Do you know the fastest way to defrost Beyond Burger so that it cooks more evenly? Freezing burger patties extends the shelf life, and the same applies to the plant-based Beyond Burger patties as well.
If you are looking to thaw frozen Beyond Burger inside and outside to prepare to reheat them, microwave is the best way to do it quickly.
How do you defrost Beyond Burgers in the microwave? Remove the packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate, poke several holes into the patty with a fork or toothpick, and microwave for 30 second intervals on defrost setting or 30% power level.
If the center is beginning to thaw, but the outer edges start changing color to brown, remove the burger patty from microwave and cook immediately.
Beyond Burger patties are fully cooked, however then must be reheated to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe to eat.
It’s important to defrost the Beyond Burgers at intervals of 30 seconds. If nukes for longer than this, they may turn mushy, cause the fats to leak out or even start unevenly cooking. The goal to use microwave is to completely thaw the vegan burger patty without cooking, which is completely different method that reheating a Beyond Burger in the microwave.
So, is it safe to defrost Beyond Burgers? Which is the best way to defrost your burgers? In this article we answer all the frequently asked questions and concerns regarding microwave defrosting Beyond Burgers.
Can you thaw Beyond Burgers in the microwave?
Yes, you can thaw Beyond Burgers in the microwave. Use the defrost button or low power setting to defrost for 30 seconds on each side as to not overcook the patty.
Ensure that they are fully thawed by pressing in the middle to ensure that all the ice is melted before taking it out of the microwave. Overcooking in the microwave interferes with the texture and taste of the Beyond Burgers, so stick with the minimal amount of defrosting time.
Partially warmed Beyond Burgers can harbor food borne bacteria and cause health complications if left uncooked for an hour or two. Therefore, it is important to fully cook the burger after being defrosted.
Is it safe to defrost Beyond Burger in the microwave?
Yes, defrosting Beyond Burgers in the microwave is safe. According to the USDA, the burger must be cooked or refrigerated within 2 hours once it has been exposed to room temperature.
After defrosting, the fully cooked burger patty must be reheated to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit before being served.
However, overheating can lead to them turning mushy and altering the taste and texture. There’s nothing risky with defrosting the Beyond Burgers in a microwave, but avoid using the original plastic package.
In that case, there’s a high chance when microwaving plastic that harmful chemical compounds may leach into the food, causing fertility issues, hypertension, diabetes, or even asthma. Instead, use glass bowls or ceramic plates that are microwave friendly.
How long to defrost Beyond Burger in the microwave?
Beyond Burgers should be defrosted for at most one minutes per side. Start with 30 seconds intervals and flip to the other side, do not exceed the timing as it will turn mushy if overcooked in the microwave.
The timing will largely depend on the wattage of the microwave and the number of burger patty being thawed at one time.
A large Beyond Burger will require more time to defrost compared to a medium-sized one. Be sure to check the burgers at 30 second intervals to ensure they don’t start cooking.
Defrosting should be done using the standard defrost setting or low power level on your microwave. If a defrost button is not available, set the appliance to 30% to ensure they defrost rather than cook.
Tips for defrosting Beyond burger in the microwave
The defrosting process can either make or break the end result. Before cooking Beyond Burgers, refrigerate them the night before for even defrosting and the best results. However, we are not always the best planners and that’s where the microwave comes in handy.
Here are some microwave tips and tricks that will help to attain perfectly thawed Beyond Burger patties quickly:
- Remove the burger patties from the packaging and place on a microwave-safe plate.
- Select the defrost settings on the microwave.
- Do not over extend the microwaving time more than 30 seconds intervals.
- Make couple of holes in the center on each sides with a chopstick or toothpick to poke through the patty to ensure easy penetration of heat so the burgers defrost evenly.
- Stop heating once the outside of the Beyond Burger starts to turn brown. This indicate the patty has began cooking and reached above the defrosting temperature.
- If still frozen in the center, heat the Beyond Burgers on stovetop on each side for slightly longer and slightly lower temperatures.
Thanks to the microwave appliance, your meal prep can be ready in about five minutes instead of taking much longer. All you need is to put the frozen Beyond Burgers on a microwave-safe plate, let it defrost for around one minute on each side, and you’re good to start cooking.
Even though the Beyond Burger patty is fully cooked, it must be reheated to an internal temperature of 74℃ or 165℉ to be safe to serve.
Best way to defrost Beyond burger in Microwave
Manufacturers recommend removing Beyond Burgers from the freezer the night before you want to cook them. This allows them to slowly thaw in the refrigerator, however many of use are not that prepared.
If you are unprepared for the meal, using a microwave can reduce the time by quickly defrosting in a couple minutes.
The primary reason for doing so is that Beyond Burgers don’t have as much fat as you’d find in an animal-based burgers. It will take you only two minutes to defrost the Beyond Burgers on your microwave, which is far less than the time required to defrost ground beef.
These plant based patties have a marble look, similar to that of natural beef. Instead of animal fat, they are made with cocoa butter and coconut oil to bring out that good flavor and juiciness; thus, they take less time to cook.
In order to defrost Beyond Burger patties in microwave, start by lowering the microwave to 30% power or use defrost setting to slow down and avoid overcooking.
Place the burger patties on a microwave-safe plate, and nuke for 30 second intervals. Flip the patty or poke holes on both sides to speed up the thawing process beforehand.
Once the outside of the patty starts browning, but the center is still slightly frozen, stop the thawing process and start cooking on the stove or oven to prepare the meal. After defrosting, Beyond Burgers must be heated to an internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F before serving.
Defrosting Beyond Burgers in Microwave: Conclusion
It is highly recommended to cook the Beyond Burger patties immediately after defrosting. However, proper defrosting will help to reduce cooking time and cook more thoroughly.
It is highly recommended to first defrost, then cook. The microwave is the quickest and easiest way to defrost a Beyond Burger in a minute or two.
Remember, uncooked Beyond Burgers shouldn’t be allowed to sit at room temperature for more than an hour. As a result, it’s vital to defrost when you intend to cook them immediately.
Place the Beyond Burger patties on a microwave-safe plate and nuke on 30% power or defrost setting for 30 seconds.
Check on them after each duration to ensure they defrost evenly. Be sure to make tinny holes on both sides using a toothpick so the center thaws as well.
Beyond burgers are a healthy plant-based option that features a meaty and juicy flavor that you’re used to in a regular meat burger. They are also quick and easy to prepare.
The next time you need a quick hunger fix, try Beyond Burgers to quench your appetite. In a minute or two, you can defrost the plant based patty in the microwave and make it ready to start cooking.