Defrosting Mince: The Ultimate Guide to Safe Defrosting

Why is it important to defrost properly?

Whether you’re defrosting mince, another cut of meat or even veggies, it may have bacteria, which could be harmful, especially if the food isn’t defrosted properly. To ensure your food is safe and that you can enjoy the beef recipe of your choice, you should always defrost properly.

Some people argue that the meat will defrost as you cook it. However, if only the outside is defrosted, the inside will take longer to cook. As a result, the inside of your meat may not be cooked properly, even if the outside is. The inside will then have harmful bacteria in it.

How long does defrosting mince take?

When you put mince into the freezer, try to pack it into storage containers or sandwich bags. If your mince is very “thick”, it’ll take longer to defrost. If you want it to defrost quickly and safely, freeze it in smaller portions. Ultimately, the time it takes for mince to defrost depends on the temperature of your fridge. Still, if you give it a check after about 6 hours, it should be defrosted. For best results, freeze the meat in smaller portions of 100g each.=

Popular mince meat recipes

Once you’re confident in defrosting minced meat, instead of the usual spaghetti bolognese or shepherd’s pie, give one of these recipes a try —they’re delicious, nutritious and take just 30 minutes to whip up. To complement your meal, consider preparing some veggie side dishes for a balanced and flavourful plate. For everything you need to know about cooking mince so that it’s full of flavour every time, check out how to cook minced beef and spice up your dinnertime!

• Quick Hearty Beef & Hidden Veggie Pie
• Vietnamese caramelised beef bowl
• Mexican beef mince & bean chilli
• Beef Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mash & Rocket Salad