Refrigerator method: place the frozen ground beef on a plate or in a container and thaw it in the refrigerator
Cold water method: seal the beef in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes
Microwave method: use the defrost setting and thaw in short intervals, turning the meat as needed
Cook from frozen: cook the ground beef directly without thawing if you need it immediately
Use thawed beef promptly: cook it within 1 to 2 days if thawed in the refrigerator
Keep thawing meat at safe temperatures and avoid leaving it at room temperature