Can you eat room thawed meat?

According to the USDA guidelines,[^1] meat should only be thawed in three ways:

- In a refrigerator. This is the most recommended way to thaw meat.

- In cold water (the water should be changed every 30 minutes), or

- In the microwave (on the “defrost” setting, followed immediately by cooking).

Leaving meat at temperatures between 40° and 140°F for more than two hours is not safe, as bacteria will begin to multiply rapidly within this temperature range. Consuming meat that has not been safely thawed can lead to foodborne illness.

[^1]: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/thawing-and-tempering