How do you decide if meat or poultry needs defrosting before cooking it?

There are a few ways to tell if meat or poultry needs to be defrosted before cooking it.

1. Check the packaging. Most meat and poultry packages will have instructions on the label that tell you whether or not it needs to be defrosted before cooking. If the package doesn't say anything about defrosting, it's best to err on the side of caution and defrost it.

2. Feel the meat or poultry. If the meat or poultry is still hard or frozen in the center, it needs to be defrosted.

3. Use a meat thermometer. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat or poultry. If the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it needs to be defrosted.

Here are some tips for defrosting meat and poultry safely:

* Thaw meat and poultry in the refrigerator overnight or for several hours. This is the safest method because it allows the meat or poultry to defrost slowly and evenly.

* If you need to defrost meat or poultry quickly, you can place it in a sink filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes or so to keep it cold.

* You can also defrost meat and poultry in the microwave on the defrost setting. However, be sure to cook the meat or poultry immediately after defrosting it in the microwave.

Never defrost meat or poultry at room temperature. This is because bacteria can grow rapidly at room temperature, which can make the meat or poultry unsafe to eat.