How to dethaw multiple pieces of steak when not planning to use them all at once
I had bought six pieces of steak and forgot to refrigerate them. They were in a bag overnight and the next morning when I realized what had happened I quickly put them all in the freezer. They are not individually wrapped. How can I thaw one out and leave the rest frozen? Or should I thaw them all out and keep them in the refrigerator and eat them over the next several days?
Best Answer
In your specific case I wouldn't eat them after being left unrefrigerated all night due to safety concerns.
However if I've frozen steak safely and later decided that I want single portion I've found found that a cold chisel normally used for metalworking does a good job of seperating them without defrosting the whole lot. The following image from Wikipedia illustrates what they look like:
I place the meat on a wooden cutting board on it's edge, press the chisel in between where the steaks are joined and give it a quick strike with a hammer. I've tried doing the same with a meat cleaver but the narrow edge on the chisel seems much easier and more effective.
Presumably the steel used may not be food grade in the usual sense but being tempered I can't see any realistic chance of anything nasty being transferred to the meat, assuming it's clean of course.
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Quick Answer about "How to dethaw multiple pieces of steak when not planning to use them all at once"
To defrost in hot water, you'll fill your sink or a large pot with hot tap water. Sealed in a ziptop bag, submerge up to two steaks in the water. It can be helpful to use a heavy plate or pot to keep it submerged and surrounded by water. Within 30 minutes, you'll have defrosted steak ready to go!How do you defrost a steak without ruining it?
The best way to defrost steak is to place it in your refrigerator overnight to allow it to come to temperature at a slower, but safer rate. You can also place the steak in a sealable plastic bag and submerge it in hot water for 10-20 minutes to quickly defrost it.How do you separate two frozen steaks?
Wrap the steaks in plastic wrap or freezer paper to freeze. Once frozen, transfer to vacuum bag and draw vacuum. Place two steaks in the bag next to each other, separated by ~1in (depending on thickness of steak, you want the bag to be able to conform to the shape of the steak).How do you separate frozen meat slices?
The best way to defrost meat, including steaks, is by leaving them in their vacuum-sealed packaging, placing them flat on a plate to catch drippings and then putting them in the refrigerator. You should give at least 24 hours for your steaks to thaw completely, but some thicker cuts may require more time.The Best Way to Thaw Meat
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