Frankfurters are a great option for a meal with family or friends. If you have frozen a pack of sausages for storage, you may be wondering how to safely thaw them. The quickest solution is to use the microwave defrost function. However, it is safer to cover them with cold water and soak them for about an hour or until they are completely thawed. If you want to make sure you are not taking any health risks, plan ahead and let them defrost in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Defrost the Frankfurters with the Microwave
Step 1. Remove the sausages from the package
It is likely that the wrapper is not suitable for microwave use and could therefore melt and spoil the frankfurters. Furthermore, the liquid inside the package may contain bacteria that can only be killed at high temperatures and not with the defrost function. That's why it's safer to transfer sausages to a plate.
- Throw away the package of sausages and wash the surfaces that have come into contact with the preservative liquid with soap and water.
- This method works best if you only need to defrost one pack of sausages.
Step 2. Arrange the frankfurters on a microwave-safe dish and cover them
Arrange them in a single layer, without overlapping them, then wrap a paper towel around the plate to cover the sausages and absorb the liquids.
If you want, you can wrap the napkin directly around the frankfurters to better absorb liquids, but this is not necessary
Step 3. Set the defrost function or 30% of the maximum power
Check the functions of the microwave and, if it is present, press the "defrost" button. Alternatively, adjust the power knob to 30%.
If in doubt, consult the instruction manual or do a quick internet search to find out how to set up your microwave model correctly. Each microwave is different
Step 4. Heat the sausages for 30 seconds, then check them
Put the dish in the microwave and set 30 seconds on the timer. When the time runs out, remove the plate and check if the sausages have thawed.
It will most likely take more than 30 seconds to defrost the frankfurters. An entire package can take up to 8-12 minutes, depending on the microwave model. However, it is best to check them often to prevent them from starting to cook, otherwise the bacteria could proliferate
Suggestion:
to find out if the frankfurters have defrosted, touch them with your finger and check that they are cold, but not frozen. Also, make sure they are soft and slightly flexible.
Step 5. Rotate the sausages after 30 seconds if the microwave does not have a turntable
If the microwave plate rotates on its own, you can skip this step. If not, rotate the plate on which the sausages are placed by 180 ° C every 30 seconds, otherwise they will not thaw evenly and bacteria could proliferate due to the temperature difference.
In addition to rotating the plate, you can also turn the sausages upside down, to ensure a perfectly even distribution of heat
Step 6. Heat the frankfurters at 30 second intervals until they are completely thawed
Put the dish back in the microwave and press the oven power button. Use the defrost function or 30% of maximum power and set the timer. Check the frankfurters every 30 seconds until they are completely thawed.
From time to time, make sure the microwave is set to the defrost function or at 30% of maximum power
Step 7. Cook the frankfurters as soon as they have defrosted
When you defrost frankfurters using this method, the cooking process begins in the microwave. This means that part of the meat will reach a dangerous temperature which favors the proliferation of bacteria. Therefore, immediately finish cooking the frankfurters so as not to run any health risks.
You can cook the frankfurters directly in the microwave or in the oven, in a pot of boiling water or on the barbecue
Method 2 of 3: Defrost the Frankfurters with Cold Water
Step 1. Place the sausages in a resealable food bag
If the original package is still sealed, do not open it. If not, transfer the frankfurters to a zip-lock bag. Make sure it's waterproof so that the sausages don't get wet.
The frankfurters must not get wet. The meat or water could be contaminated, so be careful not to take any health risks
Step 2. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the sausages
You don't have to be precise about the temperature of the water, just make sure it's cool to the touch. Generally, just let the cold water run for a few seconds. The quantity of water must allow the entire pack of sausages to be completely submerged.
If you want to defrost more than one pack of sausages, it is better to use separate containers to speed up the time
Warning:
do not use warm or hot water in an attempt to speed up the defrosting process, otherwise the frankfurters could spoil and cause food poisoning.
Step 3. Place the package in the bowl and let it soak in the water for 30 minutes
Place the sausage package in the bowl and make sure it is completely covered in water. Set the kitchen timer for 30 minutes and let the frankfurters defrost at room temperature.
Being heavy, the sausage package should remain at the bottom of the bowl. If you used a bag, let all the air out to prevent it from floating
Step 4. Check the frankfurters and change the water every 30 minutes
Empty the water from the bowl by pouring it into the sink and touch the sausages from the outside of the package to determine if they have thawed. If not, submerge them with water again and soak them for another 30 minutes.
- If the sausages are soft and slightly flexible, it means that they have thawed. Also check that they are cold to the touch, but not frozen.
- The frankfurters will defrost in 30-60 minutes, depending on the quantity.
Step 5. Change the water every 30 minutes and soak them for a maximum of 2 hours
When another 30 minutes have passed, empty the bowl again and check the consistency of the sausages. If they are completely thawed, cook them immediately. If not, submerge them in the water again and set another 30 minutes on the timer. You can repeat the steps until they are completely thawed, for a maximum of 2 hours.
Usually 60 minutes are enough to defrost the frankfurters
Warning:
the frankfurters are likely to defrost in less than 2 hours. If not, put them in the refrigerator until the defrosting process is complete. Do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours, otherwise they could heat up and cause food poisoning.
Step 6. Cook the frankfurters as soon as they have defrosted
Defrosting frankfurters in water is safer than using the microwave, but even in this case it is essential that frankfurters are cooked immediately. Cold water does not keep them below 4 ° C, so bacteria have a chance to proliferate. Cook them right away to kill bacteria.
You can cook the frankfurters in the microwave, in the oven, on the barbecue or in a pot (roasted or boiled)
Method 3 of 3: Defrost the Frankfurters in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Place the frankfurters in a deep dish
If the package is still sealed, do not open it and place it on the plate. If the package is open, take out the frankfurters and place them side by side on the plate without overlapping them. The deep plate will collect the liquid generated by the defrosting process, preventing it from contaminating other foods or the surfaces of the refrigerator.
- You can use a deep plate, a baking tray or a baking dish.
- If you want to defrost several packs of frankfurters, don't overlap them. You can safely defrost as many sausages as you want, as long as the packages are not overlapping.
- It is not necessary to cover the plate, but it is preferable to do so if the sausages are not packaged.
Step 2. Put the dish in the refrigerator
Place it on the lowest shelf and let the frankfurters defrost undisturbed.
There is no need to cover the frankfurters with water, the refrigerator temperature is sufficient for them to defrost
Step 3. Let the frankfurters defrost for at least 24 hours
It takes about a day to defrost a standard-sized pack of sausages. Check them to determine if they are cold to the touch, but not icy. Also, check that they have the typical soft and slightly flexible texture that characterizes them.
- You can keep the frankfurters in the refrigerator for 3-4 days before cooking them. However, in order not to put your health at risk, it is best to use them as soon as they have thawed.
- If the packs are large, it may take longer for the sausages to defrost completely. Let them defrost for 24 hours every 0.5-2.5 kg of weight. In any case, if the frankfurters are arranged in a single layer, 24 hours is likely to be sufficient.
Advice
Use frankfurters within 2 months of freezing them
Warnings
- Usually, when you defrost frankfurters using the microwave, the cooking process begins in the oven, so it's important to cook them as soon as they have thawed, otherwise bacteria will have a chance to proliferate and could cause food poisoning.
- Frankfurters carry a bacterium, called Listeria, which can cause intoxication, which is why it is important to treat them carefully. Once defrosted, cook them thoroughly and make sure the liquid contained in the package does not come into contact with other foods.
