Experts are warning some foods can be safely cooked straight from frozen but others must be thawed first. To avoid upset stomachs or worse, specialists have outlined which frozen foods are safe to cook as-is and which ones you should steer clear of. Frozen meals are a convenient option – especially when you’re short on time or running low on fresh ingredients. However, according to Which? and guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), many people may not be aware of the proper rules for handling frozen foods.
In their guidance, they note that you should freeze food before its use-by date to ensure it will be safe after defrosting. They also note that people should “thaw food in the fridge” and “avoid defrosting food at room temperature, as this encourages the growth of bacteria.”
So which foods are safe to cook from frozen, and which foods do you need to let thaw first? Here’s all the food rules you need to know.
5 foods you should never cook straight from frozen
- Chicken
- Sausages
- Mince
- Prawns or shellfish
- Homemade frozen meals
Take chicken, for example. Both the FSA and NHS recommend defrosting it in the fridge at a temperature of 5C or below. While this is the safest method, it can take 24 hours or longer, so it’s essential to plan ahead to ensure the chicken is ready when you need it. If you’re short on time, you can defrost chicken using your microwave’s defrost setting.
To check that it’s fully thawed, cut a small slit into the thickest part – there should be no ice crystals and the meat should feel soft throughout. Avoid washing raw chicken, as doing so can spread harmful bacteria through splashing water, increasing the risk of food poisoning. When cooking, always ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked and piping hot all the way through.
The NHS list symptoms of food poisoning which include:
- feeling sick or being sick
- diarrhoea
- tummy pain
- a high temperature
- feeling generally unwell
Using a meat thermometer can help confirm that it has reached a safe internal temperature. You should aim for a reading of 75C – the equivalent to 165F.
5 foods you can cook straight from frozen
- Sliced bread or rolls
- Fruit
- Cream
- Prepackaged food
- Most vegetables and herbs
Basil, coriander, chives and oregano are all great candidates for freezing and can be added directly to dishes like sauces, curries and stews without the need to thaw them first. However, once frozen, these herbs lose their fresh texture and are best reserved for cooking rather than garnishing. It’s important to note that not all herbs freeze equally well. Delicate varieties like dill may become limp and lose structure while sturdier herbs like rosemary and thyme tend to hold onto their flavor and texture much better.
Will you change the way you cook and have you learned anything new? Let us know in the comments.