Reheating your meat is a way to get another meal or snack out of your leftovers. However, before reheating your meat, ensure that it has not been exposed or left out for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Meat left out at room temperature for longer than the aforementioned times produces bacteria that you cannot kill via reheating. Discard any meat left out for extended periods and do not attempt to reheat it.
Microwave
Step 1
Place the meat in a microwave-safe dish.
Step 2
Add a few teaspoons of broth or water to the dish to help the meat stay moist.
Step 3
Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic or a lid. The plastic should not touch the meat and you should leave one corner of either the lid or plastic open to allow steam to vent.
Step 4
Reheat the meat on high power until its middle steams.
Step 5
Use a meat thermometer to test the meat for an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oven
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Spread your meat onto the baking pan in a single layer. Cut the meat into smaller portions or slices if necessary. Thinner pieces reheat faster without overcooking.
Step 3
Add 1 cup broth to the pan to keep the meat moist. If you would like to use the pan sauce or gravy prepared with your meat dish, bring it to a rolling boil in a small pot for two minutes before pouring it over the meat.
Step 4
Place a layer of foil over the meat.
Step 5
Cook the meat in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips and Warnings
- Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight. Cooking times vary based on the individual capacity of your microwave or oven and the thickness of the meat. Cool the meat for at least two minutes before serving. Reheat all refrigerated meat within a three- to four-day range. Reheat frozen meat within one to six months, depending on the type of meat and how you prepared it. For example, cooked chicken patties last up to three months in the freezer, but chicken stored in broth or gravy lasts up to six months.
- Do not reheat meat in the container used to store it.
References
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Lancaster: Will Reheating Food Make It Safe if You Forget to Refrigerate It?
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Kitchen Companion Your Safe Food Handbook
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Microwave Ovens and Food Safety
- cdkitchen; Cooking in a Flash: How to Reheat Food Without Overcooking; Lauren Braun Costello; June 1, 2005
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