Thawing frozen meat, poultry or seafood at room temperature is not safe. Bacteria can grow at room temperature while the food thaws.

There are 3 safe ways to thaw foods.

Thaw in the refrigerator.

You can thaw frozen meat, poultry or seafood in the refrigerator. But, keep in mind juices from these frozen food items can leak. These juices could contain harmful bacteria that you would not want to spread. So, put frozen food on a plate or pan to catch any leaking juices. Cook the food as soon as possible after thawing. Leaving thawed food in the refrigerator too long is unsafe.

If you are planning to cook immediately after thawing, you can:

Thaw in cold water.

If you choose this option, remember to replace the water. This is because the water can warm up to room temperature as the food thaws. Replace with new, cold water every 30 minutes. Once thawed, food must be cooked immediately.

Thaw in the microwave.

Thawing in the microwave is fine. Just check your microwave’s owner’s manual for instructions. Cook right away after thawing.

What if I don’t have time to thaw frozen foods?

It is true that thawing can take a while. Here’s the good news: You can cook foods from frozen. But, it will take longer. About 50% longer. Use a food thermometer to make sure the food has reached a safe temperature.