How To Reheat Chinese Food In The Oven

One of the advantages of ordering Chinese take out is the leftovers, which can be reheated and eaten for lunch or dinner within the next few days. Reheating food so that it tastes as if it was fresh made can be tricky, as your meal can easily become overcooked or dried out, especially when using a conventional oven rather than a microwave. Take the time to reheat your Chinese food properly so that you'll have a moist, tender and delicious meal.

Step 1

Store your leftover Chinese food in airtight containers in the refrigerator within two hours of when it was delivered or brought home so that it will be safe to reheat at a later date; food left out for over two hours can attract bacteria and causing food-borne illnesses. Do not store the takeout in the cartons that it is delivered or served in, as they are not airtight.

Step 2

Remove the Chinese food from the refrigerator and allow it to warm to room temperature before cooking; it is easier to overcook cold food since it will take longer to warm up in the oven.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F while the Chinese food is being brought to room temperature.

Step 4

Place the food into a shallow pan or casserole dish; a shallow dish will allow the food to heat faster and warm more evenly than a dish that is narrow and deep. Cover the dish with either a lid or aluminum foil.

Step 5

Cook the food until it is hot and steamy throughout, including in the center of the dish. The time will vary depending on the amount of food that you are heating; check the food every five minutes, or so, to avoid overcooking. Serve immediately.