How long to deforst a frozen 5 lb rib eye reast?

To defrost a 5 lb ribeye roast safely, it typically takes about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 5 pounds of meat. Therefore, you should plan for a full day to allow it to thaw completely. Avoid defrosting at room temperature to minimize the risk of bacterial growth. If you're short on time, you can use the cold water method, changing the water every 30 minutes, which may take about 2-3 hours.