Meat has been such a popular grocery item during the coronavirus pandemic that sales increased nearly 50% in early May from a year earlier, according to Nielsen . Now shoppers may be stocking up even more with the possibility of meat shortages .

Stashing meat and poultry in the freezer makes it last longer and helps preserve its flavor and nutrient content, experts say. But when youre ready to cook it, whats the best and safest way to defrost meat? Can you cook frozen meat? What about microwaving? We asked food safety experts to answer these and other questions about freezing meat.

The dangers of defrosting meat improperly

Defrosting meat incorrectly increases the risk of foodborne illness, according to Karen Blakeslee, extension associate and Rapid Response Center coordinator at Kansas State University .

You cannot see bacteria with the naked eye, so using safe food handling practices reduces the chances of bacteria to grow, Blakeslee said.

So, dont take shortcuts during the defrosting process.

Taking a few extra minutes to plan ahead can save a lot of time, reduce the chance of foodborne illness and reduce food waste, Blakeslee said.

Heres why freezing meat keeps it safe to eat in the first place

Freezing is a quick and convenient way to preserve meats at home because meat is made up of a high percentage of water that forms crystals that can be managed in size and number just by proper freezing and defrosting practices, said Kantha Shelke , food scientist and principal at Corvus Blue and food science communicator at the Institute of Food Technologists .

Its best to freeze meat quickly to a very low temperature in freezer-safe packaging, such as butcher paper, aluminum foil, freezer bags or airtight containers, Shelke said. Leaving meat in its store packaging may lead to freezer burn, since the packaging usually wont keep air out.