Whether you’re a person who likes to cook or someone who is devoted to takeout, you should know how to reheat properly so you can make the most of your second-day eats. Leftovers can be delicious, but the keyword is can. We're giving you the lowdown once and for all on how to avoid cold, soggy, old-tasting food. Follow our reheating guide to get every last bite of what’s in your fridge. Here's a hint: The microwave isn’t always your friend!
Pizza
The stove top. Yes, you heard us, on top of your stove. Of course a fancy pizza stone inside a hot oven works wonders, but who actually has one of those?
To reheat a slice of pizza on the stove, find a pan large enough for your slice to lay flat. A nonstick pan works best here since the cheese can sometimes make a mess, but regular pans and cast iron pans work as well.
Place the slice in the pan cheese side up (duh!), put a lid or piece of aluminum foil over the pan, and turn the stove on to medium heat. Allow the pizza to re-heat for six minutes. The bottom of your pizza slice should be crispy, and the cheese on top should be melted. A thicker, Sicilian-style slice may take a few minutes more.
Photographed by Sara Haile.
Pasta
Leftover pasta with no sauce:
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Place pasta inside a strainer that is small enough to fit into your pot of water. Dip the strainer full of pasta into the water for 30 seconds. Drain well and serve with desired sauce.
Pasta with sauce:
Place pasta on a microwave-safe dish and make a well in the center. The hole in the center of the pasta mound will allow more air to circulate and prevent cold spots. Set the microwave to 50% power and cook for three to four minutes depending on the size of the serving. A full power microwave will most likely turn your pasta to mush.
Lasagna or layered pastas:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place lasagna in an oven-safe baking dish and use a fork to evenly poke holes all the way through the lasagna noodles. Carefully fill these holes with a couple tablespoons of water. Cover the dish with foil, tightly sealing the edges, and then bake the lasagna for 20 minutes or until it is warmed all the way through.
Photographed by Eric Helgas.
Coffee & Tea
Microwave your beverage in a mug instead of reheating it in a pot. Metal often imparts a strange flavor to coffee or tea, so a ceramic mug is best.
Photographed by Atisha Paulson.
Rice
Put the rice in a microwave-safe bowl or container. Then, place a small ice cube in the center of the rice in the bowl. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and add three or four small punctures in the plastic to allow steam to escape keeping control of the cooking process. Place the covered bowl in the microwave and reheat the rice on high. It should only take about 90 seconds for each cup of rice to heat up properly. Fluff rice before serving.
Photo: Getty Images.
Baked Goods
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Put your cold loaf or muffins on a tray and cover with tinfoil . Heat in the oven for 15 minutes, then uncover and heat for another three to five minutes.
Photographed by Jackie Alpers.
Beef, Pork & Poultry
Meats will never taste the same as when they are freshly cooked but this method will ensure you aren’t eating rubber. Always bring the meat to room temperature first.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 250 degrees. Place meat inside an aluminum foil pouch with a tablespoon of water. Heat for about 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees for larger pieces of meat (this won’t apply to sliced meat, obviously).
Photographed by Ben Ritter.
Fish
It’s never a good idea to reheat fish. The flavor and texture just don't come out appealing. But all is not lost! Firm fish like salmon can be eaten cold, flaked over a salad.
Photographed by Janelle Jones.
Soups & Stews
Place leftovers into a pot over medium heat. Resist the urge to crank the fire to high. Stir frequently, cooking it slow and steady to minimize evaporation.
Photographed by Janelle Jones.
Eggs
You shouldn't really reheat eggs, but if you absolutely must, the rule of thumb is to use low heat for a short period of time, such as 20 seconds in the microwave on low for scrambled eggs or omelets. Quiche can be reheated by wrapping it in foil and warming it in the oven (or toaster oven) at about 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
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