Bacteria remain latent in frozen meat. These germs, however, can reactivate if thawed. Never defrost frozen meat on the counter or leave it out of the fridge for more than two hours. This is dangerous because bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature. The best way to defrost frozen meat is in the refrigerator. Allow it to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before eating. If you need to defrost meat faster, put it in a microwave-safe dish and cook it on high power for 1 minute per 1 inch of thickness. Let it stand in the hot oven for another 30 minutes before serving. If you don't have time for this, then use cold water to defrost it instead. Put the package into a bowl of ice-cold water and let it sit for 30 minutes. The meat will be done when it's no longer frozen around the edges. You can also try using a microwave, but follow the instructions above for maximum safety. You should only use a microwave to defrost frozen vegetables or small amounts of food.