TUCKING into a Chinese takeaway can be the perfect treat when you don’t feel like cooking.
But like many, you may be left wondering if you can reheat the leftover dishes from the previous night.
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Can you reheat Chinese takeaway?
The good news is you can reheat Chinese takeaway – however there are some steps that need to be followed to ensure it’s safe, and of course delicious.
You can make your takeaway taste and look just as good as when you bought it the day before, as long as you know how to store and reheat it correctly.
The first step is to store any leftovers promptly and correctly in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking to slow down bacterial growth.
For example, rice will needed to be prepped for leftovers quickly.
You should make sure you cool and refrigerate the rice promptly if you are wanting to save it.
This prevents any harmful bacteria from being able to multiply.
If your leftovers are larger portions, it is recommended to divide the food into smaller containers to ensure even cooling.
Your food can kept for three to four days if you stored correctly – however, it is important to note that the quality of your meal may decrease over time.
Chinese takeaways are hugely popular in the UK so it comes as no surprise that there are many people questioning whether their leftovers can be reheated.
They are so popular that in June 2023, England’s first-ever Chinese drive-thru opened.
What is the best way to reheat Chinese takeaway?
There are a number of ways you can reheat your Chinese takeaway.
Whichever method you use, it’s important to ensure you reheat leftover Chinese food to a temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) – this will make sure any bacteria present is killed.
You can use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
One of the best ways to reheat your Chinese food is in a pan or a wok.
This method is particularly great for reheating left over rice.
All you need is a wok or a large pan, a splash of oil or water and a moderate amount of heat.
A dash of soy sauce could also be added for extra flavour.
Around one million people in the UK have food poisoning each year and not reheating rice properly can cause a particularly nasty bug – so you want to make sure it is done correctly.
Another way to keep your Chinese food as edible as the night before is by using the oven.
Ovens are especially good if you’re reheating anything crispy, as other methods won’t do as good of a job of keeping the texture.
After preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the food in an oven-safe dish and reheat until it reaches the desired temperature.
If you’re reheating chicken wings or rolls make sure to wrap them individually, before placing them on a dish.
Microwaves can also be used for food such as soups, noodles, vegetables and stews.
Similarly, the steaming method can be used for dumplings, buns, or other steamed dishes.
How many times can you reheat Chinese takeaway?
It is advised that a meal is not reheated more than once.
This is due to the fact that each time you let the food cool down, bacteria will begin to multiply.
This means that the food has increased risk of potential food poisoning each time you reheat.
To avoid this, only reheat the food you intend to consume, while keeping the rest stored safely and correctly in the refrigerator.
Here we also explain the best way to reheat McDonald’s.
Similarly, if you’re wondering if you can reheat KFC, we have everything you need to know.
