Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Thawing in cold water
• Method 2 of 2: Defrosting in the microwave
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

The most effective and reliable way to defrost a pork steak is to defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. But for this, everything needs to be planned in advance. Luckily, even if the steak is still in the freezer when you get home, you will have time to cook everything on time. You can defrost your steak quickly and safely with cold water and a microwave.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Thawing in cold water

1. 1 Prepare a bowl of cold tap water. The key to the success of defrosting food safely is temperature. The water must be cold. Pour enough water into a bowl to completely submerge the pork steak.
   • Bacteria multiply faster if the temperature is over 5 ° C, and cold water keeps the temperature cool.
2. 2 Wrap the steak in a waterproof wrap. Wrap each steak in a separate wrap, or if they are all stacked on top of one another, wrap them in a single zippered plastic bag. Inside the bag, the meat will be protected from water and bacteria in the air.
3. 3 Submerge the steaks in a cold bath. The water should not reach room temperature, so change it every 20-30 minutes.
   • You can put the bowl under an open tap, but this will use up a lot of water.
4. 4 Remove the steaks from the bowl when they are thawed. Individually, the steaks will thaw for about 30 minutes. If you defrost stacked steaks, the top and bottom will be thawed first. When they are thawed, separate them from the rest of the steaks and put them in the refrigerator. Wrap the rest of the steaks in a bag and immerse them in cold water again.
   • Once the steaks are thawed, they cannot be re-frozen raw, but cooked steaks can be frozen.

Method 2 of 2: Defrosting in the microwave

1. 1 Arrange the steaks evenly on a microwave-safe plate. If you only have one steak, place it in the center of the plate. If there are three steaks, divide the plate into three equal portions. Remove the wrapping to defrost steaks more evenly.
   • If the steaks are of different sizes, place the smallest or thinnest steak in the center, as the edges of the plate get hotter.
2. 2 Heat steaks on low (30%) or medium (50%) power for 2 minutes. Each microwave oven model may have a different power and efficiency. Heat steaks on low (30%) or medium (50%) power for 2 minutes. Each microwave oven model may have a different power and efficiency.
   • Defrosting mode corresponds to 30-50% power.
3. 3 Turn steaks over and thaw for another 2 minutes. Since steaks do not heat up evenly in the microwave, they must be turned over and moved to ensure a more even heat distribution. Use a fork or chopsticks to slide the steaks together and reheat until thawed, which can take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the number of chunks.
   • If the steaks are on top of each other, turn on the microwave at 30 second intervals and place the steaks in a single layer as soon as possible.
   • While defrosting, the edges of the steaks may begin to cook.
4. 4 Remove the defrosted steaks from the microwave and cook them. Because food thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately, the steaks must be thawed about 10 minutes before pan, grill, or oven frying.
   • Again, before freezing the steak again, it must be cooked first.

Tips

• Thawing meat in the refrigerator is the safest way. Defrosting times will depend on the size of the meat, but pork steaks are usually enough for one night. In comparison, a whole turkey should be thawed for 1 to 3 days.
• If you decide to defrost meat in the fridge, be aware that the bottom shelf is the coldest in the fridge freezer. At the same time, in refrigerators with an ice maker, the coldest part is at the top.

Warnings

• Never leave perishable foods like frozen pork steaks to defrost on the counter. This makes them vulnerable to bacteria, which can jeopardize your health.
• Do not take perishable food out of the refrigerator or freezer for more than 2 hours.
• Remember to wash your hands with soap and any utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat during defrosting.

What do you need

• Large bowl (or saucepan)
• Water
• Plastic bags
• Microwave
• Microwave safe plate
• Fork or chopsticks