What’s the Best Way to Thaw Steaks?
- by Omaha Steaks
- Last updated Nov 13, 2024
The freezer is your friend! Especially if you love steak. There are two simple ways to thaw frozen steak, in the refrigerator and a quick-thaw method. Keep reading for the best ways to thaw steaks.
Omaha Steaks are flash frozen and vacuum sealed for a few reasons:
- We age our steaks at least 28 days. Freezing stops aging in its tracks, which is perfect for meat delivery. When it arrives, you get steaks aged to the peak of tenderness.
- “Fresh” steaks from the store… you don’t know how old they are. You know exactly what you’re getting with every Omaha Steak. See why our beef is better and read Omaha Steaks reviews to see what our customers have to say about our products.
- Flash freezing doesn’t damage meat like freezing at home — it’s the only way to get perfect results after thawing.
- Frozen steaks take the hassle and timing out of “fresh meat.” You don’t have to plan your week around using beef before it goes bad.
- Thawing frozen steak is easy and can even be quick!
Here are two recommended ways to thaw steaks.
How to Thaw Frozen Steaks
Refrigerator Thawing
The most common — and most recommended — method for thawing frozen steaks is in the refrigerator. It couldn’t be easier, but it requires some forethought. A day before you’re going to cook your steaks, just move them to the fridge, still in their vacuum-sealed packaging. When you’re ready to cook, so are your steaks.
If you’re refrigerator thawing, follow this chart:
Refrigerator Frozen Meat Thawing Chart
| Meat | Refrigerator Time (36-40 F) |
| Large Roast | 4-7 hours per pound |
| Small Roast | 3-5 hours per pound |
| Whole Turkey | 24 hours per 4-5 pounds |
| Poultry | 24 hours per 1-2 pounds |
| 1-Inch Steak | 12-14 hours |
But what if you forgot, or you just don’t have that kind of time?
Thawing in Cold Water (Quick-Thaw Method)
Frozen steaks, chicken, and other meats still in vacuum-sealed packaging can actually be quick-thawed in less than a half-hour. Here’s how:
Fill a large bowl or the small side of your kitchen sink with cold water and drop your vacuum-sealed steaks in. Make sure the packaging is not punctured or compromised. Depending on the size of your steak, it’ll be ready to cook in anywhere from 15-40 minutes!
The vacuum-sealing process takes all the air out of the meat, maximizing the distribution of the warmer temperature outside of the packaging. They’ll be refrigerator temperature in no time.
An added bonus of thawing steaks and other vacuum-sealed Omaha Steaks meats this way: everyone gets what they want. Thaw one filet mignon, one New York Strip, and a couple of gourmet jumbo franks for the kids… head to the grill and you’ve got a meal that everyone loves!
Of course, there are a few general thawing tips that still apply:
- Make sure you’re not thawing steaks stacked together: in the fridge or in water, this will greatly increase the time you need.
- Never thaw at room temperature — this encourages bacteria growth and may be unhealthy for you and your family.
Save or print this thawing meat reference chart with easy-to-follow instructions and refrigerator thawing times to safely and quickly thaw frozen meat.
How to Cook a Steak
Once your steak is fully defrosted, there are several fool-proof methods for cooking a steak. For a perfect steak doneness, use our steak temperature guide and follow our steak cooking charts or download the Omaha Steaks mobile app with built-in cooking timer.
Steak Cooking Guides:
Whatever cooking method you prefer, make sure to always start with a fully thawed steak. This will allow the steak to cook evenly edge-to-edge for a perfectly cooked steak every time.
More Like This
Full Steak Collection
Each steak is aged at least 28 days and hand-carved by master butchers.
18 Steakhouse Recipes
Bring the steakhouse to your house whenever the craving hits with our chef-created recipes.
The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Steak
This guide will give you the confidence to cook the perfect steak indoors or outdoors every time.
