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Before Freezing:
1. Freeze meats, poultry and fish in packages with only 1 or 2 layers of food.
Place wax paper between layers.
2. Package in heavy-duty plastic wraps, bags (labelled “For Freezer”) or freezer paper.
3. Remove as much air as possible, i.e. create a vacuum.
4. Seal securely, date and label.
To Defrost:
1. Remove wrapper. This helps moisture to evaporate.
Juices from food can get hot and cook the food.
2. Set food on microwave safe roasting rack in an appropriately sized dish.
3. Place roasts fat-side down. Place whole poultry breast-side down.
4. Drain liquids during defrosting.
5. Turn over (invert) items during defrosting.
6. Shield edges and ends if needed. (See Cooking Techniques-Shielding).
7. Select power and minimum time so that items will not be over-defrosted.
After Defrosting:
1. Large items may be icy in the centre. Defrosting will complete during STANDING TIME.
2. Let stand, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for time shown in the chart below.
3. See chart below for standing time and rinsing directions.
4. Items which have been layered should be rinsed separately or have a longer stand time.
FOOD
DEFROST TIME
DURING DEFROSTING
AFTER DEFROSTING
min/Kg min/Lb
Stand Time
Rinse
(P3)
(cold water)
Fish and Seafood
[up to 3 lbs (1.4 kg)]
Crabmeat
12
6
Break apart/Rearrange
Fish Steaks
8 to 12
4 to 6
Turn over
Fish Fillets
8 to 12
4 to 6
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield ends
5 min
YES
Sea Scallops
8 to 12
4 to 6
Break apart/Remove defrosted pieces
Whole fish
8 to 12
4 to 6
Turn over
Meat
Ground Meat
8 to 10
4 to 5
Turn over/Remove defrosted portion/Shield edges
10 min
Roasts
8 to 16
4 to 8
Turn over/Shield ends and defrosted surface
30 min. in
[2
1
/
2
- 4 lbs (1.1-1.8 kg)]
refrigerator
Chops/Steak
12 to 16
6 to 8
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield ends and defrosted surface
Ribs/T-bone
12 to 16
6 to 8
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield ends and defrosted surface
NO
Stew Meat
8 to 16
4 to 8
Break apart/Rearrange/Remove defrosted pieces
5 min
Liver (thin sliced)
8 to 12
4 to 6
Drain liquid/Turn over/Separate pieces
Bacon (sliced)
8
4
Turn over
- - -
Poultry
Chicken, Whole
8 to 12
4 to 6
Turn over/Shield
20 min. in
[up to 3 lbs (1.4 kg)]
refrigerator
Cutlets
8 to 12
4 to 6
Break apart/Turn over/Remove defrosted pieces
5 min
Pieces
8 to 12
4 to 6
Break apart/Turn over/Shield
YES
Cornish Hens
12 to 16
6 to 8
Turn over/Shield
10 min
Turkey Breast
12
6
Turn over/Shield
20 min. in
[5 - 6 lbs (2.3 - 2.7 kg)]
refrigerator
Defrosting Tips & Techniques
