How many minutes per pound does it take to cook a frozen roast beef? To cook the frozen roast beef for about 50% longer than you would for a fresh roast beef. For medium-rare roast beef, you should aim for about 30-35 minutes per pound, while medium roast beef will take about 40-45 minutes per pound.
If you’ve ever found yourself with frozen roast beef and wondered how long it will take to cook, you’re not alone. Cooking frozen roast beef can be tricky, but with the right technique, you can achieve a delicious and juicy result.
In This Article
Cooking Frozen Roast Beef
If you’re short on time and need to cook frozen roast beef, don’t worry! With the right cooking time, method, and seasoning, you can still enjoy flavorful and juicy roast beef.
Defrosting
It’s best to thaw your roast beef before cooking it, but if you’re in a hurry, you can cook it straight from the freezer. However, keep in mind that the cooking time will be longer, and the roast may not cook evenly. To defrost your roast beef, you can:
- Defrost in the refrigerator: This is the safest method. Place the frozen roast beef in a covered container and let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 5 pounds of meat.
- Defrost in cold water: Place the frozen roast beef in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes and cook immediately once thawed.
- Defrost in the microwave: Follow the microwave’s instructions for defrosting meat. Cook immediately once thawed.
Cooking Time
Cooking time for frozen roast beef is longer than for thawed beef. Here’s a general guideline for cooking time:
| Doneness | Cooking Time (per pound) |
|---|---|
| Rare | 20-25 minutes |
| Medium | 30-35 minutes |
| Well-Done | 40-45 minutes |
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast beef. For medium-rare, the temperature should be 135°F; for medium, it should be 145°F; and for well-done, it should be 160°F.
Cooking Methods
There are several ways to cook frozen roast beef:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the frozen roast beef on a rack in a roasting pan and season with salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast. Cook appropriately or until the internal temperature reaches the desired doneness. Let the roast beef rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Slow Cooker: Place the frozen roast beef in a slow cooker with onions, carrots, garlic, beef broth, and seasonings. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches the desired doneness. Let the roast beef rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Pressure Cooker: Place the frozen roast beef in a pressure cooker with onions, carrots, garlic, beef broth, and seasonings. Cook on high pressure for 20-25 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches the desired doneness. Let the roast beef rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Regardless of your cooking method, make sure to cover the roast beef with foil to prevent it from drying out. You can add fat or broth to keep the roast beef moist and flavorful.
Defrosting
Before you can cook frozen roast beef, you need to defrost it properly. There are two safe ways to defrost frozen roast beef: in the refrigerator or in cold water.
Refrigerator
The best way to defrost frozen roast beef is to place it in the refrigerator. This method is safe and helps prevent bacteria from growing on the meat. Here are the steps to defrost frozen roast beef in the refrigerator:
- Remove the frozen roast beef from the freezer and place it on a plate or tray.
- Put the plate or tray in the refrigerator.
- Allow the roast beef to defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 5 pounds of meat. For example, if you have 10 pounds of frozen roast beef, it will take about 48 hours (2 days) to defrost in the refrigerator.
Once the roast beef is completely defrosted, you can cook it using your preferred method.
Cold Water
If you need to defrost a frozen roast beef quickly, you can use the cold water method. This method is faster than defrosting in the refrigerator, but it requires more attention. Here are the steps to defrost a frozen roast beef in cold water:
- Remove the frozen roast beef from the freezer and place it in a leak-proof plastic bag.
- Fill a large bowl or sink with cold water.
- Submerge the bagged roast beef in cold water. Make sure the water completely covers the meat.
- Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold and fresh.
- Defrost small cuts of meat (about a pound) in 1 hour or less. Larger cuts of meat (3-4 pounds) may take 2-3 hours. For whole roast beef, estimate about 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound of meat.
Once the roast beef is completely defrosted, you can cook it using your preferred method.
Cooking Time
When cooking frozen roast beef, the cooking time is crucial to ensure that it is cooked to perfection. Here we will discuss how many minutes per pound it takes to cook frozen roast beef.
