How to Defrost Ground Beef

Ground beef is a freezer staple in most kitchens. Whether it’s Taco Night, spaghetti time, or an elegant weeknight dinner of fragrant, stuffed peppers, ground beef is a reliable and versatile item to have on hand.

But before cooking ground beef, it’s important to defrost it safely.

Improperly defrosting frozen ground beef can cause bacteria to proliferate, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. It’s essential to follow proper defrosting methods to be sure that your ground beef reaches its ready-to-cook temperature safely.

How to Defrost Ground Beef

There are several methods for defrosting ground beef quickly and safely, depending on your needs and available equipment.

Let’s discuss the most common ones, so you have several options to choose from.

Defrost Ground Beef in the Microwave

The refrigerator is our preferred defrosting method (see below), but in a pinch, defrosting ground beef in the microwave can be a convenient and speedy option when you’re in a rush.

• Remove the packaging or wrapping before placing the raw ground beef in a microwave-safe dish.
• Place the dish in the microwave.
• Select your microwave’s defrost setting or low power level if there is no defrost option.

How Long It Takes to Defrost Ground Beef in the Microwave

The exact time needed will depend on the beef's thickness and your microwave's wattage. Generally, two to three minutes of defrosting time per pound of beef is recommended.

*Important* We recommend pausing to check the defrost progress every minute or two, to prevent the edges from cooking while the center remains frozen.

Once the ground beef has thawed, cook it immediately to ensure food safety.

Defrost Ground Beef in Cold Water 

Some people prefer not to use the microwave to defrost their meat. Fair enough. If that’s you, a cold tap water defrost might be your ideal method.

The cold water method helps to keep the outer layers of the ground beef at a safe temperature while allowing the frozen center to thaw gradually. Do not use warm or hot water, which can promote harmful bacterial growth on the outer surface of the meat.

• Place the beef in a leak-proof package, making sure it's sealed well.
• Submerge the package in a bowl or sink filled with cold water.
• Change the water every 30 minutes to maintain its cold temperature.

How Long It Takes to Defrost Ground Beef in Cold Water

Defrosting ground beef in cold water requires approximately 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound of beef.

However, as with the microwave method, it's vital to cook the ground beef immediately after it has thawed to avoid any bacterial growth.

Defrost Ground Beef in the Refrigerator

If you tend to plan meals at least 24 hours in advance, defrosting ground beef in the refrigerator might be the method that hits the sweet spot for you.

• Place the wrapped beef on a plate/tray to catch any drips and prevent cross-contamination.
• Make sure that your fridge maintains a constant temperature of 40°F or below.

How Long It Takes to Defrost Ground Beef in the Refrigerator

Thawing ground beef in the refrigerator requires patience, but ensures the safest results.

On average, it takes approximately 24 hours to defrost one pound of ground beef in the fridge. Larger quantities may require additional time.

Once fully thawed, the ground beef can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking.

Defrost Ground Beef in the Air Fryer

If an air fryer is one of your culinary best friends, you’ll be thrilled to learn that you can defrost ground beef using this versatile kitchen appliance.

• Place the frozen beef (sans packaging, of course) in the air fryer basket.
• Set the air fryer to a low temperature, around 175°F.

How Long It Takes to Defrost Ground Beef in the Air Fryer

The defrosting time in an air fryer will vary based on the model of your machine and the beef's thickness.

On average, it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to defrost ground beef in an air fryer.

Similar to the microwave method, remember to check the progress regularly and adjust the settings if needed.

Defrost Ground Beef in the Instant Pot

The Instant Pot, known for its adaptability to numerous cooking scenarios, can also be used to defrost ground beef.

• Place the frozen beef in the Instant Pot and add a cup of water to provide moisture.
• Set the Instant Pot to the "Warm" or "Keep Warm" function, and allow the beef to thaw.

How Long It Takes to Defrost Ground Beef in the Instant Pot

Defrosting ground beef in the Instant Pot usually takes around 10-15 minutes for the beef to thaw completely.

Once defrosted, remove the ground beef from the Instant Pot and cook it immediately.

Grass-Fed Ground Beef

When defrosting grass-fed ground beef, it's essential to follow the same methods as conventional ground beef. However, due to its leaner nature, grass-fed beef may thaw more quickly.

Keep a close eye on the defrosting process to prevent over-thawing and ensure optimal texture and flavor in your final dish.

Why grass-fed and grass-finished beef matters

There are significant differences between conventionally-raised beef and grass-fed and grass-finished beef.

We created a helpful Grass-Fed and Grass-Finished Beef Guide explaining the differences between grass-fed and grass-finished beef, and how both designations differ substantially from conventionally-raised meat. Here are two highlights:

1. Grass is a cow’s natural diet.

When cows are fed grains (the food stock most commonly used on conventional feedlots), they:

• Experience digestive issues
• Require antibiotics to address health problems
• Produce meat with a lower nutritional value
• Produce meat with an imbalanced Omega 6:3 ratio, which has been linked to inflammation and chronic diseases.

2. Pasture-raised beef is better for the land and the animals.

Cattle feedlots, also known as CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations), lead to numerous negative impacts on the land and surrounding environment, including:

• Soil degradation
• Water pollution
• Groundwater contamination
• Land and habitat fragmentation
• Greenhouse gas emissions

This is why Grass Roots is committed to raising cattle with transparent standards like:

• 100% pasture-raised animals
• Animals live outdoors as nature intended, grazing freely on non-GMO pasture
• Animals are all born, raised, and harvested in the USA
• No grain or grain by-products
• No antibiotics or added hormones
• Regenerative farming techniques that foster a diversity of plants, use no-till methods, and incorporate grazing animals to restore soil quality and natural waterways.

Explore the rest of our Grass-Fed and Grass-Finished Beef Guide to learn more.