How to defrost food safely
Defrost meat, poultry and frozen meals the safe way, and know when you can and can't refreeze, following Food Standards Agency advice.
- Time
- Overnight to 24+ hours (fridge)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 5
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Plate, tray or leak-proof container
- Space on the bottom shelf of the fridge
- Fridge thermometer (optional) Search Amazon for fridge thermometer
- Microwave with defrost setting (optional)
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Safety first
- Don't defrost meat or poultry on the worktop or in warm water – the outside can warm up enough for bacteria to multiply while the middle is still frozen.
- Keep defrosting raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods.
Step by step
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Step 1: Plan ahead and defrost in the fridge
The safest way is in the fridge. Put the frozen food in a sealed or leak-proof container (or on a deep plate) on the bottom shelf, so juices can't drip onto other food. Your fridge should be at 5°C or below. Small items may defrost overnight; a large joint or whole bird can take a day or more.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Or use the microwave just before cooking
If you're short of time, use the microwave's defrost setting. Food defrosted this way may start to warm in places, so cook it straight away.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Check it's fully defrosted
Before cooking meat or poultry, make sure there are no ice crystals in the middle and the joints of a bird move freely. Partly frozen food may not cook through, leaving bacteria alive.
Next: step 4 -
Step 5: Know the refreezing rules
Don't refreeze raw food that has been defrosted. The exception: raw meat or poultry that you've defrosted can be cooked and then frozen again as a cooked dish (for example, defrosted mince made into a chilli). Cooked food you've frozen and defrosted should be reheated only once.
Tips
- Write the date on freezer bags so you know how long things have been in.
- Freezing pauses bacteria rather than killing them – that's why defrosting slowly in the cold matters.
Questions people ask
How long does a frozen turkey or chicken take to defrost?
In a fridge, a large bird can take several days. Check the label and plan ahead; the FSA has seasonal guidance on turkey.
Can I cook food from frozen?
Some products are designed to be cooked from frozen – the packet will say. Otherwise defrost first.
What about other frozen foods?
Follow the advice on the packet. If you're unsure whether something can be refrozen, don't refreeze it.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-defrost-food-safely/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.