Re: Using frozen meat

I've always defrosted mine but to be honest I'm paranoid about meat and getting food poisoning and I would never put it in from frozen even if I knew it to be safe to do so. But that's just me

Re: Using frozen meat

I agree with all those who say defrost it first. At this moment I am defrosting some lamb, garlic and chilli sausages in the fridge for Bangers and Mash tomorrow evening.

(Gawd, I live an exciting gourmet life)

Re: Using frozen meat

I have been told I am 'prissy' about my food purchases because;-

1. I never buy frozen meat/fish/chicken as one cannot assess the quality once it it frozen.

2. I always thaw out home frozen meat/fish/chicken before cooking it.

Prissy I may be but I have not poisoned anyone ... yet!

Re: Using frozen meat

Defrost first. When you think about it, a slow cooker will be on a low heat for quite awhile, before raising a temperature, so just to be on the safe side.

I always leave meat out on the work top for a few hours, then put in fridge till next day. (To defrost, unless smaller pieces.)

Re: Using frozen meat

I personally have never put a frozen piece of meat into my slow cooker, not because of fear of bacteria etc, but because I always brown the meat first so all the lovely scrapings from the pan go into the slow cooker for flavouring as well .

I honestly don't know whether it's safe to put frozen in, but again personally, I wouldn't, surely, extra time would have to be added to the cooking, but how long? and.... I always allow my defrosted meat one hour at room temperature before cooking it, how would I do that with frozen? It really is a case of mixed messages isn't it?

Re: Using frozen meat

Thanks for all your opinions, and it's interesting to know what others think about this.

Although I defrost meat first like most others do, there really are slow cooker recipes stating it's ok to use it frozen, so it's confusing.

Think I will play safe, and carry on defrosting mine, but thanks again.

Re: Using frozen meat

Good call.

Re: Using frozen meat

I defrost in one of those zip bags in room temp or even cold water. Speeds it up and have not had food poisoning (yet!). Fish defrosts quickly on on a worktop or fridge.