Ground beef is a versatile year-round grocery staple and one that freezes well, so it’s great to keep a pack or two in the freezer. We especially love having ground beef on hand in summer for grilling burgers and backyard barbecues. But it’s easy to forget to defrost ground beef ahead of time, so knowing how to quickly thaw hamburger meat is key. For the best ways of how to thaw ground beef, we consulted Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, nutrition expert at FoodNetwork.com and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Health Shots.

Why Proper Thawing Matters

Properly thawing ground beef is crucial to prevent bacterial growth and cross-contamination, and to ensure optimal texture.

“Properly thawed ground beef should spring back to the touch, have no smell or odor, and have a bright red or sometimes darker red color, depending on the method it was frozen,” Amidor says. “Also, it should be kept at 40 degrees F or below.”

Keeping ground beef at 40 degrees F or below is critical to prevent bacteria from growing. “The time-temperature danger zone is the temperature between 40 to 140 degrees F where bacteria love foods high in carbs and/or protein, like meat,” Amidor says. “If food is left in the temperature danger zone of over 4 hours during the preparation process, pathogenic bacteria can grow to high amounts that can make people sick.”

This is one reason why thawing meat overnight on the countertop is not recommended. “Thawing on the countertop overnight can lead to bacteria growing in such high amounts that even cooking won't make the food safe,” Amidor says. “In addition, thawing on the countertop can allow the drippings from the food to drip all over the countertop and even into drawers, which can contaminate the area with potentially hazardous microorganisms.”

Signs of improperly thawed ground beef can include discolorations like green, purple or white spots, a bad odor and a texture that is mushy to the touch, according to Amidor. Additionally, if the meat was thawed and refrozen (for example, if you left it in a hot car for hours and then refroze it) it will develop large ice crystals which indicates improper handling.

Thawing Ground Beef in the Refrigerator

Thawing ground beef in the refrigerator is the safest method, but it also takes the longest time. Here is how to thaw ground beef in the fridge:

Step 1: Check your refrigerator temperature

Ensure it is set to 40 degrees F or below.

Step 2: Make room on the bottom shelf of the fridge

This will prevent juices from dripping which can lead to cross-contamination. “Thawed beef should be stored on the lower shelf of the refrigerator, below any ready-to-eat food like fresh fruit and vegetables,” Amidor says.

Step 3: Place the ground beef in its packaging in a shallow container

"The container will catch any juices that may drip," Amidor says.

Step 4: Cover the container and place in the fridge

The ground beef will thaw in about 2 days, so plan ahead and follow these steps a couple of days before you need it.

Once the ground beef is thawed, prep and cook within 1 to 2 days. Do not refreeze ground beef after thawing.

Thawing Ground Beef Using Cold Water

Thawing ground beef in cold water is a quicker method than defrosting it in the fridge alone, but it also requires more maintenance. Here is how to thaw ground beef using cold water:

Step 1: Clean and sanitize the kitchen sink

You'll need to do this before and after thawing ground beef. Also, remove any dishes from the sink before thawing ground beef in there.

Step 2: Put the ground beef in a leak-proof plastic bag or container

It's important that the water does not directly come in contact with the meat.

Step 3: Place the wrapped meat in a large bowl set inside the kitchen sink

Using a bowl allows the meat to be evenly surrounded by water and to thaw evenly.

Step 4: Fill the bowl with cool water (below 70 degrees F)

Don't use hot water because it may begin to cook the meat.

Step 5: Change the water every 30 minutes so the food doesn't sit in bacteria

You will need to soak the ground beef for about 30 minutes per pound of meat. Keep an eye on the timer so the water gets changed regularly.

“This method can also be combined with thawing in the refrigerator,” Amidor says. “If you find that you thawed ground beef in the fridge but it just needs a bit more thawing, then you can use the cool water method to finish the thawing.”

Once the ground beef is thawed, prep and cook it right away. Do not refreeze ground beef after thawing.

Step 6: Clean and sanitize the kitchen sink after defrosting the ground beef

For more information, check out our primer How to Defrost Meat: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Using the Microwave to Thaw Ground Beef

Thawing ground beef in the microwave is the fastest method. However, due to the uneven distribution of heat, some of the meat may start getting cooked, so it's especially important to cook the defrosted ground beef immediately after thawing.

Step 1: Transfer the ground beef from its packaging to a microwave-safe container

Step 2: Cover loosely with plastic wrap

Step 3: Choose the defrost feature on the microwave

Check your microwave’s user manual to ensure proper thawing settings.

Once the ground beef is thawed, prep and cook it right away. You can continue cooking the meat in the microwave, cook it on the stovetop, in the oven or any other method you choose. Do not refreeze ground beef after thawing.

Quick Tips for Thawing Ground Beef

Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes When Thawing Ground Beef

• Allow ample time to defrost ground beef in the fridge. It can take one to two days to thaw ground beef in the refrigerator. If it’s a large amount, you may need to account for an extra day or two.
• Don’t thaw ground beef on the countertop. This can lead to pathogenic bacteria growing to high amounts that can make you sick.
• Place ground beef on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Never place it above ready-to-eat foods like fruits and vegetables or a cake.
• Never refreeze thawed meat. “You shouldn't refreeze thawed meat — it can put the meat at a higher risk of having pathogenic bacteria grow,” Amidor says. “Also, the quality of the meat can be compromised, as when it is refrozen, you get ice crystals.”

How to Handle Emergency Thawing Situations

What if you need ground beef in a hurry? For emergency thawing situations, you have a few options:

• Microwave: Defrost ground beef in the microwave, then cook the thawed ground beef immediately afterwards.
• Cold water soak: If you’re thawing a small amount of ground beef, like 1 pound or less, then soaking it in cool water can be done swiftly.
• Rapid meat defrost tray: You can also invest in a rapid meat defrost tray, which our product testing showed defrosts meat in less than an hour.

Related Links:

75 Ground Beef Recipes That Take the Guesswork Out of Dinner

70 Burger Recipes That Will Make Your Mouth Water

Our 18 Best Healthy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner and Beyond