Thawing ground beef on the counter????

[tiggerlover]

I normally thaw my ground beef on the counter for about a half hour or an hour and then put it in the fridge. Yesterday I forgot and left it out (in 74 degree A/C) for about 8 hours. I know this may sound dumb, but can I still use it? Or is it better to just throw it out?

 

[Pin Wizard]

I would ditch it. Wouldn't want to take any chances.

 

[Bob Slydell]

What is the best way to thaw ground beef?

The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting is essential to prevent growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze it within 1 or 2 days.
To defrost ground beef more rapidly, you can defrost in the microwave oven or in cold water. If using the microwave, cook the ground beef immediately because some areas may begin to cook during the defrosting. To defrost in cold water, put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately. Do not refreeze ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven.

Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

 

[Mary Ellen]

Thawing ground beef on the counter for ANY time is NOT recommended. Eight hours!!!!!! THROW IT OUT.

Take a look at this Google search for more information and the risks.

 

[Kallison]

I thaw mine on the counter all the time and never had a problem. As long as it is still cold to the touch I personally would use it.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Kallison
I thaw mine on the counter all the time and never had a problem. As long as it is still cold to the touch I personally would use it.

Me too. Ground beef of course should be cooked thoroughly. The days of hamburger, medium rare are long behind us.

 

[leahannpen]

Honestly, I thaw mine on the counter also. If I'd leave it out too long, however, I'd dump it. I usually keep mine out until it's almost thawed, and then toss it in the fridge to finish thawing.

I've also taken meat from the freezer and thrown it in a pan and browned it, and it just takes longer, but it tastes just the same to me. So, since I've started doing that, I rarley thaw on the counter any more.

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Ground beef of course should be cooked thoroughly. The days of hamburger, medium rare are long behind us.

Not in this house, we might all die, but we eat medium rare to rare all the time, a steak on the grill, just so long as its not mooing anymore, its done enough for me

I understand your point Dawn, totally and the point is well taken, we just don't follow that rule...rebels aren't we

 

[GoodFairies]

Not in this house, we might all die, but we eat medium rare to rare all the time, a steak on the grill, just so long as its not mooing anymore, its done enough for me

Yeah, but ground meat is much more susceptible to bacterial invasion than whole cuts like steak . I never, ever thaw meat at room temperature. I certainly wouldn't eat or serve it after HOURS at room temperature.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
Not in this house, we might all die, but we eat medium rare to rare all the time, a steak on the grill, just so long as its not mooing anymore, its done enough for me

I understand your point Dawn, totally and the point is well taken, we just don't follow that rule...rebels aren't we

Oh definately! A steak cooked beyond medium rare is a waste of money but hamburgers are a different matter, having been processed through a meat grinder before it hits your table. One of my DS's, at the age of 16 had been repeatedly warned to cook hamburgers medium to well. One morning he woke DH up and said the toilet bowl was full of blood. He was right! DH is an infectious disease physician and just happen to have a culture tube handy. He obtained the culture, started him on Cipro just in case and the specimen came back e coli, I forgot the number but it was the bad one. Of course it was a reportable to the state infection. I am glad that he responded to the antibiotic. Some people do not.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
Not in this house, we might all die, but we eat medium rare to rare all the time, a steak on the grill, just so long as its not mooing anymore, its done enough for me

I understand your point Dawn, totally and the point is well taken, we just don't follow that rule...rebels aren't we

Oh definately! A steak cooked beyond medium rare is a waste of money but hamburgers are a different matter, having been processed through a meat grinder before it hits your table. One of my DS's, at the age of 16 had been repeatedly warned to cook hamburgers medium to well. One morning he woke DH up and said the toilet bowl was full of blood. He was right! DH is an infectious disease physician and just happen to have a culture tube handy. He obtained the culture, started him on Cipro just in case and the specimen came back e coli, I forgot the number but it was the bad one. Of course it was a reportable to the state infection. I am glad that he responded to the antibiotic. Some people do not.

 

[KristiKelly]

I would probably throw it out if it was not cold anymore. I do remember my mom thawing hamburger out all day on the counter though, and I lived to tell about it.

 

[lilpritch04]

I know you're not supposed to, but I've done it several times before and I've never had a problem. Make sure to clean off your counter tops though!

 

[monkeyboy]

my record with food is not so good

new moto

when in doubt ...toss it out


(or serve it to guests)

 

[pkasbohm]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
my record with food is not so good

new moto

when in doubt ...toss it out


(or serve it to guests)

i'm not coming to your van to eat!!


I thaw my hamb. out on the countertop all of the time--in fact just did it yesterday! I think it is alright as long as you don't leave it out all day!! I wrap mine i foil before i put it in the freezer, then just lay it out on a plate--after awhile i put it in the fridge once when it gets soft, but it is always still really cold.

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by GoodFairies
Yeah, but ground meat is much more susceptible to bacterial invasion than whole cuts like steak . I never, ever thaw meat at room temperature. I certainly wouldn't eat or serve it after HOURS at room temperature.

I just said I like it medium rare/rare...I didn't say eat or serve after being out for HOURS.....

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by pkasbohm
i'm not coming to your van to eat!!


I thaw my hamb. out on the countertop all of the time--in fact just did it yesterday! I think it is alright as long as you don't leave it out all day!! I wrap mine i foil before i put it in the freezer, then just lay it out on a plate--after awhile i put it in the fridge once when it gets soft, but it is always still really cold.

 

[LindaG4458]

I thaw under cold water. It's actually faster and the entire package stays at a more consistent temperature.

I agree that anything done more than medium rare is overcooked. My husband cringes when he sees my meat but it is luscious.

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by Kallison
I thaw mine on the counter all the time and never had a problem.

Me too. We raise our own beef and have hamburger frozen in 2# chubs. I leave it out on the counter for quite awhile (until the outside is starting to thaw) and then fry it in a large cast iron skillet until it is well done. We have never had a problem eating it when prepared this way.