Do you have a microwave in your home? If you are here reading this I am guessing you either don’t or maybe your microwave is broken you need some bit of help. Or perhaps you need a little reassurance that you don’t actually need another appliance in your kitchen.
We are currently a no-microwave household. When we lived in town we had a microwave. Once we decided that we were going to move out of town, we ended up living in our holiday trailer here on the farm for a few weeks, without power. And I needed to figure out how to heat up our leftovers.
Next, we moved into our shop while we built our house. In the name of saving space, we got by with less. And once it came time to move into our current home, I just didn’t want to take up counter space with a microwave. Especially considering I had everything I needed to get by without one.
Living without a microwave is possible. This article will cover 2 main methods of reheating food, the stove-top method and the oven method. Then I have a couple of extra ideas at the end.
Stovetop Reheating: Quick and Effective
Skillet Method (Best for meats, pasta, rice, and stir-fries)
You are going to use a pan that is big enough to hold everything you need to reheat. Something with low sides like a cast iron or stainless steel skillet. Put the pan on the stove over medium heat. Add a little bit of water to the bottom of the pan. Once the water comes up to a simmer, add your leftovers to the pan. Stir the leftovers and make sure they are evenly spread out. Add a lid to cover until the food is warm, stirring occasionally. If your food starts to stick, you can add a little butter or olive oil to help prevent that.
Steam Method (Best for rice, vegetables, and dumplings)
Steaming is a gentle way of reheating food that you don’t want to dry out. You need a high-sided pot or pan and a steamer basket. Put a few centimetres of water in the bottom of the pan. Add the steamer basket and place over medium/medium-high heat. Add the food to the steamer basket and cover with a lid. Once the water comes to a boil, and you see steam, turn the heat down to maintain a simmer. Leave the food covered until warm.
Oven Reheating: Even Heat for Large or Baked Dishes
Baking Sheet Method (Best for pizza, roasted meats, and vegetables)
Set oven to 300–350°F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange food in a single layer on the baking sheet. Put the baking sheet in the oven until the food is warm. A good indication that your food is almost ready is when you start to smell it. Reheating food in the oven helps food crisp up rather than becoming soggy.
Covered Dish Method (Best for casseroles, stews, and baked pasta)
The covered dish method is better for food dishes that are a little more dense and will take longer to heat up. Set over to a lower temperature, around 300 F. Use an oven-safe dish with a lid (or parchment covered in tin foil). If you are reheating a casserole or baked pasta dish, add a little bit of water to the empty space in the dish before you cover it. Place the dish in the oven and check occasionally until warm. Being able to smell the food is a good indication that it is almost ready.
Alternative Methods for Reheating Without a Microwave
Slow Cooker (Perfect for soups, stews, and casseroles)
The slower cooker is great for a hands-off approach. It does take a little bit longer than some of the other methods, but if you like the idea of not having to keep an eye on your leftovers as they reheat, this is the method for you.
Add your leftovers to the slow cooker insert. If you are reheating a roast, or a casserole, add some liquid to the bottom of the dish to help prevent things from drying out. If you are reheating a soup or stew, you can just add the leftovers to the dish alone.
Cover the slow cooker insert with the lid and turn onto low. Your food is ready when it is hot, and bubbly and you can smell it. Now you can go about your day knowing that you will have a warm meal just waiting for you back in the kitchen.
Reheating Beverages
Don’t let that cup of coffee (tea or hot chocolate) go to waste. Heating up your leftover beverages is as simple as adding them to a pot and bringing them up to a simmer on the stove. If you add milk or cream to your coffee, give it a little whisk while it is reheating to make it frothy. Yum!
Boiling Water Method
Pouring boiling water over cold plain pasta is a great way to heat any leftovers to be used in another meal. Simply add the pasta to a heat-proof dish and cover it with water from a recently boiled kettle. Your pasta will be rewarded in a few minutes and ready to add to a sauce of your choice.
Tips for Keeping Food Moist and Flavorful
Be sure to add a splash of water, broth, or milk to the pan when reheating to prevent the food from drying out.
Cover the food when necessary to trap steam and heat in the pan to help retain moisture.
Stir your leftovers occasionally for even heating and to prevent scorching.
If you are new to the idea of reheating your food without a microwave, I would encourage you to try different ways to reheat your food. You will most likely find a preferred method pretty quickly.
Remember that taking a little extra time to reheat food properly improves taste and texture, thus greatly improving your enjoyment of your leftovers. You worked hard to cook that meal, don’t let the leftovers to go waste.
What’s your favourite way to reheat leftovers? Please drop a comment below and let me know.
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