How to Defrost Ground Beef Safely—and Why You Should Never Thaw It on the Counter

Ground beef is an essential ingredient in many delicious meals, so it's best to always keep a pack or two in the freezer for last-minute weeknight dinners. It's easy to forget to defrost your ground beef in time, but knowing how to defrost it safely can make the difference between getting a quick meal on the table and ordering takeout. Food safety experts share three thawing methods: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave, and how to choose the right method for you.

Thawing Ground Beef in the Refrigerator

While it might not be the way to go if you need the meat for tonight's dinner, if you have enough time for this method, defrosting ground beef in the refrigerator is the way to go. "Thawing ground beef in the refrigerator is our preferred method for safe thawing," says Britanny Saunier, executive director of the Partnership for Food Safety Education. According to Saunier, this method gives you better control of the temperature and avoids the danger zone—the temperature at which bacteria multiply rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, as measured by an appliance thermometer.
2. Place the ground beef, still in its packaging, on a tray with a lip, or in a container that can capture any juices as it thaws.
3. Put the ground beef on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent any runaway juices from dripping on other raw products, which can cross-contaminate your food.

How Long It Takes to Thaw Ground Beef in the Refrigerator

Although defrosting ground beef in the refrigerator is the safest method, it also takes the longest time. "Thawing time in a refrigerator may vary depending on the temperature of your refrigerator," Saunier says. "For example, a refrigerator set at 35 degrees Fahrenheit might lengthen the thawing time compared to a refrigerator set at 40 degrees." Additionally, the size or weight of the beef will also impact the thawing time. Generally, thawing in the refrigerator usually takes one to two days.

Thawing Ground Beef in Cold Water

While it's a great way to thaw the protein quickly, defrosting ground beef in cold water requires more attention than using the refrigerator. This method should only be used if the water is kept cold—under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, says Tracey Brigman, EdD, MS, RDN, LD, clinical associate professor and associate director for the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia.

Ground beef can be defrosted in cold water in two ways:

1. Run water constantly over the bag of protein until thawed, or place the bag of ground beef in a bowl full of cold tap water and ensure it is completely submerged.
2. If you choose the latter method, it is less hands-on than running water over the package, but "the water must be changed every 30 minutes as the food continues to thaw," Brigman says.

How Long It Takes to Thaw Ground Beef in Cold Water

Thawing times vary by weight when using the cold water method. According to Saunier, small packages may take about an hour to defrost, while larger packages (about 3 to 4 pounds) could take anywhere from two to three hours.

Thawing Ground Beef in the Microwave

"Thawing in the microwave is best if you need a fast thaw time," Saunier says.

1. Remove all store packaging (it's typically not heat resistant).
2. Place the beef in a microwave-safe container and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
3. Select the defrost feature on the microwave or manually set it to 30 percent power.

Microwave Thawing and Food Safety

Saunier stresses that ground beef that has been thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately because some areas may start the cooking process during the thawing. "This brings parts of the food closer to temperatures at which bacteria multiply rapidly," she says.

Additionally, she notes that you should wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling raw ground beef to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

How Long It Takes to Thaw Ground Beef in the Microwave

"You can take ground beef out of the freezer and put it right into your microwave," says Saunier. Generally, it it should take about seven to eight minutes per pound to defrost ground beef in the microwave, says Brigman, but this depends on the wattage of the microwave and the size and thickness of the meat.

Why You Should Never Thaw Ground Beef on the Counter

While it may seem easy and efficient, thawing meat on the counter is highly dangerous. "Ground beef should never be defrosted on the counter or in warm water," Brigman says. The outer layer of the food will enter the danger zone and begin producing bacteria rapidly while the inner layer is still thawing. When food enters the danger zone it makes you more susceptible to food poisoning, which Saunier says can have long-lasting effects on your health.