To save time and effort, making and freezing baby food in advance is the best way to go, so your little one has something to eat on those days when you are extremely busy.
And that day has come. It may seem easy to thaw frozen baby food. The truth is, this is one sensitive process that you have to perform carefully.
Now, your dilemma is to determine how to thaw the food properly. What methods can you use to do it? Is there anything that you need to avoid doing? What safety precautions should you carry out?
If you want to know how to thaw homemade baby food properly, this is one guide that you should read!
Different Ways to Thaw Frozen Homemade Baby Food
Most people think that there is only one way on how to thaw baby food. For your information, there are plenty of methods on how you can do this. Here are some of them:
Method #1: Freezer to Refrigerator (12 to 24 hours)
This is the longest and most tedious way of defrosting homemade baby food. However, it is also the simplest. This is because you do not have to monitor the baby food as it defrosts. However, it may take up to 12 to 24 hours, so make sure that you plan your meals accordingly if you go down this route.
Here are some of the steps on how to thaw food in the refrigerator:
As mentioned, this is the simplest defrosting method there is! Just leave the covered canister in the refrigerator, and the food will be thoroughly thawed the next day. It's that easy!
Method #2: On a Warm Water Bath (10 to 20 minutes)
This is also called as the submersion method, and it will take only 10 to 20 minutes to defrost baby food. This is a quick and straightforward way to thaw food.
However, you may need to make sure that the container of the baby food is sealed correctly and doesn't have any holes. When the water enters the container and comes in contact with the food, its texture may change after reheating.
Also, we would like to emphasize to use only warm water and not hot water. This is because hot water temperature promotes the growth of bacteria.
Here are the steps you need to take for this method:
Method #3: Via a Microwave (1 to 2 minutes)
Defrosting baby food in the microwave is the most common method of all. This is because using the microwave is the most accessible and convenient option that you have. If you're pressed for time, this is one option you may want to consider.
Please keep in mind, though, that there are mixed feedback about it. Some parents think of it as a time saver. On the other hand, some parents believe that thawing food in the microwave is not the healthiest way to go.
If you want to try the microwave option, here are some of the steps that you can take.
Method #4: In a Food Steamer (10 minutes)
The 4-in-1 baby food makers come with a defrost feature that can help thaw food easily. If you have this type of food processor, you can use this method.
It has been noted that it will only take 10 minutes to defrost a 2oz frozen baby food cube. This is an easy method to use.
However, it is not recommended for thawing meat-based homemade baby food because the exposure of the meat to the high temperature of steam increases the risk of bacterial growth. Only use this option for meat items if you plan on heating the frozen food right after thawing it.
To do this, here are the steps that you should take:
The Biggest Don't of Defrosting Baby Food
If there are right ways to thaw frozen baby food, you should know that there is also one wrong way to do it. This is to leave it out at room temperature.
We know that leaving homemade baby food at room temperature is tempting because it is a faster method than to place the food in the refrigerator. However, that temperature creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, which can lead to spoilage.
What is the Best Way to Thaw Frozen Baby Food?
The best way to thaw frozen baby food is one that is the most suitable for your lifestyle, needs, schedule, and situation. It doesn't matter which method you will use. As long as you follow the safety precautions we have mentioned, you can be able to thaw your baby's food safely and correctly.