How to Defrost Ground Beef

This week I learned the best way to defrost meat, like ground beef for taco night!  The best way to defrost meat, but also the longest, is in the refrigerator.  If you can keep meat cold while it defrosts bacteria can't grow as quickly.  You need to cook it or freeze it within 1 or 2 days after it's defrosted.

You can also defrost meat in cold water.  If you want to defrost ground beef in cold water, you need to put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and sink it under the water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately after the meat is defrosted.

I didn't have time to defrost the meat in the refrigerator or soak it in water, so I used the microwave.  Aren't microwaves awesome!  I set the microwave on defrost for about 3 minutes per pound and the meat was ready to cook.  If you are using a microwave you'll need to also cook the meat immediately after it's defrosted because sometimes some of the meat can start to cook during the defrosting.  (The meat looks brown where it's already started to cook.)


"Do not refreeze raw ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven unless you cook it first.

Never leave ground beef out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour at 90 °F and above). "- USDA.Gov

Cooking Tips:

• Always wash your hands before and after touching raw meat!

• Cook ground beef until there is NO pink showing!  We like to cook it until some pieces are extra dark to add a little more flavor!

• Season with just black pepper for great tasting meat or add a little salsa, taco sauce or powdered taco seasoning mix for tacos.
• Use extra lean ground beef for less fat but great flavor!

• Use Lynn Wilson Thin Tortillas for less fat and carbs and no sugar or cholesterol.

• Use a sturdy slotted spatula to break ground beef into small pieces and remove from pan, while leaving any extra grease behind!