, stirring frequently. And if you're cooking in the oven, consider using a casserole dish with a lid or aluminium foil cover to prevent food from browning too quickly.
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