How to Reheat Enchiladas Best 5 Ways in 2024
Enchiladas are often made ahead of time and reheated; this is especially helpful if you cater to a big group or party.
But if it is just for one or two people, these methods work great.
So you have some leftover enchiladas, here are the top 6 ways to get them back into shape.
You can reheat chicken enchilada or beef, vegetable to be just like the first time they were cooked, and if you top them with a little sour cream or enchilada sauce, nobody would know.
What is the best way to reheat enchiladas? – The best way to reheat enchiladas is in the oven at 340F (170C) for 20 minutes. The oven method works for beef enchiladas, shredded chicken, and all other styles.
Why Enchiladas Are Popular Prepare Ahead Party Food
Enchiladas Are Popular as Prepare Ahead Party Food because they are easy to reheat and serve fresh!
Different types of food can be hard to reheat well. You do not want your tacos, egg rolls, or french fires going soggy.
We show you the best methods to warm up any type of enchilada – even cheese enchilada, so they keep their texture and stay nice and juicy. Using these methods and tips, you can prepare lunch or dinner a few days in advance and have the perfect Mexican treat.
Likewise, if you plan a big group, you can prepare and reheat without having soggy enchiladas.
There are many different ways to reheat them, and we will take you through each method step by step.
Can You Make Enchiladas Ahead of Time?
Yes! In fact, it is a great idea if you have time on your hands because they can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container or freezer bag until ready to serve. Just make sure that when you do this, you don’t forget about them, as they tend to dry out quickly once removed from their packaging.
How to Reheat Enchiladas
The key here is that when you reheat enchiladas, you need to keep an eye on them, even more so with corn tortillas (or flour tortilla)
If you leave them too long, they’ll start to dry out and lose their flavor. But if you cook them just right, they should still taste great after being stored in the refrigerator.
How to Reheat Enchiladas in Oven
We’ve tried all sorts of ways to heat up enchiladas in our own kitchens over the years: microwave, broiler, slow cooker, etc. But nothing beats baking them and then topping them with red enchilada sauce.
This method works great with any kind of enchilada recipe — whether you’re cooking just plain old cheese enchiladas or anything else that calls for a rolled tortilla.
- You can use a casserole dish, or a foil container or put them on a baking dish or oven tray with a lip.
- Cover with aluminum foil
- Set the oven to 340F and wait till it reaches temperature
- Then put in the enchiladas for 20 minutes. You can use a probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the enchilada is 165F.
- Uncover the foil and back for a further 8 minutes or until the surface gets a little crunchy.
- You can add a little shredded cheese and a dusting of chili powder. You are ready to serve.
The good point about the oven method is you can use all the oven racks to reheat a large number of enchiladas, making this perfect for a party or big crowd.
How to Reheat Chicken Enchiladas 
Best way to reheat Enchilada in Microwave
How to Reheat Enchiladas in Microwave
How to Microwave Enchiladas
Microwaving works great for reheating frozen enchiladas too! Just remember that microwaves cook differently than conventional heat sources do.
- Start by placing the enchiladas on a microwave-safe plate.
- Use a sharp knife to make three or four holes in the top so inside steam can escape.
- For a very quick reheat you can slice the enchilada into 2 inch pieces.
- I cover them with a microwave safe top to stop them from splattering or if you heat them too much from exploding and making a mess on the microwave.
- Start by heating for 1 minute and test if the middle is hot. Use a probe thermometer to check the inside temp – it should be 165F
- If not ready, repeat in 30 second intervals until it reaches the food safe temp of 165F.
Each microwave is different so adjust cooking times accordingly. Finish with cheese and any remaining enchilada sauce.
How to Reheat Enchiladas in the Toaster Oven
Use a splatter guard on top of your plate which will also help trap some steam and keep your enchilada from drying out.
This method works well when you need to reheat just one portion of enchiladas.
- You simply place your enchiladas to be reheated on the toaster over tray, then into the toaster oven and cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes
- Check the inside temperature, turn the enchilada to the other side and bake for a further 5 minutes.
When cooking enchiladas this way, you might find that the bottom layer gets slightly crispy while the middle stays soft.
How to Reheat Enchiladas in Dutch Oven
- Preheat the dutch oven on medium-low. You do not want it too hot in the beginning.
- Wrap the enchiladas in aluminum foil.
- Place in the dutch oven for 10 minutes and then turn over.
- After another 10 minutes use tongs to take them out and unwrap from the foil
- Turn the heat up to medium high and we are now going to crisp up the outside
- Use a little cooking spray. Put the enchiladas back for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Now you have a choice on serving them crunchy or adding your homemade enchilada sauce or toppings
- Using the sauce method, Add 1 cup enchilada sauce to coat the bottom of the Dutch oven. You can also add a little cheese.
- Cook for another 5-8 minutes and your dish will be ready.
- Top with sour cream, cilantro, or salsa verde and you have a great piping hot recipe.
How to Reheat Enchiladas On Stove Top with a Skillet
- Set stovetop heat medium and heat the pan or skillet
- Place the leftover Enchilada (also see how to reheat a burrito) and place it on the skillet
- Then put a lid on top and heat for about 2-3 minutes.
- Then flip the leftover to the other side and continue for about 2 minutes.
- Check you have a hot inside and your shell will be crispy
- If not, continue the process until hot inside
This method will work with both flour tortilla and corn tortilla.
How to Reheat Frozen Enchiladas
Frozen enchiladas are simple to reheat. I find it is best to defrost or thaw them in the fridge overnight.
But you can also warm them up from frozen.
How to Reheat Frozen Enchiladas in Oven
- First, remove any plastic wrap or packaging material.
- Step 2 is to cover the rolled tortilla or enchilada with tin foil and heat the oven to 340F
- Bake for 30 minutes for a frozen enchilada – then unwrap from the foil and give a further 10 minutes; the result will be piping hot, crispy on the outside, yet warm and moist on the inside.
It is optional, but you can also improve the presentation and flavor by using fresh homemade enchilada sauce and cheese. You can even add a side of refried beans.
How long to reheat a frozen enchilada in the oven – Total time 40 minutes at 340F
How to Reheat Frozen Enchiladas in the Microwave
You can easily reheat frozen enchiladas in your microwave.
- To reheat straight from frozen, Simply place your frozen enchilada on a microwave-safe plate.
- Put a splatter guard on top and reheat for 2 minutes first
- Then using a fork or similar, put a few holes in the top of the enchilada.
- At this stage you could also slice the semi-soft enchilada into slices of 2-3 inches to help heat evenly – this is optional
- Continue the reheating process in 30 second increments until the enchilada is 165F inside.
This way will not really give you a crispy outside.
What is the fastest way to reheat frozen enchiladas – the faster way is in the microwave, most enchiladas can be ready from frozen in 4-6 minutes.