Can you cook food straight from the freezer without defrosting first? What happens when you cook frozen food from the freezer without defrosting and thawing? Here are 8 types of food you can cook frozen without defrosting or thawing.
1. Vegetables
Vegetables can be cooked frozen without defrosting and thawing. Peas, carrots, corn, and mixed vegetables can be cooked frozen without defrosting.
How to Cook Frozen Vegetables without Defrosting
The best way to cook frozen vegetables without defrosting is by boiling, sauteing, or microwaving the frozen vegetables.
2. Fruits
Fruits can be cooked straight from the freezer without defrosting. If you are looking to bake with fruits, you can take the frozen fruit straight from the freezer without defrosting. Berries such as raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries are frozen fruits that can be cooked without defrosting.
3. Steak
Steak can be cooked frozen without defrosting. Just make sure to cook the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Since you are cooking steak straight from the freezer, expect it to take a little longer to cook.
How to Cook Frozen Steak without Defrosting
The best way to cook a frozen steak is to first sear the steak on high heat in a pan. And then transfer the steak to the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Fish
Fish can be cooked straight from the freezer without defrosting. There are many ways to cook frozen fish. You can cook frozen fish in the oven, in a pan, or on the grill. Just know that it will take a little longer to cook frozen fish since it came straight from the freezer without defrosting.
How to Cook Frozen Fish without defrosting
The way to cook frozen fish is to first rinse the fish under cold water to remove any frozen ice from the fish. After rinsing the fish, pat it dry with a paper towel. Then you can cook your fish in the oven or in a pan or on the grill. Just know that it will take a little longer to cook your fish since it came straight from the oven.
5. Dumplings
Dumplings can be cooked straight from the freezer without defrosting. In fact, it’s better to cook dumplings frozen since defrosting dumplings will result in the dumplings sticking together.
How to Cook Frozen Dumplings without Defrosting
There are two ways to cook frozen dumplings without defrosting. The first is by cooking frozen dumplings in a pot of boiling water. The second cooking method is by pan-frying frozen dumplings on a skillet. When choosing which cooking method is best, check the cooking instructions.
Some frozen dumplings are potstickers, the wrappers are thinner so they are best pan-fried on a skillet. While other frozen dumplings have thicker wrappers and are best boiled in a pot.
6. Pasta
Pasta can be cooked frozen without defrosting. Frozen pasta like ravioli and tortellini are handy pasta to have in the freezer. They make quick meals.
How to Cook Frozen Pasta without Defrosting
Frozen pasta is easy to cook. Just boil your frozen pasta in a pot of water, add pasta sauce and you have a meal!
7. Burger Patties
Burger patties can be cooked frozen without defrosting. Just make sure to cook your burger patties thoroughly and check that the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees fahrenheit.
How to Cook Frozen Burger Patties without Defrosting
It’s easy to cook frozen burger patties. You can sear the frozen burger patties in a pan, cook the frozen burger patties in the oven or cook the frozen burger patties on the grill. Do be careful when cooking the frozen burger patties, expect the burger patties to splatter since it’s being cooked from frozen. Make sure to check the internal temperature of the burger patties. It should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Fried Rice
Cooked rice such as leftover fried rice can be cooked frozen without defrosting. It’s handy to have in your freezer if you are looking for a quick meal to serve.
How to Cook Frozen Fried Rice without Defrosting
There are many ways to cook frozen fried rice without defrosting. You can microwave frozen fried rice or cook the frozen fried rice in a pan. Just be careful when you cook your frozen fried rice in a pan, it will splatter!
Now that you know you can cook frozen food without defrosting, last-minute menu planning is easy. You don’t need to plan ahead of time to prepare last-minute meals!