Burgers are known and appreciated all over the world. You can store them in the freezer, but it's best to let them thaw before cooking. The most effective method is to move them from the freezer to the refrigerator, but they take several hours in advance. If you are in a hurry, you can defrost them in cold water or use the microwave oven's defrost function. Properly defrosted burgers taste better and have a better texture. While you wait for them to defrost, you can prepare your favorite vegetables and sauces.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Defrost Burgers in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Put the burgers in the refrigerator
Leave them inside the original packaging. If the wrapping is damaged, transfer them to an airtight container. Place the package or container on one of the refrigerator shelves.
Inside the refrigerator, meat should be kept separate from fruit and vegetables
Step 2. Let the burgers defrost for 5 hours per 500g of weight
Touch the meat to make sure it has thawed. If it's still hard or frozen, leave it in the refrigerator for a while longer. If the burgers are soft, it means that they are completely defrosted.
Step 3. You can store thawed burgers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking
Unlike the other methods, this is the only one that allows you to keep the meat in the refrigerator for a short time after it has defrosted. If for some reason you can't cook the burgers anymore, return them to the freezer within 48 hours of defrosting.
Step 4. Cook the burgers in a pan or oven
You can brown them in a pan or cook them with the oven grill. Meanwhile, toast the burger bread and prepare the sauces and vegetables to make a delicious sandwich.
- Measure the core temperature of the burgers with a meat thermometer. If they are made of red meat (beef or lamb) the internal temperature must reach 71 ° C. If the burgers are chicken, they need to reach 74 ° C. It is essential that the meat reaches the correct temperature to prevent it from causing food poisoning.
- You can store leftover burgers in the refrigerator. Transfer them to an airtight container and eat them within 2-3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them and consume them within 3 months.
Method 2 of 3: Defrost Burgers in Cold Water
Step 1. Place the burgers in a waterproof food bag
Air and water can damage the texture of the meat, so transfer the burgers to a waterproof food bag to prevent them from getting wet.
Zip lock food bags are practical, inexpensive and easy to find at the supermarket
Step 2. Immerse the bag in cold water
Turn on the cold water tap and fill the sink or a large bowl. Immerse the bag with the burgers in the water.
Do not use hot water as it will only heat the outermost layer of meat, thus favoring the proliferation of bacteria
Step 3. Change the water every 30 minutes until the burgers are completely thawed
Over time, the water will heat up favoring bacterial proliferation. It is important to replace it every half hour to keep the meat cold. You will know that the burgers have thawed completely when they are soft to the touch.
If the weight of the burgers is less than half a kilo, they may defrost within 30 minutes, so you won't need to change the water
Step 4. Cook the burgers in a pan or oven
They should be cooked as soon as they have defrosted. Once ready, assemble the sandwich using your favorite ingredients, not forgetting the sauce. For example, beef burgers go well with lettuce, tomato and mustard.
- Beef or lamb burgers must reach a core temperature of 71 ° C, while chicken burgers must reach 74 ° C. Check the internal temperature of the burgers with a meat thermometer and let them cook until they reach the correct degree of heat, based on the type of meat.
- You can store leftover burgers in the refrigerator. Transfer them to an airtight container and eat them within 2-3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them and consume them within 4 months.
Method 3 of 3: Defrost Burgers in the Microwave
Step 1. Place the burgers in a microwave-safe dish, separated if possible
Remove them from their original packaging and arrange them on a plate. If possible, space them apart so that they defrost more quickly.
Make sure that the underside of the plate indicates that it is suitable for use in the microwave. If in doubt, it is best to use a glass or ceramic dish
Step 2. Put the burgers in the microwave and select the "defrost" function
If the mode is automatic, simply press the "defrost" button followed by the power button. The microwave will independently calculate the time it takes to defrost the burgers. If you need to specify the weight of the food, enter the weight indicated on the package or weigh the burgers with the scale. Enter the correct weight and press the power key.
If your microwave does not have a "defrost" function, set the power to 50% and check the burgers every 5 minutes
Step 3. Cook the burgers as soon as they are defrosted
You can cook them in a pan or in the oven. Once ready, assemble the sandwich using your favorite ingredients. For example, red meat burgers (beef or lamb) go well with lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Don't forget the sauce.
- Check the internal temperature of the burgers with a meat thermometer and let them cook until they reach the correct degree of heat, based on the type of meat. Beef or lamb burgers must reach a core temperature of 71 ° C, while chicken burgers must reach 74 ° C.
- You can store leftover burgers in the refrigerator. Transfer them to an airtight container and eat them within 2-3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them and consume them within 4 months.
