22
DEFROSTING GUIDE
1. Food packaged in paper or plastic may be defrosted
without unwrapping. If food is foil wrapped,
remove foil and place food in cooking dish for
defrosting. Most food defrosts well using Defrost
(3). For more even defrosting of larger foods, such
as beef, lamb and veal roasts, use Warm (1).
2. After first half of defrosting time, unwrap package
and check food. Turn food over, if necessary; break
apart or separate food if possible. Shield any warm
areas with small pieces of foil.
3. Be sure large meats are completely defrosted
before cooking.
4. When defrosted, food should be cool but softened
in all areas. If still slightly icy, return to microwave
oven very briefly, or let stand a few minutes.
Food
Time
Comments
Breads, Cakes
[Power Level: Defrost (3)]
Bread, buns or rolls (1 piece)
1/4 min.
Sweet rolls
2 to 4 min.
Rearrange after half of time.
(approx. 12 oz.)
Fish and Seafood
[Power Level: Defrost (3)]
Fillets, frozen (1 lb.)
6 to 9 min.
Shellfish, small pieces
3 to 7 min.
Place block in casserole.
(1 lb.)
Turn over and break up after first half of time.
Fruit
[Power Level: Defrost (3)]
Plastic pouch—1 to 2
1 to 5 min.
(10-oz. package)
Meat
[Power Level: Defrost (3)]
Bacon (1 lb.)
2 to 5 min.
Place unopened package in oven. Let stand 5 minutes after defrosting.
Franks (1 lb.)
2 to 5 min.
Place unopened package in oven. Microwave just until franks can be
separated. Let stand 5 minutes, if necessary, to complete defrosting.
Ground meat (1 lb.)
4 to 6 min.
Turn meat over after first half of time.
Roast: beef, lamb, veal, pork
9 to 13 min. per lb.
Use power level Warm (1).
Steaks, chops and cutlets
4 to 8 min. per lb.
Place unwrapped meat in cooking dish. Turn over after first half
of time and shield warm areas with foil. After second half of time,
separate pieces with table knife. Let stand to complete defrosting.
Poultry
[Power Level: Defrost (3)]
Chicken, broiler-fryer,
14 to 20 min.
Place wrapped chicken in dish. Unwrap and turn over after first half
cut up (2
1
⁄
2
to 3 lbs.)
of time. After second half of time, separate pieces and place in cooking
dish. Microwave 2 to 4 minutes more, if necessary. Let stand a few
minutes to finish defrosting.
Chicken, whole
20 to 25 min.
Place wrapped chicken in dish. After first half of time, unwrap and
(2
1
⁄
2
to 3 lbs.)
turn chicken over. Shield warm areas with foil. To complete defrosting,
run cool water in cavity until giblets can be removed.
Cornish hen
7 to 13 min. per lb.
Place unwrapped hen in oven breast-side-up. Turn over after first half
of time. Run cool water in cavity until giblets can be removed.
Turkey breast (4 to 6 lbs.)
3 to 8 min. per lb.
Place unwrapped breast in microwave-safe dish breast-side-down. After
first half of time, turn breast-side-up and shield warm areas with foil.
Defrost for second half of time. Let stand 1 to 2 hours in refrigerator
to complete defrosting.
