How To: Freeze and Quick-Thaw Meats

Buying meat in bulk can save you money and time (in the form of last-minute supermarket trips). Keep it fresher longer—this video shows how.

Meat, large glass bowl, freezer-safe plastic wrap, freezer-safe resealable plastic bags, plastic cutting board, cold tap water

1Divide meat into portions
Separating the meat into servings allows you to defrost and use only your desired amount.
2Wrap meat
Tightly cover the meat with freezer-safe plastic wrap.
3Place in resealable plastic bag
Squeeze out excess air and zip closed. This will prevent the food from getting freezer burned—those grayish spots that appear when food is exposed to too much oxygen.

Aha! While meat stays fresh only one week in supermarket packaging, it will last two months if repackaged in wrap, then bagged.
4Defrost in water
When you’re ready to defrost the meat for cooking, leave the food in the watertight bag and immerse it in a large bowl of cold water. Change the water occasionally since the thawing process may render the water too cold. Small pieces may defrost in 15 to 20 minutes.

Tip: Don't use this process for more than two hours or you’ll risk bacterial growth.