The microwave isn't the only solution when you're craving a quick lunch - there's an even cooler way that will wake up your frozen meat faster than your first cup of coffee in the morning. There's nothing worse than realizing at 11am that you forgot to take the meat out of the freezer. You can already see the scenario in your head: lunch postponed, panic in the kitchen, disappointed faces (read: yours). And just when you're about to give up, that inner drama queen inside you comes out and thinks: "This is it. We're going to eat pasta today." But not so fast!
Before you reach for microwave ovens (which often cooks more than it defrosts) or dropping the meat into a hot water bath (which, let's face it, isn't the most culinaryly sophisticated move), we offer you a solution used by the pros. No, it doesn't require expensive equipment, just a little ingenuity and... a few kitchen utensils you already have at home.
Turbo defrosting: how?
You need two metal containers – ideally aluminum (because aluminum is not only for foil, but also a magical conductor of heat). Turn the first container upside down and place the frozen meat on top of it. Then you take the second container, fill it with hot water and place it directly on top of the meat.
Now you can make yourself a coffee, check Instagram, or pretend to work from home for 5 minutes in peace – and voilà, the meat is almost as good as fresh. In 5 to 10 minutes it will be ready to cook, roast, or whatever your culinary inspiration is cooking.
@that40yearguy What's your favorite method for meat? 🤯 #food ♬ original sound – That40yearguy
What's the trick?
The trick is in physics—yes, the one you ignored in school but is now saving your meal. Metal, especially aluminum, is an extremely good conductor of heat. The hot water in the top pan heats the metal, which transfers the heat evenly to the meat—so it defrosts much faster than in air or under running water (and much more elegantly than in the microwave).
Bonus tip:
Use this method only for smaller cuts of meat – chicken breasts, steaks or fillets. For a whole roast from the freezer… yes, we still advise planning (or delivery) there.
So, the next time you forget about meat in the freezer, don't forget this culinary shortcut. Restaurants already know why they use it—now you can too. And if anyone asks, tell them the secret is science.
