Reheating leftovers in a microwave is a routine task in a busy household. But we all have that small fear that our food will, in fact, end up far more chewy and unpleasant than we remember.
Wouldn’t it be great to have our leftovers taste just as great the second time around? This guide should help you figure out the perfect amount of time to reheat your food in the microwave, or even a convection microwave oven like the Sharp SMC1585BS model. Now reheat these foods with confidence!
Proper Pizza Reheating
Nothing compares to a slice of left-over Friday night pizza. While we recommend using an oven to reheat more than one or two slices, a microwave is undoubtedly a much faster method.
First, make sure to keep a paper towel or napkin between your plate and the slice of pizza, it will absorb excess oils and moisture that usually would result in a soggy slice. Then, place it in your microwave for 1 minute, and grab and go.
Reheat Soup in 60-Second Shifts
Soup is perfect for reheating in a microwave on a rainy day. Since soup does not have any crisp crusts it will reheat very well.
Traditionally, we recommend heating a bowl of soup for approximately 3 minutes, stopping every 60 seconds to quickly stir (this helps to avoid those unwanted cold spots, yuck), and covering the cup or bowl with a damp paper towel to allow the leftovers to steam.
Cover Pasta When Microwaving
We often cook enough pasta at dinner for the week, which makes them the perfect lunch for work the following day.
To ensure your pasta does not end up hard and dry, start off by pouring about 1 tbs. of either olive oil or vegetable oil on top of your dish. Once you have done this, place your dish in the microwave for 35 seconds on high temperature or 1 minute on low temperate.
If you stored your pasta creation with the sauce already on it, be cautious when microwaving the dish uncovered, reheating sauce without a cover may cause splatter inside the microwave.
Add Water When Reheating Rice
Before you reheat a dish with rice in it, make sure to first add 1 tbs. of water in the dish and cover the dish with a damp paper towel. This will help to avoid loss of moisture. Afterward, set the cooking time for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds on high. If the dish is not warmed enough to your liking, place back in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds. It is important to reheat for less time, you can always cook a dish later on if needed.
Microwave Meat Evenly
When reheating a left-over dish containing any type of meat, be sure to spread the food equally throughout the dish so it cooks evenly without cold spots.
Start off heating the leftovers for 2 minutes on high in your microwave, allowing it to sit for at least 1 minute after. If you feel your meal still isn’t warm enough for your liking, reheat for an additional 30 seconds on high. Reheat meat for less time starting off to avoid unwanted chewy or tough textures.
Less is More with Baked Goods
There is no denying that desserts taste best right out of the oven. However, you can have your cake and eat it too the next day — by reheating it in your microwave for about 45 seconds on high.
If you leave your baked goods cooking in the microwave for an excessive amount of time, the heat could give them a leathery texture, so less is more! Start off with 45 seconds and continue to add time as needed until your dessert is just right for you.
