3 Safe Methods to Defrost Frozen Pork Chops

Fun fact: Pork is the most widely consumed meat worldwide, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. On average, Americans eat 1 ¼ pounds of pork every week, which adds up to a lot of tenderloin, ribs, and chops!

If you've stocked up on pork chops for the long haul, here’s what you need to know about thawing them safely:

How to Safely Thaw Frozen Pork Chops

First things first: Avoid thawing pork chops at room temperature (don’t just leave them out on the counter). Doing so creates a serious food safety risk, as it can let your pork enter the "danger zone" between 40°F and 140°F, which is prime territory for bacterial growth, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) outlines three safe methods for thawing frozen pork chops — or any smaller or sliced cuts of meat like beef steaks, salmon fillets, or chicken breasts.

Thawing Frozen Pork Chops in the Refrigerator

If you have the time to plan ahead, this is a simple and safe method to thaw frozen pork chops.

• Place frozen pork chops in a container, such as a casserole or baking dish, to catch any potential drips.
• Allow to chill at refrigerator temperature (35 degrees F to 40 degrees F) for 12 to 24 hours, depending on pork chop size and whether you froze the pork chops individually or together.
• After thawing pork chops in the refrigerator, you can keep them in the refrigerator safely for three to five days before cooking.

Thawing Frozen Pork Chops in Cold Water

Faster than refrigerator thawing but a bit more involved, using cold water is a safe method for thawing pork chops — as long as you do it properly.

• Unwrap frozen pork chops and place in a leakproof zip-top plastic bag.
• Submerge the bag of frozen pork chops in a big bowl or pot of cold tap water.
• Replace the water every 30 minutes until thawed. A one-pound chop thaws in about an hour, while a four-pound stack may take about three hours.

Food safety reminder: Avoid using your sink for thawing, as any leakage could introduce bacteria to the sink surfaces. Also, steer clear of warm or hot water, as it can raise the pork chops' temperature into the danger zone.

Thawing Frozen Pork Chops in the Microwave

If you thaw pork chops in the microwave, be ready to cook them immediately, since some parts may thaw unevenly and enter the temperature danger zone.

• Unwrap frozen pork chops and place on a microwave-safe plate to catch any potential drips.
• Lightly cover plate with heat-safe plastic wrap to prevent any splatters from spraying around the microwave.
• Cook at 50 percent power for two minutes, flip, and cook for two minutes more.
• Repeat as needed, depending on the size of your pork chops.

What to Do When You're Short on Time and Can't Thaw Frozen Pork Chops

If you're in a rush and don't want to use the microwave, you can cook most pork chop recipes starting with frozen chops. Just keep in mind that you'll need to increase the cooking time by about 50% compared to a recipe using thawed or fresh meat.