Thawing Food

 As soon as raw or cooked meat, poultry or egg products begin to thaw and become warmer than 40 °F, bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to multiply.
 

Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter or in hot water and must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. There are safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Follow these tips from the USDA:  

• Planning ahead is the key because a large frozen turkey requires at least 24 hours  for every 5 pounds.
• Small amounts of frozen food — such as a pound of ground meat or boneless chicken breasts — require a full day to thaw
• Food will take longer to thaw in a refrigerator set at 35 °F than one set at 40 °F.
• After thawing in the refrigerator, items such as ground meat, stew meat, poultry, seafood, should remain safe and good quality for an additional day or two before cooking.
• Red meat cuts (such as beef, pork or lamb roasts, chops and steaks) should remain safe and good quality 3 to 5 days.
• Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

• This method is faster than refrigerator thawing but requires more attention.
• The food must be in a leak-proof package or plastic bag.  If the bag leaks, bacteria from the air or surrounding environment  could be introduced into the food. Also, the meat tissue may absorb  water, resulting in a watery product.
• The bag should be submerged in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw.
• Small packages of meat, poultry or seafood — about a pound — may thaw in 1 hour or less.
• A 3-to 4-pound package may take 2 to 3 hours. For whole turkeys, estimate about 30 minutes per pound.
• Once thawed food must be cooked immediately. Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

• After thawing in the microwave, always cook immediately, whether microwave cooking, by conventional oven, or grilling.
• Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed and, indeed,  the food may have reached optimal temperatures for bacteria to grow.
• Foods thawed in the microwave should be cooked before refreezing.
• Also, never thaw foods in a garage, basement, car, dishwasher or plastic garbage bag; out on the kitchen counter, outdoors or on the  porch. These methods can leave your foods unsafe to eat.

• It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state.
• The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.