The Ultimate Guide On How To Reheat Ready Meals & Leftovers Like A Pro!

This may seem like an easy task to many people, but reheating ready-made meals is actually not so easy. The trick is knowing which reheating method works best for different types of meals and how to maximize nutrition, taste, texture, and food safety.

So here are some guidelines on how to preheat pre-made meals and leftovers like a pro, from setting the right temperature to choosing the right appliance for all food groups. We have got you covered!

1.     Tips to reheat pre-made meal and leftovers:

According to the USDA, foods that are cooked first and then cooled will be reheated to about 165 °F (or about 74 °C). However, if you have ordered vacuum packs, you can reheat them to at least 140°F (or 60°C).

Here are some quick wins:

-       Meals that are sealed need to be pierced: You can use a fork, knife, or whatever sharp and pointed you have. Don't open the door too loud or the hot energy will escape

-       Usually, 3 minutes in the microwave is a good starting point - triple if frozen: The reheating time will depend on the size, texture, ingredients, and of course whether you want the dish hot or just reheated.

-       Avoid putting metal objects in the microwave as it is a huge safety hazard.

2.     Choose The Best Heating Method:

The most important step to having great prepared meals is determining the best reheating method. An effective reheating strategy allows you to get the best out of your meals every time.

Either you pre-cook your meals at home, or you order ready-made diet meals delivered to your door - the best strategy is to reheat all foods the same way they are cooked in the first place. For example, if you bake lasagna in the oven, heat it the same way for a few minutes in the oven. This is the easiest method to remember!

In addition to this easy method, we have several other strategies for reheating your ready-to-eat meals! Here are a few described ways of reheating pre-cooked meals.

-       Toaster Oven:

A toaster oven is the best choice for reheating dry and crispy foods because it circulates warm air around each ingredient of the food and helps retain the original crispiness of the food. You can bake pizzas, burritos, crisps, tacos, seafood, quesadillas, toasted sandwiches, and other fried foods.

Pre-heating time is 5-10 minutes at a temperature of about 350 degrees.

-       Microwave:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), when microwave ovens are used correctly, your food is safe from radiation. However, get rid of any plastic before reheating ready-to-eat foods in the microwave. Another study published in the Center for Food Safety demonstrated that microwaved food offers the same safety and nutritional qualities as foods reheated/cooked in microwave ovens. other conventional methods. If you want to be more microwave-safe, try covering your food with a microwave-safe lid!

-       Stove:

Stoves have been used for centuries to cook and reheat ready-made meals. Most food items such as rice, curries, sauces, meats, pasta and stir-fries are prepared on the stove. Reheating the same prepared meal on the stovetop can bring back the original flavor, texture, and aroma. Sometimes you may need some water/oil/butter to control the humidity as the direct heat of the stove can sometimes cause the moisture to evaporate.

-       Oven:

Similar to the stove direction, anything cooked in the oven can easily be reheated in the oven. However, only foods that were prepared/cooked for the first time in the oven should be reheated. Foods that can be completely reheated in the oven are baked pasta, bread, meat, biscuits, pork belly, pizza, and more. The time it takes to reheat meal prep recipes oven is mostly 5–10 minutes. According to the USDA, set the oven to a minimum of 325°F (or about 165°C). However, keep checking the meal midway; Flip or stir if needed.

3.     Easy Guide To Reheat The Five Food Groups:

To wrap up your thoughts, we've listed some of the essentials and ways you can use to warm up the following five good groups.

-       Grains:

Ready-made cereals can come in many varieties, such as bread, cereal, rice, pasta, noodles, etc. If you want to heat rice and cereal, we recommend using a microwave. However, pasta, noodles or dishes covered with sauces or gravy can be reheated efficiently on the stove.

-       Fruits:

The fruit is mainly used fresh. However, you can make some fruit recipes, such as pies and fruitcakes. These food items can be reheated quite well in the oven. Make sure to wrap them with aluminum foil to prevent burns.

-       Vegetable:

Vegetables are versatile foods and can be used in a thousand ways. When reheating ready-made vegetables, first observe the type of food. If it's a liquid like soups and stews, use the stove. However, if the vegetables are dry, such as roasted or sautéed, use a toaster or oven.

-       Protein:

Lean meats, poultry, and seafood are the foods most prone to dehydration when reheated. You should use the oven or microwave while completely coating the protein.

-       Dairy products:

Dairy foods can be a bit tricky. According to the online college CDP, reheating milk can be risky because it can quickly grow harmful bacteria. However, if you heat milk properly, you will avoid bacteria by reaching higher temperatures for a longer period of time! Observe the type of food and use the appropriate reheating method.

Credit: Marvinsden