Defrosting in the fridge is the BEST way to defrost meat. It means that bacteria doesn’t grow in the danger zone (between 10 – 65degrees) because it doesn’t ever get there if in the fridge.

it is fine to partially defrost on the bench. just remember bacteria starts to multiply in food starting at around 5degrees. so make sure to move it to the fridge once its no longer hard frozen and you will be fine.

Keep in zip lock bag andputin warm water its best and works well

Put in zip lock bag or put this bag in warm water

well in our house we just sit it opn the table and wait until it feels quite defrosted then we cut it and cook it and all seeems fine.. i guess to answer how long youd wait depends on the size of meat

Depends on the weather. Mild to cold weather I will pull it out in the morning and leave it out. Hot weather I will pull it out of the freezer the day before and let it defrost in the fridge.

Either in the fridge overnight or in the sink with hot water for half hour to an hour before I cook it, it won’t hurt leaving it on sink/bench during the if needed day it’s been done that way for many years before microwaves and access to hot tap water

Cool! Really interesting reading the comments to this!

I grab my meat out the night before and sit it on the sink. It’s defrosted by morning and it doesn’t get too hot overnight to cause any bug things happening

In the fridge, I don’t risk meat!

If i’m organised i put it in the fridge the night before… otherwise i defrost in the microwave.

I defrost meat by leaving it in the fridge on the bottom shelf,l dont like leaving it out of the fridge but if l do its for about half an hour to speed up the process.

Usually overnight in the fridge is ok. Red meat does not have the same dangers associated as chicken so I do at timescook with it while it’s still semi frozen. Works well for casseroles but if cooking steaks it’s better to let them defrost completely. tastes much better

For a quick defrost I usually just leave the meat (covered) in a large bowl/pot of very cold water, when the water gets close to warm temp, tip out and repeat the process until the meat is defrosted (usually a pack of mince defrost in an hr or so for me)

Always in the fridge.

I take the meat out of the freezer the night before and place it in the fridge. By dinner time it will be defrosted. Never let it defrost outside the fridge.

Overnight in the fridge on a lower shelf. I don’t like using the microwave as it partially cooks it even on defrost settings and don’t like leaving it outside the fridge in case of bacteria growth.

Always in the fridge overnight or longer never on the bench

Best way to defrost is to leave overnight in fridge. If you are in a hurry or forgot the night before, use microwave right before cooking.

there are some good comments here