How to Microwave Leftovers (Without Destroying Them)
Updated: Jan. 31, 2024
Whether it's last night's steak or Sunday's quiche, we've found the best way to heat up your favorite meal one more time. These are our secrets to making the most of your microwave.
How many times have you popped your favorite leftover in the microwave, anticipating a fab do-over from last night’s dinner, only to wind up sad and disappointed? Dry, rubbery food makes for poor fodder, but these tricks will keep your meals tasting just like they did on Day 1.
Psst: Be sure to have a lid handy to keep moisture in and messes out.
Safety First!
Food that sits out on the counter for too long can start growing harmful bacteria, so fridge or freeze as soon as you can. (Find out how long leftovers keep here.) When you warm it up again, be sure to check the temperature. You’ll want to test it in a few places, because microwaves tend to leave cold spots. Be certain the thermometer reads 165º. An instant-read thermometer is perfect for this.
Rice and Grains
The trick to reheating rice is simple: Keep it moist. Rice and other grains like bulgur or quinoa dry out pretty easily. But when Grandma sends you home with her famous rice dish, be sure to take the time to stir a tablespoon or two of water into your leftovers. Then cover it with a loose-fitting lid and microwave at 80% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue heating in 30-second increments until your dish reaches a safe temp.
Steaks and Chops
If you’re grilling up one of our top 10 steak recipes, you’re going to want leftovers. Experts will tell you not to reheat these in the microwave, but truth be told, you can do this with success. As with rice, moisture is key. Community Cook Julie Herrera-Lemler swears by setting a small cup of water on the microwave carousel with her dish. Be sure to cover your meat loosely with wax paper or a reusable lid to keep all that yummy flavor in.
Burgers and Dogs
Nothing makes a better on-the-fly lunch than yesterday’s bacon-wrapped hot dog or a juicy burger. A quick zap is the best way to bring these barbecue favorites back to life. Community Cook Helen Nelander likes to use a damp paper towel to cover leftovers before microwaving to keep them moist. Then warm the grilled goodies in 30-second intervals on high until they’re heated through. Last, use the paper towel to swipe up any splatter inside the microwave.
Chicken
Microwaving chicken can be a tricky business. Reheat boneless, skinless chicken like you would steaks and chops, with a quick zap under wax paper. Alternately, skip the microwave and cube the cold chicken for a great (read: easy) salad. Reheating fried chicken is a challenge, though, and it rarely produces good results. Fortunately, if you make a recipe like our crispy fried chicken it’ll taste great cold, too!
Pizza, Pizza!
Reheating pizza in a microwave isn’t ideal under any circumstances but it IS quick. While we think cold pizza is the perfect breakfast (especially this pepperoni pizza), you might want yours warm. In that case, invest in a crisper pan that’s meant for the microwave oven. A pan like this one will set you back a few bucks ($43 to be exact), but who can really put a price on great pizza?
Eggs, Quiche and Breakfast Casseroles
Eggs are the perfect make-ahead breakfast treat. Whip up a big batch on the weekend (may we suggest these mini quiches?) and you’ve got an easy breakfast all week long. Eggs reheat very quickly because they’re full of moisture. Start by zapping for short 20-30 second increments to keep from overcooking them, and be sure to keep them covered so they don’t dry out.
Lasagna!
Lasagna is the king of comfort food and always tastes better the next day. Thankfully, reheating lasagna is a snap! Cut your portion into smaller pieces and place it on a microwave-safe dish, like glass. The big square sure is pretty, but small pieces heat more evenly in the microwave. Trying to heat it whole will produce hard, dry edges and a cold center. Add a splash of water to your dish (a tablespoon is more than enough). Then heat at 80% for 1 minute, stir and continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.
Day-Old Doughnuts and Sweet Rolls
We’ve all done it: left those doughnuts in the box overnight and the next day they’re a little, um, crunchy. No problem! Place your favorite fritter (or sweet roll) on a plate, cover with a damp paper towel and nuke it for 20 seconds. That sweet treat will be good as new. Be super careful with filled doughnuts, though. Hot jelly can cause a nasty burn and no one likes to start the day off like that.
Don’t have any sweet treats? No problem. We have dozens of ooey-gooey recipes to fix that dilemma.
This post is brought to you by Taste of Home editors, who aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We welcome your feedback. Have something you think we should know about? Submit your thoughts, here.
Originally Published: July 17, 2018
