Forgot to Defrost? 8 Dinners From the Freezer and Pantry
Safe ways to cook meat straight from frozen, plus eight dinners from the freezer and cupboard for nights when nothing is thawed.
It is five o'clock and the chicken is still a solid block. You have two good options: cook it from frozen, safely, or make dinner from the freezer and pantry instead.
Can you cook meat from frozen?
Yes. The USDA says meat and poultry can be cooked safely without thawing; it just takes about 50% longer than thawed. It works best in the oven, on the stove or in the air fryer, with a thermometer to check the center.
What you should not do: thaw on the counter, or put frozen meat in a slow cooker, where it can spend too long at unsafe temperatures.
Quick thaw for small pieces
Seal the meat in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. A pound of thin chicken breasts or ground beef often thaws in about an hour. Cook it right away.
Frozen chicken breasts in the oven
- 4 frozen boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, pepper and paprika
Roast on a lined pan at 400°F, seasoning once the surface thaws, about 50% longer than fresh, until 165°F in the thickest part.
Frozen shrimp scampi
- 1 pound frozen shrimp
- 12 ounces linguine
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon
Thaw the shrimp under cold running water in 5 to 10 minutes, then cook in garlic butter and toss with the pasta.
Pantry pasta puttanesca
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup olives
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 3 garlic cloves
Simmer the garlic, tomatoes, olives and capers for 15 minutes and toss with the pasta.
Freezer fried rice
- 3 cups cooked or frozen rice
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 3 eggs
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
Stir-fry the vegetables and rice from frozen, push aside to scramble the eggs and season.
Black bean soup
- 3 (15-ounce) cans black beans
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 3 cups broth
- 1 onion
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Simmer everything 15 minutes and blend half for a creamy soup. Top with sour cream.
Frozen ravioli bake
- 25 ounces frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Layer the frozen ravioli and sauce, top with cheese, cover and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, then uncovered 10 more.
Tuna melts
- 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 celery stalk
- 4 slices cheese
- 8 slices bread
Mix the tuna salad, build sandwiches with cheese and toast in a buttered skillet.
Eggs for dinner
- 8 eggs
- Frozen spinach or peppers
- Cheese
- Toast
Make a fast scramble or frittata with whatever vegetables are in the freezer.
Questions, answered
Is it safe to cook frozen chicken without thawing?
Yes, in the oven, on the stove or in an air fryer. It takes about 50% longer, and it must reach 165°F in the thickest part. Do not cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker.
How do I thaw meat quickly?
Seal it in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes, then cook it right away. You can also use the microwave defrost setting and cook immediately.
