Reheating leftovers can save you time and money. However, some foods can lose their flavor, change their texture, or even become unsafe to eat after the process. In our list, we talk about a few of such foods that you should avoid reheating in the microwave or oven.
Chicken
You should avoid reheating chicken, as it can cause the proteins to break down differently, which affects the texture of the meat. Chicken can become rubbery and lose its taste when reheated. Try eating your leftover chicken cold instead, for example in sandwiches or cold salads.
Rice
If you reheat rice incorrectly, it can lead to food poisoning. Rice can carry a bacteria called Bacillus cereus, and according to Live Science, “reheating it doesn’t get rid of the toxins the bacteria have already produced” when the rice has been left out. That sounds cereus! (get it?)
Potatoes
Reheating potatoes can be pretty dangerous too! There’s a risk of contracting a rare illness called Botulism, especially when reheating foil-wrapped baked potatoes. Who knew carbs were out to get us in more than one way? Best to stick to using leftover potatoes in salads or cold dishes.
Eggs
It’s recommended to eat eggs when they’re freshly cooked to enjoy the best taste and texture. Reheated eggs can turn rubbery and release unpleasant smells. Nobody wants to eat smelly eggs! High temperatures can even make your reheated eggs toxic.
Mushrooms
Like chicken, the protein structure of mushrooms changes when reheated; this can make them difficult and painful to digest. Leftover mushrooms should be stored in the refrigerator immediately after cooking, and should ideally be eaten cold. Yet another reason to eat salads!
Seafood
It’s widely known that seafood goes off quickly and that bacteria can grow especially fast on different types of seafood. If that isn’t enough to convince you not to reheat seafood, then how about the fact that reheating can also make seafood tough and smelly? Gross!
Beetroot
When reheating beetroot, nitrates can “potentially convert into the nitrosamines that have carcinogenic effects,” says the National Institutes of Health. It’s too sciency for most of us, but I’d trust the experts! Beetroot should be refrigerated and consumed within a day or two, and leftover beetroot should be eaten cold.
Celery
Celery also contains nitrates, which can turn into harmful nitrites when reheated. Celery is often used in soups and stocks, so these should not be reheated either. It is best to enjoy celery fresh or use leftovers in cold dishes.
Spinach
More evil nitrites! Spinach is yet another vegetable that contains nitrates that can convert into nitrosamines when reheated. Reheating spinach can also reduce its nutritional value. Like the previous vegetables, it is ideal to eat spinach fresh and use any leftovers in cold salads.
Turnips
You should avoid reheating turnips, as it causes the texture to change and the turnips to become overly soft. There are also similar issues as with the beets and celery (I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about nitrates and nitrites by now!)
Pork
It isn’t a good idea to reheat pork, as it will make it tough and dry, and there’s nothing worse than chewy, dry meat! To use your leftover pork without making it less enjoyable, stick to eating it cold in sandwiches or salads.
Broccoli
Broccoli can turn bitter when it’s reheated. Also, heat can significantly reduce the vitamin C content of broccoli. According to Verywell Health, “to get the most nutrients from broccoli, eat it raw or lightly cooked.” At the end of the day, the vitamins and nutrients are the whole reason we eat vegetables!
Fried Foods
Reheating fried food can lead to it losing its crispy texture and becoming soggy. If you really don’t want to waste your leftover fried food, reheat it in an oven or air fryer instead of a microwave, to maintain a bit of crispiness.
Garlic
Chemical changes can happen when reheating garlic, making it turn bitter and lose its sharp flavor. In some cases, reheating garlic can even lead to toxicity! To get the best out of your garlic, use it fresh or add it at the end of cooking.
Pizza
When leftover pizza is reheated in the microwave, the base turns soggy. It is better to reheat pizza in an oven or skillet to keep it crispy. However, if reheating isn’t an option at all, just enjoy it cold!
Pasta
The texture of your leftover pasta can become firm and unpleasant when it’s reheated. One useful trick to improve the texture is to splash your pasta with some water or sauce before you reheat it.
Oily Dishes
If you reheat leftover oily dishes, they will lose their flavor and quality, as oils can become rancid when reheated. Science Direct points out that some reheated oils can even release harmful compounds that could cause health issues such as cancer.
Green Beans
You should avoid reheating green beans because they can lose some of their nutrients. They can also turn mushy and lose their vibrant green color. But if you’re a big fan of mushy peas, maybe mushy beans wouldn’t be the end of the world for you.
Lasagna
Reheating your lasagna in the microwave could result in it having hot edges but being cold in the middle. The pasta can also end up too soft and the cheese can become oily. It all sounds like a bit of a mess!
Creamy Soups and Sauces
It would be a mistake to reheat creamy soups or sauces because of the dairy products they contain. Dairy can separate and curdle when it’s reheated, making it taste stale and ‘off’. Definitely enjoy anything creamy when it’s fresh and avoid reheating.
