Do you have leftover seafood? Read my tips on how to reheat seafood properly.
Whether you dine at a seafood restaurant or you prepare a seafood meal at home, you’ll usually discover that there is a large amount that is made and served.
If you share the food with someone else, then you likely won’t need to save it for later. If you’re eating alone and you don’t want to finish your plate, then you can put it in the refrigerator and then reheat it the next day.
You don’t want to keep reheating seafood over and over again as it can cause the meat to dry out.
Some types of seafood will develop bacteria after a few days as well. Most types of seafood can safely be refrigerated for about four days after it’s prepared the first time.
Make sure the food is in a covered container so that it stays as fresh as possible.
Microwaving to Reheat Seafood
Even though using a microwave is the fastest way to reheat your seafood, it’s not always the best option to consider.
Since the appliance is small in size, the aromas from the seafood will circulate and tend to blend together, which can make your food taste a bit odd if there are a few different types of food that you’re heating.
One detail about how to reheat seafood in the microwave is that the exterior of your fish will usually get hotter much faster than the interior, which means that you might have a difficult time enjoying your food because of the tough outer layer.
Oven Heating
The oven is perhaps the best way to reheat seafood. You’ll get the crunchy exterior that you desire and the warm interior that is full of flavor.
Set the oven on a low temperature when reheating to prevent burning your food. A temperature of 275 to 300 degrees is a good place to start, turning the heat up a bit if your seafood isn’t getting as hot as you want. Spread the seafood out on a sheet pan so that it has a chance to bake evenly.
One way to add moisture to your seafood is to splash a small amount of water and lemon juice on it before it’s heated. It only takes about 15 minutes to reheat seafood since it’s already been cooked before.
New Creations to Reheat Seafood
Another way to reheat seafood is to make a different meal with what you have. You could make shrimp and grits with almost any kind of shrimp.
Add a different flavor to the dish by using shredded cheese or hot sauce. You can make gumbo using flounder, catfish, salmon, and similar types of seafood.
Other ideas include making dips and spreads, salads, and sandwiches that allow you to enjoy the seafood that you have but in a new way.