We all know that reheating leftovers is a great way to enjoy a second meal quickly and easily, but a lot of us find out the hard way that some foods don’t handle the process too well. Some might just lose their texture but others can become unsafe to eat at all. To help you stay safe and well-fed, let’s take a look at some foods you should think twice about before popping them in the microwave.
Rice
As you may have heard, reheated rice can pose a pretty serious health risk if it hasn’t been stored properly. If it’s been left at room temperature for too long, rice can develop bacteria like Bacillus cereus, which may survive even after reheating and give you a gnarly case of stomach ache or even food poisoning.
It’s important to make sure any leftover rice is refrigerated quickly and eaten cold or within a day to avoid this.
Potatoes
While potatoes might seem harmless enough, this can all change if you store and reheat them the wrong way. When they’re not stored correctly, this can lead to the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, especially when they’re wrapped in foil and left out.
Eating reheated potatoes can sometimes cause foodborne illness, so it’s safer to consume them freshly cooked, or cold if you’re sure you’ve stored them correctly.
Eggs
Ever tried to pop scrambled or boiled eggs in the microwave? If so, you’ll know that they can become very rubbery and lose their flavor, which makes them pretty gross to a lot of people. But the worst part of doing this is the fact that it can increase the risk of bacterial growth, particularly if they haven’t been stored properly.
Chicken
Contrary to what you might think, reheated chicken doesn’t just dry out—it can also lead to digestive issues if it’s not heated evenly. The protein structure in chicken goes through significant changes when it’s reheated, which can make it harder for your stomach to process. If you really need to reheat chicken for whatever reason, make sure it’s piping hot throughout, or better yet, eat it cold in a salad or sandwich.
Fish
If you’ve ever tried reheating fish, you’ll know that it can leave you with a strong smell and an unpleasant taste. Certain types of fish, like salmon, can dry out very quickly when reheated, while others may retain their moisture but develop off-flavors. If you have leftover fish, it’s best eaten cold or added to salads and spreads instead of going in the microwave.
Shellfish
Similarly to fish, shrimp, scallops, and other shellfish don’t handle reheating too well. The process can make them rubbery and unappetizing while also increasing the risk of bacterial growth if you didn’t store them the right way. It’s better to eat leftover shellfish cold, perhaps in a salad or seafood cocktail.
Mushrooms
Believe it or not, mushrooms are one of the most sensitive foods to the reheating process. This is because of the combination of their high protein and water content. Reheating can lead to texture changes and potentially harmful bacteria if the mushrooms aren’t cooled and stored correctly. If you want to avoid these risks, eat your leftover mushrooms cold or toss them into a fresh dish.
Spinach
Most of the time reheating spinach won’t lead to huge health risks, but it can actually cause nitrates in the leaves to convert into harmful compounds. The risk is low, but it’s still a concern for some, and the reheating process can make your spinach pretty unpalatable anyway. Instead of reheating, it’s a better idea to use leftover spinach in smoothies, salads, or as a topping for sandwiches.
Pasta with Cream Sauce
If you’ve ever noticed that your delicious creamy pasta dishes turn into a greasy disgusting mess once reheated, you’re not alone. The reheating process tends to separate everything out, and the sauce often loses its original texture and flavor, making the dish far less enjoyable the second time around.
If you’re trying to make the most of your leftovers, enjoy them cold as a pasta salad, or try reheating them gently with a splash of milk or cream.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are great because of their crispy texture, and sadly that goes away when they’re reheated. Favorites like fried chicken, tempura, or fries will often turn into soggy, mushy shells of what they once were. If you’re craving leftovers, consider eating them cold or reheating them in an oven or air fryer instead.
Pizza
I know pizza seems like the ultimate leftovers food, but reheating can often leave it with a rubbery crust and unevenly melted toppings. Microwaving is the main culprit here because it has a bad habit of ruining the texture. But the good news is you can get much better results if you use a skillet or oven to bring back some of its original glory.
Soups with Cream or Milk
Like creamy pasta, soups made with cream or milk, such as chowders or bisques, tend to curdle or separate when reheated. The reheating process can have a big impact on their consistency and make them far less appetizing. If you have leftovers, warm them gently over low heat while stirring constantly, or enjoy them cold.
Bread
If you’ve ever made the mistake of reheating bread in the microwave, you might be familiar with the chewy and tough texture it takes on. If you want to warm up bread, it’s better to stick to the oven or toaster. Otherwise, you can eat leftover bread at room temperature or use it for making breadcrumbs or croutons.
Leafy Greens in Dishes
It’s great if you have some of those healthy leafy greens in your leftovers, but unfortunately, they don’t hold up well to the reheating process. Foods like kale, Swiss chard, or collards can develop an unappealing texture when put in the microwave. Instead, consider adding them to a fresh dish or eating them cold as part of a salad.
Pot Pies
Pot pies are delicious but very filling, so it makes sense why they often end up getting eaten the next day as leftovers. But sadly, they often lose their flaky crust and creamy filling texture when reheated. The crust tends to get soggy, and the filling can separate, making the dish less enjoyable.
Sushi
One thing you should definitely not reheat is sushi, especially for rolls with raw fish. The texture and flavor of raw fish degrade quickly after it’s been prepared, and reheating really won’t improve things. If you have leftover sushi, eat it cold within 24 hours and you’ll avoid any food safety risks.
Beans
Refried beans may be a delicious ingredient, but reheated beans… not so much. When microwaves, they can lose their creamy texture and develop an odd flavor. Some types, like kidney beans, may even become harder to digest if you don’t reheat them the right way. If you have leftover beans, consider using them cold in salads or spreads instead.
Oily Foods
Oil and microwave heat really don’t mix well, which is why foods with a high oil content shouldn’t be reheated. Things like greasy stir-fries or fried rice can become overly heavy and unappetizing because the oils can separate and create a soggy texture.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
If you’re thinking of reheating that hard-boiled egg from yesterday’s dinner, you might want to think again. The microwaving process can make them rubbery and create a sulfur-like smell that’s anything but appetizing. Since they’re already cooked, it’s best to eat them cold in salads, sandwiches, or as a quick snack. They’ll taste better and won’t have that odd texture that comes with reheating.
Soft Cheeses
It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t love the soft, creamy taste and texture of cheeses like brie, camembert, or cream cheese. But unfortunately, they don’t hold up well when it comes to the microwaving process. The texture often becomes grainy or oily, and the flavor can change significantly.
If you have leftovers, it’s best to enjoy these cheeses at room temperature or in a fresh dish where their texture won’t be as noticeable.