Is it safe to thaw meat overnight on the counter? Foods should never be thawed or even stored on the counter, or defrosted in hot water. Food left above 40 °F (unrefrigerated) is not at a safe temperature. There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. 2022. 3. 13. · Place the frozen meat on a plate, cover it with a paper towel, and put it in the microwave. Turn the microwave on high for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the temperature of the meat. If it’s still too cold, continue microwaving for another 5 minutes. The meat should be completely thawed after this process.