Steak is delicious, but if the one you plan to eat is still frozen, there are better ways to defrost it than using the microwave. All you need for this method is a little water and two pans—no special tools or appliances at all, and it works in minutes.


The method isn't horribly new, but it is useful. CTi, a Taiwanese cable channel, explains you can use this method to defrost a 1 cm thick piece of steak in under five minutes without the need for any electricity—we imagine thicker cuts might take a little longer, but not much. Just grab a pan or baking sheet, turn it over, and put your steak on it (you can do this with any clean, solid surface if you don't want to use two pans.) Then get another pan, fill it with water, and put it on top of your steak. The combination of the weight and the pan's ability to conduct heat should bring your steak to temp in a matter of minutes.

The video above is in Chinese, but it shows off the trick pretty well. You wind up flattening the steak a bit, but depending on how hungry you are, it may be an aesthetic price worth paying. Plus, this way you don't have to risk partially cooking them in the microwave. Then again, you could always just sear it while it's frozen.


Defrost a Steak in 5 Mins Without Electricity | Fine Dining Lovers