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How to Cook Frozen Food Safely on the Grill
There are times you’re in a hurry to cook, or you come home late, but you still need to eat. In addition to this, you have your food stored in a fridge, and it’s frozen. You have two options, i.e., call your local joint to deliver ready food or get into the kitchen to start cooking whatever you have.
Can you cook frozen food on a grill? Yes, you can cook frozen food on a grill, but it will take longer than grilling foods that are at room temperature. This post has all details you need regarding cooking frozen food on a grill and answers some of the frequently asked questions.
Cooking Different Frozen Foods on a Grill
Among the common misconceptions about grilling frozen foods is that it’s hard and doesn’t taste any good. That’s not the case if you do it the right way.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grilling frozen meat will take 50% longer. Therefore, you should consider thawing meats before grilling.
What are the common frozen foods you can grill?
Below is a list of the common frozen foods you can grill anytime:
- Burgers
- Pizza
- Garlic bread
- Mozzarella sticks
- Onion rings
- Jumbo shrimps
- Steaks
- Sausages
- Pork chops
- Frozen potatoes
Safety Guidelines for Cooking Frozen Food on a Grill
As highlighted above, you can grill frozen food and still get excellent results. The below guidelines are essential anytime you cook foods right from a freezer.
Avoid slow cooking
Regardless of the frozen food you’ll be cooking, avoid cooking slowly and at low temperatures. In such cases, frozen food is likely to get into the “danger zone,” whereby dangerous bacteria such as salmonella can easily grow if it stays for long. Generally, high heat is the best option for cooking frozen foods.
Thaw meat in the refrigerators and avoid leaving it at room temperature
Thawing meats in the refrigerator is the safest way, and it takes approximately a day to defrost large cuts. Leaving out meat to defrost at room temperature for more than two hours is highly discouraged: it brings meat to a “danger zone” temperature that creates bacteria.
Additionally, thawing meat with hot water is not recommended.
Tips for Grilling Frozen Steak
Thick steaks are better
While thin steaks defrost more quickly, the interior becomes entirely overcooked and dry before the exterior reaches searing temperature. On the other hand, thick-cut steaks take longer to defrost but cook fairly on the interior and exterior.
Use indirect heat
Indirect heat allows moderate energy heat to travel to the center part of the meat for better cooking.
Always track the internal temperature of your steak
It’s recommended that you always use an instant-read thermometer while grilling frozen steak to check the internal temperature of the steak and its doneness. It prevents overcooking or undercooking meats. Below are internal temperatures for various doneness levels:
- Well-done ( 150 and above )
- Medium-well (140-145 degrees F)
- Medium (130-135 degrees F)
- Rare (115-120 degrees F)
FAQs
Is it okay to grill a frozen steak?
You can grill frozen steak. However, ensure you defrost the steak the right way and use a food thermometer to check the doneness of the steak while grilling.
Can you cook frozen meat without thawing?
It’s safe to cook frozen meat without thawing. However, it will take about 50% longer to cook than the recommended time for fresh or thawed meat.
How can I defrost meat quickly without a microwave?
You can use cold water to defrost meat instead of a microwave. Fill a bowl with cold water and immerse the packed meat in it. It should take approximately an hour or less to thaw. However, if you’re defrosting large quantities, it may take more than two or more hours.
Check out Atgrills indoor electric grills and griddles to cook frozen food on a cookware with natural stone coating.
Sources
realsimple.com
epicurious.com
