DEFROSTING FOOD: HOW TO DEFROST IN A MICROWAVE
When food needs to hit the table fast, the microwave is a go-to for quick cooking. It can take days for meat to defrost in the fridge, hours in the sink, but only minutes in the microwave. With cycles and settings designed specifically for safe, steady defrosting, don’t be afraid of this convenient option. Learn how to properly defrost meat, vegetables and fruit with this guide and get answers to common defrosting questions. Find general microwave cooking and reheating use instructions here.
HOW TO DEFROST MEAT IN THE MICROWAVE
Did you forget to take the chicken out of the freezer the night before? Use your microwave to defrost meat, including poultry, beef and pork, for a convenient way to get dinner on the table. You will only need a microwave-safe container and these steps for defrosting.
1. REMOVE PACKAGING AND PLACE MEAT IN A CONTAINER
Unless directly stated, food packaging should not go in the microwave. A glass container works best for defrosting.
2. SELECT THE DEFROST OPTION
If your microwave doesn’t have a defrost button, manually adjust the power setting to 20% or 30% using the Power Level button. If your model does have a defrost button, it may ask you what type of food you’re defrosting and its weight to calculate the defrost time. If your model doesn’t ask for information about food type and weight, input the time yourself: generally meat should defrost for 8 to 10 minutes per pound. Find the meat’s weight on the packaging or place it on a kitchen scale. Watch this video to see how to select microwave defrost settings on Maytag® microwaves.
3. ROTATE, FLIP OR BREAK APART THE MEAT PERIODICALLY
If your microwave doesn’t have a turntable that rotates automatically, rotate the meat manually every few minutes to ensure even defrosting. It can also be helpful to flip large chunks of meat or break apart separate pieces that are stuck together. This can help the meat defrost faster and more consistently.
4. COOK IMMEDIATELY
Cook food immediately after it’s defrosted. Leaving food too long could encourage bacteria to grow, so don’t let the meat sit in the microwave while you prep the rest of the meal.
HOW DO YOU DEFROST FROZEN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN THE MICROWAVE?
Although microwaving offers a swift method for cooking frozen produce, it serves the dual purpose of efficiently thawing fruits and vegetables, making them ready for preparation on the stove or baking in the oven. Similar to defrosting meat, you will need a microwave-safe container and the ability to closely monitor the defrosting process.
First, remove your fruits and vegetables from the freezer and place them into a glass bowl or other cookware that is microwave safe. Make sure to separate the items as much as possible for optimal defrosting. Use the defrost setting on your microwave if it has one. If so, it may ask for the weight of the produce to calculate a proper defrosting cycle. If your model is not equipped with a defrost button, manually adjust the settings to use 20-30% power level. Refer to your owner’s manual for further instructions on this step.
Next, begin thawing your produce for roughly 2-3 minutes. These times can vary depending on what you are deforesting. Check the product packaging for specific instructions. Repeat this process until your produce is fully thawed. Then, cook and prepare it immediately to help avoid soggy fruits and vegetables.
WHAT IS MICROWAVE DEFROSTING, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Many microwaves have a button labeled “Defrost” that lets you quickly thaw frozen foods. It uses standard microwave heat but reduces the power to around 30%, thawing food but not cooking it. Many models also let you input the weight or type of food to calculate defrost time.
Like all microwave settings, food is heated through electromagnetic waves created by a magnetron. Settings that use lower power levels, like Defrost, achieve this by simply cycling the magnetron on and off rather than leaving it on the whole time, which would be 100% power. Learn more in this guide about how a microwave cooks food.
IS IT SAFE TO DEFROST FOOD IN THE MICROWAVE?
Yes. Using your microwave to defrost food is safe, but you must cook the food immediately after it’s done defrosting. If food is allowed to sit much longer than the appropriate defrost time of 8 to 10 minutes per pound, harmful bacteria could begin to grow. Also, don’t microwave defrost any food that has already been sitting out of the freezer for more than 20 minutes. Instead, slowly defrost it in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water.
DOES DEFROSTING MEAT IN THE MICROWAVE MAKE IT TOUGH?
Defrosting meat in the microwave is a fast alternative to defrosting meat in the fridge overnight, but there can be a risk of excessive moisture loss and dry taste. To help avoid this, make sure to begin cooking immediately after thawing. This can help prevent bacteria growth and maintain the texture of your poultry, steak, ground beef, pork or fish.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DEFROST FOOD IN THE MICROWAVE?
Microwave defrosting time depends on the type of food you’re defrosting as well as its weight. Generally, fruits and vegetables take 2 to 3 minutes. Meat usually takes 8 to 10 minutes per pound. Check for instructions on the frozen food packaging to ensure you’re defrosting your food correctly. Always monitor your food closely while it is defrosting. Learn more about defrosting chicken in the microwave in this guide.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® MICROWAVES
Whether it’s a countertop or over-the-range model, Maytag brand has the microwave options for you. Explore the entire line of Maytag® microwaves with the features you need to defrost meat and produce and get dinner on the table.
