What Foods can be Reheated? (2024)

Yes, surprisingly, you can reheat an omelette. Although, do not expect it to be the same as when it is fresh. If you have any fillings in your omelette, such as vegetables, these can make it soggy as they release liquid during storage in the fridge. The texture of the eggs may also change, and the omelette may break during reheating. It is always best to enjoy an omelette fresh where possible and even cold with a salad.

If, for whatever reason, you need to chill your cooked omelette, you should do this within two hours of cooking and consume it within two days. The best way to reheat an omelette is in the microwave, but you can also use the oven, hob or grill. Be careful of overheating it, as it can become rubbery, but always ensure it is piping hot.

As a general rule, reheating vegetables should be pretty easy and straightforward – however, there are many different vegetables, and some reheat better than others. Vegetables such as beetroot, for example, don’t reheat well as they lose their appealing taste and texture, and so are best served cold the second time around.

When reheating vegetables in the microwave it is best to do so in a small amount of water to help them maintain their juices. However, if you are reheating roasted vegetables this is best done in the oven.

Yes, but store the rice correctly before reheating to prevent food poisoning. If cooked rice has been sitting at room temperature,Bacillus cereusbacteria can grow from heat-resistant spores and produce toxins. The longer the rice is at room temperature, the higher the risk of food poisoning, even if it is put in the fridge and then reheated.

It is always best to eat rice dishes soon after cooking. If rice is not served immediately, it should be chilled quickly and where possible within one hour of cooking. Do not keep rice in the fridge for more than one day, and when reheating, you should check it is piping hot all the way through. Never reheat any rice dishes more than once.

Yes, as with most starchy foods, pasta can be reheated, so long as it was cooled and stored immediately in an airtight container in the fridge on initial cooking. Pasta must be piping hot throughout before consuming.

Pasta is a starchy food, and it can stick together after cooking if there is not enough moisture. If the pasta has been cooked without a sauce, you should add a splash of water to it before reheating to stop it from sticking and breaking. You can also add it to dishes, such as pasta bakes.

Yes, it is safe to reheat potatoes. However, they must be stored properly after initial cooking. If they are not, it can result in the growth of a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum, which can cause a fatal disease, botulism. Cooked potatoes must never be wrapped in foil, as this can provide the ideal conditions for the bacteria to grow.

Always store potatoes in the fridge in an airtight container within one hour of cooking. How long you can keep your potatoes in the fridge will depend on the type and any other ingredients in the dish. Always use potatoes within 3-5 days and reduce this for other added ingredients where necessary, e.g. meat and fish.

There are so many different types of potato dishes, and the best method for reheating will depend on what you want to reheat. When reheating roasted or other crispy style potatoes, such as chips, it is recommended that you avoid the microwave method, as this can cause the potatoes to become soggy. They are better heated in the oven, pan or grill. The microwave method is better for mash, boiled and jacket potatoes.

Where possible, always consume your potatoes and potato dishes fresh. If you do reheat, only do so once and ensure it is piping hot all the way through.

Yes, but reheating will affect the food quality, as the rice absorbs moisture and can become dry and sticky. The rice will also become softer and will not have the same texture as fresh risotto.

Add extra liquid (e.g. stock or wine) and butter to the risotto before reheating to prevent it from drying out. You may need to add more during the reheating process.

Risotto can be reheated in the microwave, oven or a pan on the hob. It is easier and quicker to heat the risotto in the microwave on medium for approximately five minutes or until it is hot all the way through. Be careful if you decide to reheat in the oven, as this can burn the outer edges of the dish, and the rice will become hard.

Remember to stir the dish to ensure it does not stick to the pan/container, but not too much.

Yes, it is perfectly safe to reheat couscous. However, like pasta and rice, couscous is a starchy food and can stick together and become dry. It can also contain Bacillus cereus (see ‘Can you reheat rice?’). Therefore, it is essential to cook and store it safely before reheating. Only ever reheat couscous once.

To reheat couscous, and prevent it from drying out, increase the moisture by adding a few tablespoons of water and a bit of butter to the dish. For speed, you can put the couscous in a microwaveable container, add the liquid and butter, and microwave on a medium heat. Separate the couscous grains by using a fork and serve piping hot.

Yes, it is safe to reheat most types of noodles. However, the problem is that, like all starchy foods, they can absorb moisture and dry out. They can also stick together and break.

Add some liquid to your noodles before reheating in the microwave or a pan on the hob. Even a drop of oil or a knob of butter can stop the noodles from sticking together when reheating. If your noodles are plain, you can use them in a stir fry with a cooking sauce or reheat them in a pan of boiling water for up to 45 seconds.

Noodles should only be reheated once and consumed within three days.

Yes, whether they are oven or fried, chips can safely be reheated. It is not recommended reheating chips in the microwave, as they can become soggy and inedible due to the moisture in potatoes that cannot escape.

It is important to chill your chips quickly after initial cooking. They should be kept in the fridge, loosely covered, and used within two days.

The best way to reheat chips is in the oven, as the oil will help them stay crispy. Use a piece of kitchen towel to pat them dry before reheating. Put the chips on a baking tray in a single layer and reheat in a hot oven for a few minutes. You shouldn’t need to add any additional oil, as the chips will contain oil from previous cooking. Alternatively, you can deep fry or put them in a frying pan on the hob.

Yes, but it is essential that it is prepared, cooked, stored and reheated safely. The reason is that most paella dishes contain high-risk ingredients, such as rice, seafood and even meat. See sections on reheating rice, fish and meat.

If you have leftover paella, you can choose to reheat it in the oven, microwave or on the hob in a frying pan. The best method is on the hob and frying the paella in some olive oil on a medium heat until it is piping hot.

Even though you can reheat paella in the microwave, it is not the best method, as it can result in the rice sticking together and affects the structure of the dish. If you do use a microwave, add some olive oil and cover. Ensure the microwave is on medium heat and reheat for two minutes. Check the paella every 30 seconds and stir.