These are the steps in how to thaw ground beef in microwave which is great if you have a forgetful moment and need dinner done fast. This is just one of many microwave recipes on our site that have saved the day.
If you want to thaw ground beef in microwave, you can! You may need this frozen meat to tender tip because you don’t have a stovetop, or just because you’re forgetful. Either way it is easy to do and just takes about 10 minutes to save the day, and dinnertime. (affiliate links present)
I started this journey because I needed to know how to defrost chicken in microwave once. It was easier than I thought it would be and then I was able to cut it up and make our favorite casserole dish. In the event that you’re in a pinch these kitchen hacks might come in handy too.
How Long to Defrost Ground Beef in Microwave
This is how to defrost hamburger as my mom always called it. 😉 We are going to assume you just want it thawed and not cooked which will take about 3 minutes or so depending on how much you are using. If you want to take it a step further we have extended instructions for cooking it too.
All you’re going to need is a bowl or shallow dish with a lip on the edges to catch some liquid which will be created. A wooden spatula can be handy to break off the outside pieces that are done while exposing more of the rock hard center. Have another bowl handy outside the microwave to gather the softened meat.
Tips for Success
You will want to heat just a bit to begin with when it is in a large chunk with ice. Then along the way you want to break it up into smaller pieces so the heat can get into the very center and melt that ice chunk.
Defrost and thaw are synonymous as well I think, you probably use one more often than the other but saying the same thing. In fact I rarely make hamburger(s) with it but rather make things like a casserole with it. Or you might want to make our very simple but delicious 5 ingredient chili when done. You can choose for yourself when it is done.
You know it isn’t a a requirement to make it tender before cooking it though. If you read our Instant Pot frozen ground beef post and tried it you already know that. I will say the texture is far better though if you take it step by step and not from one extreme (right out of the freezer to cooked) to the other.
Is it faster to thaw ground beef in microwave than cold water?
Yes, in water it will take about an hour as opposed to 3-4 minutes. If you would rather do so you should follow safe guidelines which is to keep meat in it’s sealed packaging. Fill a bowl with cold water and submerge. Change water every 30 minutes or when it becomes room temperature until thawed.
How to Thaw Ground Beef in Microwave
Equipment
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, frozen
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Open up the package of ground beef. Transfer to a suitable sized bowl or shallow dish with a lip. Put the bowl in the microwave and push your defrost button or set power to 50% for 1 minute.
- Break off thawed bits on the edges removing them and transferring into a dish outside the microwave at this time. Turn piece over and continue on the defrost setting or at 50% power for 1 minute. Remove meat, rotate chunk and add one more minute, that should be enough to defrost to the center. (thicker hunks may need more time)
- If it needs longer, remove defrosted pieces again, turn over again and add another 30 seconds until it is done all the way to the center. Drain if there is any liquid in the bowl.
- Put into a pan and brown meat with salt and pepper from there to use as you wish.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you cook meat in the microwave?
Can you cook ground beef in the microwave? YES! There are TONS of different ways to cook the beef from here. Brown in a pan to create taco meat as a cheap meal, add into a casserole when cooked or make our famous Ninja Foodi meatloaf recipe everyone loves.
You always want to make sure once cooked your beef is 160 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe to add into dishes like our tater tot casserole with ground beef and others.
