Defrosting Frozen Proteins with Sous Vide Mode
Kate Itrich-Williams
August 31, 2023
Use the Anova Precision Oven to reliably defrost frozen meat and fish in about an hour. An initial timed cook will get the protein soft enough to insert the food probe; from there, simply insert the probe and continue to defrost until the protein has reached 45°F (7°C).
This method will only work safely with small cuts and fillets up to 1 pound (450g). Do not use this method for larger roasts or whole poultry. If the protein is frozen in a heat-safe vacuum seal bag, you can defrost directly in the bag. Your defrosted food must be cooked within 30 minutes of using the defrost setting.
Serves
2
Prep Time
00:01
Cook Time
01:00
5 (4)
28078
Ingredients
Frozen meat or fish, in 4- to 16-ounce (113 to 450g) portions
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Steps
1. Preheat the Oven
Rack
Sous Vide Mode: On
Steam: 100%
Temp: 80°F
Heat: Rear
2. First Defrost
Rack
Place the frozen protein on a sheet pan and transfer to the oven. Let defrost until warm enough to insert the probe, 20 to 30 minutes.
The timer is set to go off after 20 minutes to alert you to check on the protein. If you are cooking a protein larger than 4 ounces (113g) you will likely need the full 30 minutes to start the defrost.
Sous Vide Mode: On
Steam: 100%
Temp: 80°F
Heat: Rear
00:20 Timer
3. Insert Probe
Rack
Remove the protein from the oven and carefully insert the probe into the center of the thickest piece.
Sous Vide Mode: On
Steam: 100%
Temp: 80°F
Heat: Rear
4. Defrost to 45°F (7°C)
Rack
Return to the oven and continue to defrost until the probe reaches its target temperature. This process could take as little as 8 minutes up to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the protein.
Remove from the oven and use in your desired recipe. The meat or fish should be cooked within 30 minutes of defrosting.
Sous Vide Mode: On
Steam: 100%
Temp: 80°F
Heat: Rear
45°F Probe Target
13 Comments
First time user. I did this for 30’ w/ a Costco pouch of frozen chicken breasts, and saw barely any thawing (to the degree one would see just leaving chicken out on countertop). I’m suspicious the sous vide/steam isn’t working as I see no humidity/moisture whatsoever, and the oven interior feels cold. Am I supposed to see moisture?
9mo
Jack
Any thoughts on using this to defrost hoagie buns? I think I can insert probe in the bun right out of the freezer thus skipping one step?
9mo
Jack
FYI. This same procedure works well to defrost bread.
9mo
Food Nerd
What about thawing a halved chicken that was previously smoked?
1y
A
Anova Culinary
yep that should work.
1y
Anova Food Nerd
Anyone tried to defrost a whole chicken? Say 1.5 kg?
2y
A
Anova Culinary
we tested this when developing this recipe. Unfortunately, using these settings will keep the chicken (and other larger cuts) in the temperature danger zone for too long to be food safe. It’s best to reserve this method for single serving proteins.
2y
C
Christopher Mueller
Curious: if you didn’t want to puncture the sealed bag, could you presume that after an hour and fifteen minutes (the longest estimated time provided at that time and temp) that the meat has been defrosted, and that you can program a cook from there? For example, run for 80° with SV mode and 100% steam for an hour and fifteen minutes, then jump to 132° for an hour (for, say, a hanger steak)?
2y
A
Anova Culinary
I’d still use the probe when transitioning to a full cooking stage. You don’t really want your meat hanging out longer than necessary at 80F because it can breed pathogens. But once the meat hits 45F, you can certainly start cooking it in sous vide mode to 132F. I’d also leave the probe in for that next cook, that way you can bump up the oven a smidge (to say 140F) to speed up cooking.
2y
M
Martin and Crystal Howley
I needed this yesterday! I baked chicken that I had vacuumed sealed. I let it thaw in the sink. Could have saved time.
2y
A
Anova Culinary
next time!! 🤣
2y
Alex Brown
Hooray! Thanks for adding this. I had my own defrost recipe but I know you test yours for different conditions etc.
3y
A
Anova Culinary
We’d love to hear how this one works for you!
3y
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