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How to Defrost Ground Sausage in Microwave

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Have you tried to defrost ground sausage in the microwave? It is important to defrost ground sausage before cooking, otherwise the outside will become overcooked while the inside remains frozen solid. 

Defrosting ground sausage in the microwave is the quickest and easiest way. In a matter of minutes, the ground sausage will be thawed and ready to serve.

How do you defrost ground sausage in the microwave? Use defrost setting or adjust 50% power to achieve the same results. Let the ground sausages defrost for about 2 minutes, then using a fork, check whether you can separate chunks of ground pieces from each other. 

Once they’ve defrosted enough and can easily split, return to the microwave for an additional 1 minute to fully thaw the ground meat.

Similar to defrosting sausages, microwaving any flavored ground sausages is the easiest and best way to get the job done quickly. When defrosting the ground sausages in a microwave, first place them on a microwave-safe plate, then microwave them using the defrost settings till you can easily separate chunks with a fork. 

So, is it safe to defrost ground sausage meat in a microwave? How long does it take to defrost the ground meat? This article goes into detail answering frequently asked questions about how to defrost ground sausages in a microwave the right way. Read through to learn more!

Can you defrost ground sausage in the microwave?

Yes, you can defrost any type of ground sausages in a microwave. However, be sure not to let them cook while defrosting and cook the ground sausage immediately after thawing to reduce food borne bacteria. 

Allowing them to overcook at the defrosting temperatures and leaving the thawed meat at room temperature for too long may yield bacterial multiplication. 

USDA recommends that all raw meat be cooked and served within 2 hours of being exposed to room temperature. So when you choose to thaw in ground sausage in a microwave, start cooking right away to keep the bacteria to a minimum.

Is it safe to defrost sausages in the microwave?

Yes, it’s safe to defrost sausages in a microwave. Always use microwaveable plates to avoid unhealthy chemicals leaking into the food. Instead of microwaving plastic, use ceramic and glass dishes, or microwave-safe containers

When the ground sausages are completely thawed, cook immediately afterwards. Remember, meat should not be kept at room temperature for longer than two hours. If kept unrefrigerated, then bacteria will start multiplying. 

In addition, be sure to thoroughly defrost before cooking. If not fully thawed before cooking, the outsides may overcook while the inside remains ice cold and raw.

Partly cooked sausages are dangerous since the bacteria will not have been destroyed, leading to bacterial growth. Consuming such food can lead to stomach discomfort or food poisoning. 

Don’t worry about thawing more than you can eat since cooked ground sausages can be refrozen.

How long does it take to defrost ground sausage?

A pound of ground sausages should be thawed for about 2 minutes on 50% power or use the defrost button on the microwave. Afterwards, use a fork to separate bits and pieces, then nuke for another minute or two to ensure everything is fully thawed.

Timing may change depending on the wattage of your microwave and the amount of ground sausages that needs to be defrosted.

Tips to defrost ground sausage in the microwave

Before you start pushing buttons, there are few microwave tips that you should have in mind for defrosting ground sausage quickly:

  • Remove any original packaging as not all packaging materials are microwave-safe. Be sure to only use dish ware and packaging that manufacturers recommend for microwave usage. 
  • Microwaves have a tough time thawing food evenly, even at low power levels. It’s therefore vital to reposition, flip and rotate the ground sausage every minute to be sure it thaws evenly. 
  • Avoid thawing ground sausage that weighs more than 2 pounds at one time. Instead, half or quarter the batch for easy defrosting.
  • Do not thaw ground sausage at room temperature since sausage is recommended to only be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. 
  • If the microwave does not have a defrost setting, adjust the microwave to 50% to thaw the ground sausage in the appliance.

Best way to defrost ground sausage in the microwave

Defrosting ground sausage in microwave is similar to ground beef, ground chicken and ground turkey, the only difference would be the microwaving time depending on the wattage of microwave and amount of sausage you are thawing.

If you know that you want to cook the ground sausages for the next day’s lunch or dinner, be sure to refrigerate overnight for best results. Be sure to refrigerate in small batches since they’ll start to defrost much fast. 

When in a hurry, defrosting in the microwave is the quiet and easiest mthod.

Place the ground sausage on a microwave-safe plate to avoid drippings and catch any juice that might sneak out. Remove any packaging, and ready for defrosting in the microwave.

Place the plate in the appliance and run on 50% power for 2 minutes, be sure to rotate the dish, flip the meat over or stir the sausage after every 30 to 45 seconds for even cooking. If you can break the large chunk into smaller pieces than it will thaw much faster and more evenly.

Frequently check the condition of the ground sausage while in the microwave to ensure that it doesn’t overcook instead of simply defrosting. 

If you do not have microwave-safe container, airtight sealable Ziploc bags are the best to use when defrosting ground sausage. Not only do they keep the juices from the ground sausages intact, but they also retain the moisture preventing it from drying up.

How to defrost ground sausage in microwave

Defrosting Ground Sausage in Microwave: Conclusion

Adding ground sausage to your salad or any meal is a great way to include protein to your everyday diet, thereby fulfilling your daily nutrition needs. In addition, the flavor boost from the spiced meat is a huge bonus to the dish.

If you decide to put ground sausages in a freezer, be sure to first defrost before cooking on stovetop or oven. Proper thawing will not only save cooking time, but also ensure that it cooks evenly without an ice cold or raw center.

Avoid defrosting ground sausages using the original packaging such as styrofoam, or plastic containers since they may melt, burn, and potentially leach harmful chemicals into your food. Instead, go for microwave-safe plates to keep the food safe while nuking in the appliance.

Always use the microwave defrost settings when thawing meat. However, if a defrost button isn’t available, power the microwave to 50% to thoroughly defrost your ground sausages without overcooking them. 

To get the ground sausage fully defrosted, it takes about 2 to 3 minutes for a single pound. 

If you’re thawing a more significant portion, it’ll require additional time or split into smaller quantities for easy defrosting. 

To determine whether or not the ground sausages is fully defrosted, press at the center and check whether it’s still solid. Be sure to clean your hands before and after touching the raw meat. 

For fast and safe cooking, defrost frozen ground sausages in the microwave. Within a few minutes, the ground sausage is fully thawed and ready to be cooked to add to your favorite meals.