American-Chinese restaurants are very popular in the United States; they are practically everywhere! You may be familiar with typical Chinese dishes: orange chicken, Mongolian chicken, beef and broccoli, sweet and sour chicken, and more! That said, can you reheat your leftovers?
Chinese food is one of the best leftover foods as it is just as good the second time as the first time and quickly reheated! Have you ever wondered how to reheat your Chinese takeout leftovers safely? Look no further; you have found your answer. Reheating your Chinese leftovers by microwave, stovetop, or oven can smoothly be done in 1, 2, 3!
Is it Okay to Microwave Chinese Food?
As long as your Chinese has been stored correctly in the fridge or freezer, yes, you can microwave your Chinese food! Although it is more than possible, you may experience a change in texture where the breading or crispiness is soggy. There is nearly no reason that you are unable to reheat your Chinese food takeout in the microwave.
Most Chinese takeout food reheats very well in the microwave. There are a few Chinese dishes that heat exceptionally well in the microwave, like stews, soups, and stir-fries. You will have the best luck with these dishes, but that doesn’t mean all the other Chinese takeout foods will turn out bad!
Why Shouldn’t You Include Microwaving Chinese Food Containers
There are a few hazards to microwaving your Chinese food container, such as letting harmful chemicals seep into your food, causing illness. Toxic chemicals infecting your Chinese food is the number one cause for concern in reheating your Chinese food plastic containers. The plastic could easily melt into your food, resulting in an unpalatable meal. Do you want melted plastic in your Chinese food? Yuck!
A few other things could result from microwaving your plastic Chinese takeout container. Some things that could happen are giving your Chinese food an awful taste, soggy eggrolls, overcooked noodles, or hard rice.
How to Microwave Chinese Food Safely
There are a few main principles to microwaving your Chinese food safely and correctly. Number one, always keep your noodles and rice separate from your main meal. Having your noodles and rice combined with your main meal can cause uneven heating. No one wants hot rice and cold chicken!
Ensure you store your leftovers correctly to ensure a flawless heating up process in the microwave. Once your leftovers are cooled off, package them up and place them in the fridge or freezer for best results. If you believe you won’t be able to finish the leftovers within 24-48 hours, opt for the freezer.
Steps
Follow the following steps for an easy, effortless reheating process in the microwave:
- Add your Chinese leftovers onto a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Remember to keep the main course and the rice and noodles separate.
- Cover your Chinese leftovers with a paper towel.
- Place in the microwave.
- Reheat on medium power in 90-second intervals; if you are reheating meat, check the temp each time.
- Once your dish has reached at least 70°C or 165°F, it is safe to consume. Consuming improperly reheated meat can lead to food poisoning or illness.
- Serve and enjoy!
Reheating your Chinese takeout in the microwave is like shooting fish in a barrel.
What are Other Alternatives to Warm Up Chinese Food?
Although microwaving is your best reheating method for Chinese takeout food, there are a few other options for reheating your Chinese takeout. Let’s check them out!
Stovetop
Steps
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil.
- Once the pan is hot, add your Chinese takeout food.
- Heat your main meal for roughly 1-2 minutes longer than your rice and noodles.
- Allow your Chinese takeout food to simmer for approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
- Ensure you keep stirring well to prevent your Chinese from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Enjoy!
For best results, Chinese sauteed food and stir-fries should reheat in a shallow pan. Chinese meat from takeout food needs reheating in a cast iron skillet. Chinese takeout soups or stews need reheating in a pot or saucepan.
For Chinese soups and stews:
- Add your Chinese soup or stew to a pot or saucepan.
- Turn on the heat to low or medium.
- Cover the pot with a lid to trap any moisture.
- Heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
- Serve and enjoy!
Oven Steps
Reheating your Chinese food is really simple in the oven, although it is the longest reheating method. The method of reheating using the oven is the best reheating method for meats and seafood, as the gentle heat from the oven doesn’t overcook or dry out your meat.
The oven is most suitable for reheating foods like fried rice, orange chicken, Mongolian beef, spring rolls, or sweet and sour chicken. Follow the below steps to reheat using your oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C.
- Add your Chinese takeout, the main course first, into an oven-safe dish or container. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Place the oven-safe dish into the oven.
- Let simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until your food reaches 165°F or 75°C.
- Serve and enjoy!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, reheating your Chinese takeout food is super straightforward and easy! You can reheat your Chinese takeout food in multiple ways, such as in the microwave, oven, or stovetop. You better try them all and get back to us on that one! What method do you think works best?
