QUICK - meat thawing ?

[Jennifer D]

I fear the subtitle for my heading should be "Oh crap!"

I put 2 pounds of frozen stew meat (still wrapped from the store) out to thaw last night around 7 or 7:30. Yes - on the counter [I know - only thaw in the fridge - but nothing ever thaws in the fridge for me in 24 hours or less.....]

Totally forgot to put it in the fridge overnight. And then overslept by 2 1/2 hours this morning (unprecedented - think it was an antihistamine I took last night).

So the meat was out until about 7:20 this morning, when I rushed down and put it in the fridge.

Definitely seems thawed - - although the counter wasn't "bloody"......

So is it a loss? Can I use the meat or do I just have to toss it? [I've got a 2 year old eating so I wouldn't want to take any chances....]

Sigh

[EmilyK]

[I've got a 2 year old eating so I wouldn't want to take any chances....]

I think you answered your own question here.

We have great success quickly thawing anything frozen if you put it in a container of cold water and put it in the fridge. DH explained the thermodynamics of why this works, but I couldn't begin to explain it here.

[Hammster]

I fear the subtitle for my heading should be "Oh crap!"

I put 2 pounds of frozen stew meat (still wrapped from the store) out to thaw last night around 7 or 7:30. Yes - on the counter [I know - only thaw in the fridge - but nothing ever thaws in the fridge for me in 24 hours or less.....]

Totally forgot to put it in the fridge overnight. And then overslept by 2 1/2 hours this morning (unprecedented - think it was an antihistamine I took last night).

So the meat was out until about 7:20 this morning, when I rushed down and put it in the fridge.

Definitely seems thawed - - although the counter wasn't "bloody"......

So is it a loss? Can I use the meat or do I just have to toss it? [I've got a 2 year old eating so I wouldn't want to take any chances....]

Sigh

Read this thread about thawing chicken.

There were a few of us who thaw overnight in the sink. I think your meat is safe for use.

But if you are concerned about the welfare of your little one, by all means follow your instincts.

[Gumbeaux]

Toss the meat. The USDA says that it's not safe to eat.

The link below is what the USDA says about thawing.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Big_Thaw/index.asp



.

[Lillith]

I read somewhere that as long as the thawed meat is still cool to the touch it's safe to use.

[DCook]

We have great success quickly thawing anything frozen if you put it in a container of cold water and put it in the fridge.

Agreed, this is the best compromise. I used to do in-water-on-the-counter but it works just as good in-water-in-the-fridge, and its safer

Although I've NEVER been sick from the counter method

[funniegrrl]

I'm not squeamish about things like this, I thaw meat on the counter with no qualms. HOWEVER ... number one, I'm not cooking for children or the elderly or anyone with an iffy immune system. Number two, if I'm not ready to use it when it is 90% thawed, it goes in the fridge; 12 on the counter is longer than even I would feel comfortable with.

[aggie94]

Was it still COLD? If so, it's fine.