How Minutes Per Pound
Generally, cooking frozen roast beef takes about 50% longer than cooking unfrozen roast beef.
Therefore, you should cook medium-rare roast beef for about 30-35 minutes per pound, while medium roast beef should be cooked for about 40-45 minutes per pound.
However, it is important to note that cooking time may vary depending on the size of the roast beef and the type of oven you are using.
It is always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the roast beef is at least 145°F for medium-rare and 160°F for medium.
Here is a table that summarizes how many minutes per pound it takes to cook a frozen roast beef:
| Weight of Roast Beef | Medium-Rare (30-35 minutes per pound) | Medium (40-45 minutes per pound) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 pounds | 1.5-2 hours | 2-2.5 hours |
| 4-5 pounds | 2-2.5 hours | 2.5-3 hours |
| 6-7 pounds | 3-3.5 hours | 3.5-4 hours |
Remember to let the roast beef rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving it to allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to become more tender.
Cooking Methods
When cooking frozen roast beef, there are several methods you can use. The most common methods are the oven, slow cooker, and pressure cooker.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that works best for you.
Oven
The oven is a popular method for cooking frozen roast beef. To cook frozen roast beef in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen beef roast on a rack in a roasting pan and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast. Cook for about 50% longer than the correct cooking time for unfrozen roast beef. For medium-rare roast beef, you cook for about 30-35 minutes per pound, for medium roast beef, you cook for about 40-45 minutes per pound. Once the roast beef has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Slow Cooker
The slow cooker is another great method for cooking frozen roast beef. To cook frozen roast beef in a slow cooker, place the frozen beef roast in the slow cooker and add any desired seasonings or vegetables. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Once the roast beef has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Pressure Cooker
Using a pressure cooker is a fast and efficient method for cooking frozen roast beef. To cook frozen roast beef in a pressure cooker, add the frozen beef roast and any desired seasonings or vegetables to the pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for about 20-25 minutes per pound. Once the roast beef has reached the desired temperature, release the pressure and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Overall, each cooking method has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cooking frozen roast beef. It’s important to choose the method that works best for you based on your personal preferences and time constraints.
Tips For Cooking Frozen Roast Beef
When it comes to cooking frozen roast beef, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your meat comes out tender and juicy. Here are some tips:
Resting
Resting your meat after cooking is an important step that allows the juices to redistribute throughout the roast. This helps to keep the meat moist and tender. When cooking frozen roast beef, it’s especially important to let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing it. This will give the juices time to settle and make for a more flavorful roast.
Seasonings
Just because you’re cooking a frozen roast beef doesn’t mean you can’t add some flavor to it. Before cooking, you can season your roast with your favorite herbs and spices. Some popular options include garlic, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper. You can also add a little bit of olive oil to the outside of the roast to help it brown and crisp up nicely.
Internal Temperature
When cooking frozen roast beef, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the meat reaches a safe level. The USDA recommends cooking beef to an internal temperature of 145°F for medium-rare, 160°F for medium, and 170°F for well-done. Make sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast to get an accurate reading.
Overall, cooking frozen roast beef can be a little bit trickier than cooking fresh meat, but it’s doable. With these tips, you can ensure that your roast always comes out perfectly.
Summary
Cooking frozen roast beef can be a daunting task, but with the right techniques and tools, you can have delicious and tender roast beef on your plate in no time. Remember to always defrost your roast beef properly before cooking it to ensure even cooking and avoid bacterial growth.
When it comes to cooking time, the general rule of thumb is to cook frozen roast beef for about 50% longer than the recommended cooking time for unfrozen roast beef. For medium-rare roast beef, cook for 30 to 35 minutes per pound. For medium roast beef, cook for 40-45 hours each pound.
It’s important to keep an eye on the internal temperature of your roast beef to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, and remember that the internal temperature of the roast beef will continue to rise even after it’s been removed from the oven.
Lastly, don’t forget to let your roast beef rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender and flavorful roast beef.
