I don't have a refrigerator. Can I marinate chicken at room temperature?

Question

I want to make butter chicken, and I came across recipes that say its ok to marinate chicken for an hour at room temperature. But most recipes recommend marination in the fridge..Is it ok to marinate outside for less than an hour?

Answer 1

Yes, it will be fine for previously-refrigerated chicken.



The general rule is that any food (that normally needs refrigeration) must be kept out of the "danger zone" of certain temperatures longer than 4 hours.

(That 4 hrs includes ALL of the time though since slaughter, including once you take it out of the refrigerated case at the store and transport it home, and sometimes you won't know how well it's been stored by other people during all of that time.)



The danger zone is considered to be between 40º F (the normal temp in a well-functioning refrigerator) and 140º F (the temp of fish cooked to a safe temp).



So one hour outside that danger zone won't be a problem at all (unless the food had been very badly stored before that). And even then, if you cook the very-interior of that food to the proper "safe" temp, you'd kill off things like e.coli and salmonella.



Also, salt/sodium, sugars, and acids are natural preservatives, and you likely have some of those in your marinade which would be even better.

Answer 2

Yes. But don't just leave it in the sun. Cover the bowl, plate or whatever the chicken is in with a towel and place somewhere cool. I think marinating outside the fridge makes the chicken soak up the juices more. Marinating inside the fridge is more sanitary, though. You decide.

Answer 3

Definately ok to marinate being left out at room temp. Me and my family do this all the time! Now if it were longer then an hr then that might be a different story.

Answer 4

I had a recipe that said marinate outside frig for 30 min. I'm still alive! But my house is kept cool-

Answer 5

not only can you, but for most recipes it is better!! ambient temperature speeds up the whole marinading process!!



The only thing i marinade in the fridge is fish and seafood.

Answer 6

Yes. Put it in a big zip lock freezes bag and seal it. Cook it untill it's over 165F for at least 10 minutes and you won't get sick.

Answer 7

It will be fine, just find a cool place and keep covered.

Answer 8

then get your self a ice chest it is a lot cheaper then paying $1,000 for a hospital visit with food poison (you said you don't have a refrigerator)