A trusty cast iron skillet is a kitchen staple for several reasons: It’s tough, versatile, and can handle high heat without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re frying chicken, making a hearty stew, or looking for the best pan for searing steak, cast iron gets the job done. It also holds heat well, which makes it great for slow cooking and maintaining a consistent temperature. But did you know that this sturdy cookware can do more than just cook? One of the unexpected uses for your cast iron skillet is quickly thawing frozen meat, especially thin cuts like chicken breasts or steaks. It sounds strange, but it works because of the unique properties of the metal.
Cast iron is dense and retains heat for a long period. When you place a frozen piece of meat on a cast iron skillet at room temperature, the metal absorbs heat from the surrounding air, transfers it to the meat, and causes it to thaw. This process makes frozen meat defrost faster than if it was simply left on top of a dinner plate made of, say, glass, wood, or ceramic material. It’s a simple trick that can save you time, especially when you’ve forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer in advance. And unlike a microwave, it doesn’t cook the edges while leaving the middle frozen.
How to thaw meat with a cast iron skillet
Using a cast iron skillet to thaw frozen meat is easy, but it still requires some patience. Start by setting your cast iron skillet on a flat, stable surface like your countertop. Lay your thin frozen piece of meat directly on the skillet. Let the meat sit on the skillet for about an hour. After the first 30 minutes, flip it to ensure even thawing. Then after another 30 minutes, check the meat to see if it’s thawed.
It should be soft to the touch and no longer frozen in the center. If it’s still a bit icy, give it a few more minutes. However, keep in mind that meat should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as it could become contaminated by bacteria. Once the meat is thawed, cook it promptly to ensure food safety. And that’s it. With this simple method, you can thaw your meat relatively quickly and get dinner on the table without stress. It’s just one more reason to keep that cast iron skillet handy.
