How to Defrost Pork Chops

Co-authored by Sasha Reyes

Last Updated: May 20, 2022 References

The best and the safest way to defrost frozen pork chops is to leave them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This, however, takes a bit of meal-prep foresight. Fortunately, you can still make dinner on time even if the chops are in the freezer when you get home. With cold water and a microwave, you have 2 quick, safe ways to defrost ice-cold chops in a pinch.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Cold Water to Defrost Pork Chops

1
Prepare a bowl with cold tap water. Temperature is key when it comes to safely defrosting frozen food; the water should always be in the cold range. Fill the bowl to a water level that will allow you to fully submerge the pork chops.
- Bacteria multiplies more rapidly starting at 40°F so using cold water only keeps the pork chops below this temperature.^{[1]
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2
Wrap the pork chops in leak-proof packaging. You can wrap the pork chops individually or if the cuts are stacked, place them together as one in a resealable plastic bag. Such protective packaging will prevent any water from reaching the meat and potentially introducing bacteria from the air.^{[2]
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3
Submerge the pork chops into the cold bath. You will want to keep the water from reaching room temperature, so switch it out every 20 to 30 minutes with more cold water.^{[3]
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- You could also place the bowl under a running tap, though this way will waste water.
4
Remove pork chops from the cold bath as they thaw out. Expect the individually wrapped chops to thaw in about 30 minutes. For stacked chops, the top and bottom pieces will defrost first. Once thawed, break away these pieces and transfer them to the refrigerator. Reseal the remaining chops and submerge them in the cold bath again.^{[4]
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- Once thawed in cold water, pork chops must be cooked before you can freeze them again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Thawing Pork Chops in the Microwave

1
Place unwrapped pork chops evenly on a microwave-safe plate. If you have one pork chop, make sure it's in the center. If you have three, divide the plate into three equal parts. To help a microwave thaw more evenly, remove any packaging.
- If the pork chops are different sizes, place the smaller or thinner ones in the center of the plate as the edges of a carousel are the hottest.^{[5]
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2
Use the 30% (low) or 50% (medium) power setting for 2 minutes. Microwaves vary when it comes to power and efficiency. ^{[6]
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- The "defrost" setting on a microwave is equal to 30-50% power.^{[7]
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3
Turn the pork chops; thaw for another 2 minutes. Because microwaves cook unevenly, you should flip and also rotate the pork chops to help with heat distribution. Use a fork or a pair of chopsticks to handle the chops and continue the process until the chops are thawed, which could take 5-10 minutes depending on how many pieces you have.
- If the chops are stacked, start with 30-second bursts and separate the pieces into a single layer as soon as you can.
- The edges of the pork chops may begin to cook during this process.
4
Remove the thawed pork chops from the microwave and prepare to cook. Because food thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately, you'll want to defrost your pork chops 10 or so minutes before you're ready to cook, grill, or roast them.^{[8]
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- As with cold-bath thawing, you can safely refreeze the pork chops after cooking.

Expert Q&A

Question

How long does pork chops take to defrost?

Sasha Reyes
Executive Chef
Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management.

Sasha Reyes

Executive Chef

Expert Answer

It takes anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour for pork chops to defrost—it really depends on the thickness, though.

Warnings

Never leave perishable foods, like frozen pork chops, to defrost on the counter. Doing so leaves food vulnerable to bacteria, which could lead to foodborne illness.

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Do not leave perishable foods from the refrigerator or freezer at room temperature for more than 2 hours.^{[11]
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FoodSafety.gov
Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Be sure to use soap to wash your hands, as well as any utensils and surfaces that may come in contact with the uncooked chops during the thawing process.^{[12]
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Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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