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Defrosting Tips
&
Techniques
Before
Freezing:
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
(labeled "For Freezer"), or freezer paper.
3.
Remove
as
much
air
as
possible,
i.e.
create a
vacuum.
4.
Seal
securely, date,
and
label.
To
Defrost:
1
.
Remove
wrapper. This helps moisture
to
evaporate. Juices
from
food
can
get hot
and cook
the
food.
2.
Set food
on microwave
safe
roasting
rack
in
an
appropriately sized
dish.
3.
Place
roasts
fat-side
down.
Place
whole
poultry
breast-side
down.
4.
Drain
liquids
during
defrosting.
5.
Turn over
(invert)
items during
defrosting.
6.
Shield
edges and ends
if
needed. (See
Cooking
Techniques).
7.
Select
power and
minimum
time
so
that
items
will
be
under-defrosted.
After Defrosting:
1.
Large
items
may
be
icy
in
the center. Defrosting
will
complete
during
STANDING
TIME.
2.
Let stand,
covered
with
plastic
wrap,
in
the
refrigerator for
time
shown
in
the chart below.
3.
See
chart
below
for
standing time
and
rinsing directions.
4.
Items
which
have been
layered
should
be
rinsed separately or
have a
longer stand
time.
FOOD
DEFROST
TIME
at
P3
(minVlb.)
DURING DEFROSTING
AFTER DEFROSTING
Stand Time
Rinse
Fish
and Seafood
[up
to
3
lbs.
(1.4 kg)]
Crabmeat
6
Break apart/Rearrange
5
min.
YES
Fish
Steaks
4
to
6
Turn over
Fish
Fillets
4
to
6
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield
ends
Sea
Scallops
4
to
6
Break apart/Remove
defrosted pieces
Whole
fish
4
to
6
Turn over
Meat
Ground Meat
4
to
5
Turn
over/Remove
defrosted
portion/
Shield
edges
10
min.
NO
Roasts
[2Vr4bs.
(1.1-1.8
kg)]
4
to
8
Turn
over/Shield
ends and
defrosted surface
30
min.
in refrig.
Chops/Steak
6
to
8
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield
ends and
defrosted surface
5 min.
Ribs/T-bone
6
to
8
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield
ends and
defrosted surface
Stew Meat
4
to
8
Break
apart/Rearrange/
Remove
defrosted pieces
Liver
(thin
sliced)
4
to
6
Drain
liquid/Turn
over/
Separate pieces
Bacon
(sliced)
4
Turn over
Poultry
Chicken,
Whole
[up
to
3
lbs.
(1.4 kg)]
4
to
6
Turn
over/Shield
20
min.
in refrig.
YES
Cutlets
4
to
6
Break
apart/Turn over/
Remove
defrosted
Pieces
5
min.
Pieces
4
to
6
Break
apart/Turn over/Shield
10
min.
Cornish
Hens
6
to
8
Turn
over/Shield
Turkey Breast
[5-6
lbs.
(2.3-2.7 kg)]
6
Turn
over/Shield
20
min.
in refrig.
11
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