You may have doubts about which method is best for defrosting sausages, as bacteria and other diseases love improperly defrosted meats. You can defrost sausages using the refrigerator, microwave, or a container filled with warm water. Using the refrigerator is the simplest solution, but also the one that takes the most time. The microwave is the quickest tool, but using it you could burn the sausages. Using lukewarm water is the trickiest choice, but you won't run the risk of burning the sausages when cooking them.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Refrigerator
Step 1. Measure the refrigerator temperature to make sure it is below 5 ° C
A higher temperature would allow bacteria to proliferate. If your refrigerator doesn't have a thermometer to check the internal temperature, use a food-grade one.
Put the thermometer in the refrigerator and leave the door closed for 5 minutes. Take the thermometer after 5 minutes have passed and check the temperature
Step 2. Leave the sausages inside their packaging
There is no need to remove them from the package at this stage, as they will thaw more quickly and evenly inside the package.
If you have already taken them out of the package, you can wrap them in cling film before placing them in the refrigerator
Step 3. Place the sausages on a plate in the lower part of the refrigerator
The dish will keep the refrigerator from getting wet when the ice on the sausages melts. Make sure the sausages are separated from the ready-made foods in the refrigerator.
If frozen pork sausages come into contact with other foods, eating them could make you sick
Step 4. Leave the sausages in the refrigerator until they are soft to the touch
When they feel soft and free from ice, they should be completely thawed. This is probably the simplest method, but also the most time-consuming. If you have to defrost several sausages, it may take up to 24 hours for them to be ready to cook.
Once the sausages have thawed, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days before cooking them. After you remove them from the refrigerator, cook them immediately
Method 2 of 3: Using the Microwave Oven
Step 1. Place the sausages on a microwave-safe dish
Leave them wrapped in their packaging and place them on a ceramic or glass plate. If you are unsure whether the dish selected is suitable for microwave use, there are a few ways to find out:
- Some dishes have a label on the back specifying whether or not they are suitable for use in the microwave;
- The symbol depicting a dish with wavy lines indicates that the dish is suitable for use in the microwave;
- Even the symbol that only shows wavy lines indicates that the dish is suitable for use in the microwave.
Step 2. Defrost the sausages in the microwave using the "defrost" function until you can separate them
If your microwave does not have a "defrost" mode, set it to 50% of maximum power. After 3-4 minutes, open the oven and check with a fork if you can separate the sausages from each other.
If the sausages are still stuck together, turn the microwave back on and check them again after about 60 seconds
Step 3. Thaw the sausages in the microwave at 2 minute intervals
When you have managed to separate them, put them back in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes. Leave some space between each sausage so that they defrost evenly. Check the sausages every 2 minutes until they are completely thawed.
When the sausages are fully defrosted, cook them immediately to prevent bacteria from forming
Method 3 of 3: Use Warm Water
Step 1. Remove the sausages from the packaging and place them in a bowl
If they are wrapped in a protective film, you need to remove it to thaw them using this method. Choose a bowl that is large enough to hold all the sausages.
If you have a lot of sausages and you don't have a bowl that fits them all comfortably, use two bowls
Step 2. Fill the bowl with warm water
Generally with the term lukewarm water we mean at a temperature of about 25 ° C. Measure the water temperature with a thermometer after filling the bowl. If it's between 10 ° C and 30 ° C, it should be fine.
Step 3. Place the tureen in the sink under the dripping tap
Open the tap slightly to ensure rapid and continuous dripping. The water should drip rather than flow and be cold to the touch. This will ensure that it stays at a constant temperature.
The dripping will also ensure that the water contained in the bowl remains in constant motion, to prevent bacteria from proliferating as the sausages defrost
Step 4. Leave the bowl in the sink under the slightly open tap until the sausages are completely thawed
The time required depends on the quantity and size of the sausages. If it's a couple of small sausages, they may have defrosted completely after 25 minutes. If the sausages are large or more than 5, it may take an hour or more.
Do not leave the sausages in the water for more than 4 hours or the bacteria will start to proliferate
Step 5. Wash the bowl and sink with bleach
When the sausages are completely thawed, you will need to wash the bowl and sink properly, otherwise bacteria (such as the one responsible for salmonellosis) will thrive on all surfaces.
