How should thawed food be cooked after using a microwave?

Thawed food should be cooked immediately after using a microwave because the microwave can create hot spots that may not sufficiently kill harmful bacteria. When food is thawed in the microwave, parts of it may begin to cook, while other areas may remain cold. If this partially cooked or warmed food is not cooked right away, there is a risk of bacteria multiplying during the time it sits at a temperature that allows for such growth.

Cooking immediately ensures that any portions of the food that may have reached unsafe temperatures are brought up to a safe level, minimizing the risk of foodborne illness. Other timeframes, such as 1 hour or 2 hours, would allow too much leeway for harmful bacteria to proliferate. Letting food cool first before cooking also poses a safety concern, as it prolongs the time food spends in the temperature danger zone. Therefore, the best practice is to start cooking the thawed food right away to ensure food safety.