Who doesn't love hamburgers? If you have frozen hamburger meat in the freezer, don't forget to soften it first to restore the deliciousness of the meat and make it easier to process, yes! By far, the most effective way to tenderize hamburgers is to let them sit for a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator. However, if you have limited time, try soaking them in cold water or warming them up in the microwave. Once the texture has softened, the hamburger meat can be cooked immediately and enjoyed with a variety of vegetables and your favorite sauce.
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Method 1 of 3: Chilling Hamburgers in the Fridge
Step 1. Put the meat in the refrigerator
Keep the meat in its original packaging. If the original packaging is damaged, please transfer the meat to an airtight container. Then, place the container on one of the refrigerator shelves.
Keep meat away from fruits and vegetables
Step 2. Let the meat weighing 450 grams for 5 hours in the refrigerator
If the weight of the meat is more than that, please add the time in the same ratio. After 5 hours, touch the surface of the meat to make sure it is soft. If the meat is still tough and covered in ice, immediately put it back in the refrigerator until the meat is completely soft.
Step 3. Tenderize the meat in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking
In this method, the meat can be stored in the refrigerator for several days before cooking. If not cooked, the meat can be returned to the freezer after being left for 2 days in the refrigerator.
Step 4. Cook the meat on the stove or in the oven
Once the texture has softened, the meat can be fried in a little oil in a frying pan or baked in the oven. Then, mix the meat with your favorite bread, vegetables, and sauce for a delicious hamburger.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. In particular, beef and lamb should be cooked to an internal temperature of 71 degrees Celsius, while chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
- Place the leftover meat in an airtight container, then store the container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days, or in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.
Method 2 of 3: Soaking Hamburgers in Cold Water
Step 1. Transfer the meat to a plastic clip bag
Be careful, exposure to air or water can damage the texture of the meat! Therefore, always store meat in airtight plastic to prevent this risk. After all, clip-on plastic bags are an option that is not only effective, but also very inexpensive.
Buy a plastic bag clip at the nearest supermarket
Step 2. Soak the bag of meat in cold water
Fill a large bowl or clogged sink with cold tap water. Then, soak the meat in it.
Don't soak the meat in hot water! The hot temperature on the surface of the meat is a wetland for bacteria to breed
Step 3. Change the water every 30 minutes, until the meat is really soft
Since the water will warm up over time, don't forget to change it to prevent bacteria from multiplying faster. Ideally, the water should be changed every half hour to keep the meat cool. Touch the meat periodically to make sure it feels soft, rather than hard, when pressed.
If you only need to tenderize less than 450 grams of meat, chances are you don't need to replace the water as the meat will soften before 30 minutes
Step 4. Fry or grill the meat until cooked
Once the texture is softened, immediately cook the meat, then combine it with a variety of favorite sauces, breads, and vegetables. Generally, beef is delicious paired with lettuce, tomatoes and mustard.
- Cook beef and lamb until the internal temperature reaches 71 degrees Celsius, and chicken until the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius. Continue to cook the meat until the internal temperature of the meat reaches the recommended value when checked with a kitchen thermometer.
- If there is still meat left, please store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days, or in the freezer for a maximum of 4 months.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Microwave
Step 1. Transfer the hamburger to a heatproof plate
If possible, separate each piece of meat before placing it in the microwave so that the tenderizing process can take place more quickly and evenly. Make sure each piece of meat does not overlap or touch each other when placed on a plate, OK!
Check the information on the bottom of the plate to make sure it can be heated in the microwave (usually indicated by the “microwave-safe” label). If you doubt the ability of the plate to withstand very hot temperatures, we recommend using a plate made of glass or ceramic
Step 2. Put the hamburger meat in the microwave, then turn on the special mode to soften the food or "defrost"
If your microwave has a mode to automatically soften food, simply select “defrost” mode and turn on the microwave. The microwave should automatically determine the softening time afterwards. If you are asked to enter the weight of the meat, try checking the information on the meat package or weighing the meat on a kitchen scale. Then, enter the actual weight of the meat and turn on the microwave.
If your microwave has a special softening mode, warm the meat to medium and check its condition every 5 minutes
Step 3. Cook the hamburger immediately after it has softened
Once the texture of the meat has softened, immediately fry it in a little oil in a frying pan or grill it. Then, combine the meat with a variety of favorite complementary ingredients, such as cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes that are delicious to serve with beef or lamb.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. Ideally, beef and lamb should be cooked to an internal temperature of 71 degrees Celsius, while chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
- Store leftover meat in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
