How Long Should You Cook Beef After Defrosting?

Having a freezer full of ButcherBox’s delicious meat ready to go whenever you want a great meal is one of life’s simple pleasures.

But we understand that knowing exactly what to do with your frozen meat can be a little confusing. ButcherBox is lucky to have meat industry experts and experienced chefs on staff who can answer all of our most important questions about how to store and defrost frozen meat. We put together this guide, to share that wisdom.

At the end of this post, we also have some tips on how to organize your meat and make the most of the space in your freezer once your frozen meat arrives.

Defrosting beef correctly is crucial for food safety. Eating undercooked beef that was improperly thawed can make you sick. Here’s a guide on how long to cook beef after defrosting to make sure it’s safe to eat.

Overview

Beef can be thawed using a microwave, in cold water, or in the refrigerator.
The defrosting method impacts how long beef should be cooked after thawing.
Microwaved or cold water thawed beef should be cooked immediately.
Refrigerator thawed beef can be cooked within 1-5 days, depending on cut.
Ground beef should be cooked within 1-2 days of refrigerator thawing.
Steaks, roasts and chops should be cooked within 3-5 days.

Why Proper Defrosting Is Important

Freezing meat prevents bacterial growth However, bacteria on meat before freezing can revive during thawing and multiply rapidly at temperatures above 40°F. Improper thawing promotes bacterial growth, increasing the risk of foodborne illness if undercooked

Proper thawing keeps beef at safe temperatures during the defrosting process. This limits bacteria growth and reduces the risk when cooking beef to recommended internal temperatures after thawing.

Thawing Methods and Cook Times

Microwave Thawing

Microwaving is the fastest thawing method. It can defrost beef in minutes, depending on thickness.

Guidelines for microwave thawing:

Remove all packaging and place beef on a microwave-safe dish.
Use the defrost setting at low power. This thaws the beef evenly.
Cook microwaved beef immediately after thawing. Portions may begin to cook during microwaving. Any bacteria present could grow rapidly.

After microwaving, beef should be cooked immediately to a safe internal temperature.

Cold Water Thawing

Submerging sealed beef in cold water can safely thaw it in a few hours Here are tips for cold water thawing

Place beef in a leak-proof plastic bag. Submerge in cold water.
Change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold.
Cook beef immediately after thawing, even before refreezing.

Beef thawed in cold water should be cooked right away after thawing.

Refrigerator Thawing

For slower thawing, the refrigerator maintains beef at a safe temperature. Thawing time depends on the cut:

Ground beef: 24 hours
Steaks, chops: 24 hours per inch of thickness
Roasts: 24 hours per 5 pounds

Cook refrigerated thawed beef within the following time limits:

Ground beef: 1-2 days
Steaks, chops: 3-5 days
Roasts: 3-5 days

Refrigerator thawing times allow beef to be thawed conveniently in advance. But remember to cook within the safe timeframe after thawing.

Cook Thawed Beef Thoroughly

Always use a food thermometer to verify beef reaches a safe internal temperature after thawing. Recommended minimum cooking temperatures are:

Ground beef: 160°F
Roasts, steaks: 145°F

Cooking to these temperatures kills any bacteria that may have multiplied during improper thawing. Well-done beef may require higher temperatures.

If unsure of thawing time or concerned about bacteria growth, it’s safest to cook beef to 165°F internal temperature.

Safety Tips

Don’t thaw beef at room temperature or in hot water. This allows bacteria to grow rapidly.
When in doubt, cook beef thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature.
Marinate thawed beef in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Refrigerate thawed beef 1-2 days before cooking, or refreeze for later use.
Don’t refreeze thawed beef more than once. This seriously impacts quality.

Follow these guidelines on how long to cook beef after defrosting, and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal temperatures. This ensures thawed beef stays fresh and free of dangerous bacteria when enjoyed.

how long after defrosting beef should it be cooked

Defrosting any meat outside of the refrigerator

If you dry the meat out outside of the fridge or with cold water, the rules are a little different.

What to know about defrosting in the refrigerator

The safest way to thaw frozen meat is in the refrigerator. Generally, an average size cut of meat takes a day to fully defrost in a fridge. Larger cuts or whole birds (like a turkey) take about 24 hours per five pounds to thaw.

The times mentioned below are what the USDA recommends for storing meat after it has defrosted in the fridge.

Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?

FAQ

How long do you have to cook beef after defrosting?

After thawing beef in the refrigerator, you don’t have to cook it right away. Ground beef can be stored an additional 1 to 2 days before cooking; beef roasts and steaks may be stored 3 to 5 additional days before cooking.

Can I eat meat 48 hours after defrosting?

Keep meat/poultry separate from other food when it is defrosting, to prevent cross-contamination. Once food has been defrosted you should use it immediately (within one day).

How long can ground beef thaw in the fridge?

In the refrigerator, ground beef, stew meat, and steaks may thaw within a day. Bone-in parts and whole roasts may take 2 days or longer. Once the raw ground beef thaws, it will be safe in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. All other cuts of beef can be refrigerated safely for 3 to 5 additional days before cooking.

How long can raw beef sit out after thawing?

Two hours is the limit for keeping food safe outside the refrigerator or freezer; one hour if the outside temperature is 90 °F ( 32.2 °C) or above. Frozen food can thaw if it is exposed to the sun’s rays even when the temperature is very cold.

How long after thawing can you cook beef?

You don’t have to cook the beef right away after it has thawed in the refrigerator. Beef roasts and steaks can be kept for an additional 3 to 5 days before cooking, while ground beef can be kept for an additional 1 to 2 days. How long after defrosting beef can it be cooked?

How long should thawed meat be cooked?

Once thawed, cook meat and poultry products within the following time frame: Ground meat, stew meat, poultry, and seafood should be cooked within 1 to 2 days. Red meat cuts (such as beef, pork or lamb roasts, chops and steaks) should be cooked within 3 to 5 days.

Can You refreeze meat after thawing?

Pieces of red meat, like beef steaks, lamb chops and pork chops or roasts, should be cooked within three to five days of thawing. It’s OK to refreeze meat without cooking if it’s been thawed in the refrigerator, but some quality may be jeopardized. Read more: The Carnivore Diet: Is Going All-Meat Right for You?

How to defrost meat?

Here are answers to all your questions about how to defrost meat. What’s the safest way to defrost meat? The absolute best method for defrosting meat safely is overnight in the refrigerator until it is completely thawed.