Are your pork chops on ice? On average, an American eats about 52.4 pounds of pork per year.
It’s always a beautiful day to catch a great sale on pork chops and buy in bulk. And with enough refrigerator space, you’re going to deep freeze it in a freezer for future use.
You’re supposed to defrost pork chops for the nutritious recipe. But again, can you defrost pork chops in the microwave?
Yes, it’s the fastest and most effective way you can thaw frozen pork chops.
There are other different ways to defrost pork chops, including refrigerators and cold water. It all goes down to the amount of time you have to prepare the meal.
Let’s plan ahead on how you can defrost pork chops in your best microwave.
How to Defrost Pork Chops in Microwave
First rule: Don’t defrost pork chops at room temperature. Otherwise, you may contract a foodborne illness going into the future.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), pork is the most consumed protein throughout the world. The United States alone produces around 13 percent of the world’s pork.
Opting for a microwave oven when defrosting your pork chops comes with few practical uses, though. You’ve to cook your recipe instantly to reduce any risks of contamination.
Alongside that, the defrosting function’s effectiveness depends on brands and models. Some heat unevenly, forcing you to turn your chops frequently for even cooking.
If you’re planning to thaw frozen pork chops in your microwave, here are the steps to follow:
- Unwrap your frozen chops to get rid of Styrofoam and plastic packaging. Next, place them on a microwavable plate like the resilient CAMBUY Wheat Straw Plate. Then, cover with a lid to prevent any splatters (drippings) that would otherwise spray around your microwave oven.
- Defrost at 50% power settings for 2 minutes, flip the meat and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- While defrosting, keep on checking until it cooks evenly with no ice particles remaining. But with a high-quality microwave, you’ll defrost without any compromise.
- Make sure your defrost settings are correct depending on the size of the pork chops.
If your microwave cooks one section of meat, leaving others frozen, trigger the defrost cycle by letting the chops sit for more than 2 minutes.
Overheating is another thing you need to give more eyeballs.
How Long Does it Take to Defrost Pork Chops in a Microwave?
Pork chops take 2 minutes to thaw on one side and 5 minutes at most in a microwave. Microwaving makes defrosting easier, safer, and quicker than any other way.
As earlier mentioned, the variation of time will highly depend on:
- brand and model (type of microwave)
- number or sizes of pork chops
Make better use of defrosting settings. Set it to 50 percent power for 2-5 minutes. Make sure you flip the pork frequently to speed up defrosting and ensure even cooking.
It’s necessary to give pork chops the required time so they’re perfectly cooked and give them an attractive shiny color on your Blackstone Griddle or grill.
What Are Other Ways You Can Defrost Pork Chops?
Aside from a microwave, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends two more safe ways of defrosting frozen pork chops or any sliced piece of meat like chicken breasts, salmon filets, and shrimp.
- Use a refrigerator, and
- Cold water
In the refrigerator
How do you defrost pork chops in the refrigerator? This appliance offers the safest and easiest way to thaw frozen pork. The process might be slow compared to a microwave, but it results in the least amount of moisture loss and tissue damage.
Here are the tips on how to do it:
- Place your frozen pork chops in a baking dish or casserole. The DOWAN Casserole Dish
is an excellent option to help catch any drippings. - Keep the temperature of your refrigerator at about 35°F to 40°F overnight. This allows the chops to slowly relax and adapt, making it possible to maintain their original taste.
- After thawing, let the meat chill in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before cooking.
Keep in mind that pork chop size is directly related to the temperature you set when defrosting. Make sure you wrap pork chops with Amazon Basics Plastic Wrap as this prevents not only the growth but also the spread of bacteria.
This will be convenient, particularly if you don’t plan to cook pork chops immediately.
Under Cold Water
Quicker than the refrigerator, cold water can defrost pork chops safely. This method is suitable for small packages of meat and protects it from bacteria. But you need to do it correctly.
- Unwrap frozen chops in a leak-proof plastic bag such as the Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Freezer Bag and place them in a cold water bowl or spacious trays.
- Keep on replacing the water every 20-30 minutes as you separate the stacked pieces until defrosted.
- You have to for 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size/thickness and amount (pounds) of your chops.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against using warm water as it will increase the chances of bacteria growth.
How Do You Defrost Pork Chops Quickly?
Use a microwave to defrost frozen pork chops quickly. It’s faster than both cold water and the refrigerator. If you don’t have a microwave, try out cold water.
Is It Safe To Defrost Pork Chops In The Microwave?
The answer is yes. It’s even safer than it seems to be. It will take you only 2-5 minutes to get the job done. Defrost pork chop before cooking
Safety Tips When Thawing Pork Chops
It goes without saying that now you know how to defrost pork chops using different ways. Health, however, should be your priority. There are things to avoid when preparing meat.
- New thaw in warm or hot water
- Never thaw on the kitchen sink or counter
- Watch all utensils you used thawing is over
- Cook pork chops instantly after thawing them in a microwave
Wrapping Up
Defrosting pork chops responsibly helps you put a tasty, safe dish on your dining table. But it can be a real challenge if you omit some important practical steps.
When in a hurry, defrost your chops in a microwave. That way, your family and friends, filled with a sense of serenity, will appreciate what you’ve prepared.