Dry brining a partially frozen steak?

[ssandy_561]

I have a Snake River Farms Gold Wagyu Cowboy Steak I’m planning on reverse searing tomorrow. It’s 44 oz. and about 2.5” thick.

I just took it out of the freezer last night and put it in the fridge. After 24 hours it’s still partially frozen.

Usually I dry brine my thick steaks for 24 hours before I cook them.

With it still being partially frozen should I dry brine it tonight?

I assume tomorrow morning it will be thawed completely.

Should I wait to dry brine it in the morning once it’s fully thawed or brine it tonight like normal.

(Or am I overthinking this and it really doesn’t matter.)

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

[RonB]

I'd go ahead and dry brine it. That way the salt will continue to penetrate as it thaws.

[bbqLuv]

Yes, I would if it were me.

[Draznnl]

I would dry brine tonight.

[STEbbq]

Go ahead and dry brine.

[STEbbq]

As an aside, this is a great opportunity to add a defrost plate to your collection.

https://www.grillgrate.com/products/factory-second-griddles/

[Jerod Broussard]

Put salt on it, overnight to moi. Not thinking enough if you ask me.

[smokenoob]

I would put it in a ziploc bag, dunk in cold water till thawed (bout hour later) then dry brine.

[texastweeter]

Salt it now, your fine. Do it all the time.

[Bob K]

No problem. I do this all the time. It even works if fully frozen: Wet your hands and pat the steak enough to wet it a little so the salt doesn’t bounce off then salt and defrost how you would normally. When it s thawed it’s also brined.

[RolfTaylor]

The salt will actually hasten thawing (it's the same as rock salt after all). I do it all the time.

[WayneT]

I’ve often wondered about dry brining a steak before vac sealing then freezing for later SV. Would vac sealing ssandy_561 ‘s steak after salting help transport the salt into the meat?

[RonB]

I do that all the time - works fine.

[ssandy_561]

Thanks for everyone’s advice. It’s salted and sitting in the fridge.

[WayneT]

And, btw, that’s a great looking ribeye!

[ssandy_561]

WayneT Thanks! It should be for the price I paid. 😆 I’ll be posting the cook for last night in SUWYC tonight.

[TxF]

A few years ago some neighbors gave us a thawing board. It’s a pieces of aluminum with fins underneath and it sits on silicon feet on each end. I laughed at it, but it will thaw anything that fits on it in 4 hrs or less and they cost about $20 on Amazon.

[RolfTaylor]

Granite (or similar) counter tops or a stainless steel sink work well too. Basically all of these options as as heat sinks.