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Defrosting Tips
&
Techniques
1
.
Freeze
meats,
poultry
and
fish
in
packages
with
only
1
or 2
layers
of food.
Place
wax
paper
between
layers.
2.
Package
in
heavy-duty
plastic
wraps,
bags
or freezer paper.
3.
Remove
as
much
air
as
possible.
4.
Wrap
should
be snug
against food,
sealed securely
and
labeled.
5.
Remove
wrapper
to
prevent
holding
steam
and
juice.
Juice
of
food
can
get hot
and cause
the outer surface or
bottom
of
the food
to
cook;
set
the food
on
a
microwave
roasting
rack
and
drain
liquid
during
defrosting.
6.
Place
meat
in
an
appropriate size
dish.
7.
Place
roast
fat-side
down
and whole
poultry breast-side
down
on a microwave
roasting
rack
in
a
dish.
8.
Place
small
items
on
a
microwave
roasting
rack
in
a
dish.
9.
Large
roasts
and whole
poultry
may
still
be
icy
in
center
after defrosting,
allow
to
stand
in
the
refrigerator
covered
with
plastic
wrap
(see
chart below).
1
0.
Fish
and
seafood should
be
slightly icy after
defrosting,
allow
to
stand
and
rinse
under
cold
water
for
2-3 minutes.
1
1
.
Defrosted items
in
2
layers
should
be
rinsed separately
or
have a
longer stand
time.
FOOD
DEFROST
TIME
(min.
per
pound)
DURING DEFROSTING
AFTER DEFROSTING
Stand
Time
Rinse
Fish
and
Seafood
[up
to
3
lb.
(1.5 kg)]
Crabmeat
12
to
14
Break
apart
5
min.
NO
Fish
Steaks
6
to
10
Turn over
Fish
Fillets
6
to
8
Turn over/Rearrange
YES
Sea
Scallops
14
to
16
Break apart/Remove
defrosted pieces
Shrimp
medium
8
to
10
Break apart/Remove
defrosted pieces
Whole
fish
10
to
12
Turn over
Meat
Ground
Meat*
8
to
10
Turn
over/Remove
defrosted
portion/Shield
edges
10
min.
NO
Roasts
[2'/»-4lb. (1.2
-2
kg)]
8
to
12
Turn
over/Shield
ends and
defrosted surface
30
min.
in refrig
Chops/Steak
8
to
10
Separate/Turn over/Rearrange
5
min.
Ribs/T -bone
8
to
10
Turn
over/Shield
Stew Meat
10
to
12
Break
apart/Shield
Liver
(thin
sliced)
8
to
10
Drain
liquid/Turn
over/Separate pieces
Bacon
4
to
6
Turn over
Poultry
Chicken,
Whole
[up
to
3
lb.
(1.5 kg)]
6
to
10
Turn over 2
or
3
times/Shield defrosted parts
20
min.
in refrig
YES
NO
Cutlets
6
to
8
Turn over
5
min.
Pieces
8
to
10
Separate
10
min.
Cornish
Hens
8
to
12
Turn over/Rearrange
YES
Turkey
Breast
[5
-
6
lbs.
(2.5
-
3
kg)]
8
to
12
Turn over 2
to
3
times
20
min.
in refrig
-11
-
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