How To Thaw A Large Pork Butt - LEAFtv

La_vanda/iStock/GettyImages

Ideal, safe methods for thawing pork involve defrosting it in the fridge or with the aid of cold water. All meats, including pork butt, require a minimum of 24 hours of thawing per five pounds of weight in the refrigerator or 30 minutes per pound in cool water. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture concedes that defrosting meat in the microwave is acceptable, large items such as pork butt will thaw unevenly.

Refrigerator

Place the pork butt in a baking dish lined with paper towels or on a wire rack placed on a sheet pan. Elevating the cut of meat allows air to circulate underneath and keeps it out of the liquid released while defrosting.

Place the pork on the bottom shelf of the fridge to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.

Defrost the pork 24 hours for every five pounds. Use the meat within three to five days of defrosting.

Water

Submerge the pork butt in a large plastic container, and fill the container with cold water.

Replace the water every 30 minutes.

Thaw the pork 30 minutes for every pound, and cook immediately upon thawing. Don't refreeze pork butt thawed with the cold-water method.

References

• "The Professional Chef 8th Edition"; The Culinary Institute of America; 2006

Writer Bio

A.J. Andrews' work has appeared in Food and Wine, Fricote and "BBC Good Food." He lives in Europe where he bakes with wild yeast, milks goats for cheese and prepares for the Court of Master Sommeliers level II exam. Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

• Read

  How to Thaw Cooked Frozen Pork

• Read

  How to Freeze Cooked Pork Tenderloin

• Read

  How to Reheat Leftover Prime Rib

• Read

  How to Reheat Frozen Pork

• Read

  How to Defrost Frozen Cooked Beef

• Read

  How to Freeze Cooked Meat

Reconnect With Nature

A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv