Question

Loraine is having guests over tomorrow; she is preparing a pork roast that is currently frozen. Which of the following are appropriate methods to thaw the frozen meat? Select all that apply.

1) Thaw it in the refrigerator
2) Thaw it in cold water
3) Thaw it in the microwave
4) Thaw it at room temperature

Answer 1

Loraine can safely thaw her pork roast in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave, according to safe thawing practices provided by the USDA.

Step-by-step explanation:

Loraine is planning to have guests and wants to thaw a pork roast that is currently frozen. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are three safe methods to thaw frozen meat:

1. Thaw it in the refrigerator: Keeping the meat at a safe temperature below 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) to prevent bacterial growth.
2. Thaw it in cold water: Immersing the pork roast in cold water, with the water changed every 30 minutes to ensure it remains cold.
3. Thaw it in the microwave: Using the defrost setting or a low-power level to thaw the meat quickly.

It is important to note that thawing meat at room temperature is not safe because microbial growth resumes once the meat begins to thaw. Also, once the meat has been thawed, it should be treated like fresh perishables and cooked promptly.