Do you love Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese food? If so, then we have the best way to reheat your favorite dishes. We have written down different ways to reheat Chinese food that will help keep all of those delicious flavors and aromas intact for a long time after cooking. They are also easy to follow.
But before that, we have to be knowledgeable enough about why reheating process plays an important role in food. Read more below.
How to Prevent Food Poisoning From Leftover Chinese Food
If you are planning on having leftover Chinese food at home, it is very likely that you might want to know how to prevent food poisoning from leftovers. It can happen when bacteria or viruses remain alive even though they were killed by heat during cooking. This happens because some foods like meat contain proteins which make them hardy against high temperatures. So if you do not cook these kinds of foods properly, there is a chance that they could still harbor harmful microorganisms. Here are simple ways in preventing food poisoning when cooking and storing leftovers:
1. Reheat thoroughly. Make sure that every part of the dish has been cooked well. The most common mistake people tend to commit is overcooking their food. When this occurs, the protein content remains unaltered, but the starch becomes mushy. In other words, the texture turns into something similar to glue. As such, it does not provide any protection against bacterial growth.
2. Ensure that everything inside the pot gets heated up until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Including leftover rice.
3. Use clean utensils. Bacteria thrive in dirty places. Therefore, always use clean ones whenever possible.
4. Avoid using plastic containers as they cannot withstand high temperatures. Instead, opt for glassware.
5. Keep hot food away from cold items. Cold things like ice cubes, water bottles, etc., may cause contamination. However, warm objects like plates, bowls, cups, etc., should never touch anything else.
6. Do not store food overnight. Even if you refrigerate it immediately after eating, it will take hours for its internal temperature to drop back to safe levels.
7. Cooked food must stay out of direct sunlight. Exposure to light causes deterioration of vitamins and nutrients present in vegetables.
8. Always wash hands with soap and running water right after handling raw meats.
9. Never reuse chopsticks. Once used, they become contaminated easily.
10. Do not forget to throw away old food packaging materials from leftovers. These materials often carry traces of chemicals that can harm our health.
If food poisoning happens, you will probably experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, loss of appetite, or sometimes fainting. These symptoms usually last anywhere between 12 hours to 3 days, depending on what kind of food was eaten. Avoid this by making sure every bit of food is heated to a food-safe temperature.
Other reheating food methods for other food types.
- How to Reheat Egg Rolls
- How to Reheat Corn Dogs
See our full list of how to reheat food.
Best Ways In Reheating Chinese Food
Got a bunch of leftovers from last night’s dinner at your favorite Chinese restaurant? Reheat them using either of the methods below.
How to Reheat Chinese Food in a Wok or Frying Pan
This method works best for dishes made stir-fried or crispy foods like meat and fish since the wok retains more moisture than an ordinary frying pan. Here are the steps to do it:
1. You will need a medium-sized skillet and a lid.
2. Heat oil over medium heat before adding your leftover.
3. Add the food except for the sauce (if there is) together in one layer.
4. Stir constantly so that each side can be reheated evenly to prevent uneven heating.
5. After about 5 minutes, remove from the pan. However, if the Chinese food leftover has sauce, add the sauce and continue stirring until the liquid evaporates completely.
6. Serve immediately.
How to Reheat Chinese Food in an Oven
If you have some Chinese food leftovers like dry rice, noodles, dumplings, fried chicken, steamed buns, or steamed vegetables, using an oven to reheat them is a perfect method to follow. Follow these instructions:
1. Preheat the oven with an internal temperature of 350°F/180°C.
2. Place the Chinese dishes in a baking tray or oven-safe container lined with aluminum foil.
3. Reheat for 1o to 15 minutes or until desired consistency is reached.
4. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Note: It is important that your baking tray should be clean. So, wipe it with a dry or damp paper towel to clean it.
How to Reheat Chinese Food in a Microwave
Microwaves work well when heating up small amounts of Chinese food meal such as individual servings of egg rolls, spring rolls, fried rice, egg drop soup, appetizers, and other snacks. This method also works great for reheating frozen meals. Just make sure that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed before microwaving. The following are the steps to follow:
1. Put the dish into a microwave-safe bowl or plate.
2. Make sure to spread the food evenly and cover it with a damp or wet paper towel. The dampness or wetness will create steam, which prevents your leftover foods from drying out.
3. Turn the power setting to medium-low heat or use the automatic reheating option.
4. Wait for at least 2 minutes, then check whether the food is heated through. If necessary, wait another minute.
5. Take off the cover and let it stand for 10 seconds.
6. Check again by touching the surface of the food. If still cold, repeat step 4.
How to Reheat Chinese Food in an Air fryer
Another way to reheat or keep the food warm is through an air fryer. This method will help bring back the crispy texture of fried foods, especially on egg rolls or sweet and sour chicken, without pouring another batch of oil into frying. Here are the steps on how to do it:
1. bring the food out in the fridge at room temperature.
2. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure it is warm enough before placing your Chinese food leftover.
3. Place and leave the food for 1 to 3 minutes.
4. When warm enough, transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately.
Related Questions
How long does Chinese food last?
Just like any other type of food leftover, Chinese food can only last at a maximum of five days. It can even go less than that if it is not stored properly and is exposed to bacteria. So, make sure to store your leftover in an airtight container or cover the dish with aluminum foil or a tight-fitting lid.
How to reheat general Tso chicken?
One of the best ways to reheat General Tso Chicken is to use a slow cooker. You just need to add one cup of water and cook over low heat for about 6 hours. Then, remove the lid and occasionally stir so that the sauce ingredients do not burn. Serve hot!
How to reheat wonton wrappers?
Wontons are usually served either deep-fried or boiled. However, they can easily be made soft and chewy by simply boiling them first. To reheat it, boil the wontons in salted water for 5 minutes. Drain and place them onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake them at 400°F for 8–10 minutes. They’re ready to eat after this time period.
How to reheat dumplings?
Dumpling recipes vary depending on what kind you want to prepare. For example, steamed dumplings require no cooking, while pan-fried ones may take longer to finish. In order to reheat them, put them in a pot filled with simmering water for 15 minutes. Remove them from the liquid and drain.
Can you heat up Chinese food the next day?
Yes, but there’s one thing you should know. Most dishes contain fresh ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables, etc. that have been cooked using high temperatures. As a result, these items tend to lose their fresh taste when leftovers are kept overnight. Therefore, we recommend storing Chinese leftovers within three days to prevent rubbery texture.
How to reheat Chinese stir-fry?
Stir-fries are generally prepared quickly because most of their components are already prepped. But, once you have finished eating, you will realize that many of the original flavor would disappear if you do not reheat them right away. The same goes for Chinese stir-frys. That is why it is important to remember to reheat them soon after finishing. There are two ways to reheat them:
1. Use a microwave oven. Put all the ingredients except the bowl of rice. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and then microwave it for 2-3 minutes. Stir well and continue microwaving for 30 seconds more. Repeat twice more.
2. Alternatively, you could also steam them instead. Simply pour boiling water into a wok or large pot and let it sit for 10 minutes. After which, turn off the stove and allow the mixture to cool down completely. Once cooled, transfer everything back to its original vessel.
Final Thoughts
Chinese cuisine has become very popular around the world due to its unique flavor combinations. And since it is easy to find different types of restaurants serving various kinds of cuisines, people now enjoy dining out often. This means that there are always plenty of leftover foods waiting to be eaten. If you do not plan ahead enough, however, you might end up wasting money and having unsatisfactory meals. Luckily, we have come up with the best reheating methods for your leftovers. Read them up and choose whichever can help you best!