Kids' Food Safety: Cooking Frozen Foods

If you defrost food in your refrigerator, you don't need to cook it immediately. If you defrost in cold water or in the microwave, you should cook it immediately.

Frozen raw or cooked meat, poultry or casseroles can be cooked or reheated from the frozen state. However, it will take approximately one and a half times the usual cooking time for food that is not frozen. Remember to discard any wrapping or absorbent paper from meat or poultry.

When cooking whole poultry, remove the giblet pack from the cavity as soon as you can loosen it. Cook the giblets separately. Read the label on USDA-inspected frozen meat and poultry products and follow the package directions for thawing, reheating and storing. Some products, such as pre-stuffed whole birds, must be cooked from the frozen state to ensure safety.