As much as people talk down on leftover food, it is always better to have some than not. It provides us with a quick meal when we’re busy and, more often than not, tastes great. Still, not all leftover food should be approached in the same way, at least not when it comes to reheating.
Some leftover foods don’t handle reheating well and lose their texture or taste, while others can make you sick when reheated. Continue reading to check out four leftover foods you shouldn’t reheat.
Leftover Steak
The steak is at its best when it’s freshly cooked and rested for several minutes. However, if you are left with some and later decide to reheat it, you are in for a disappointment. When stored in the fridge, the muscle fiber will contract, and no amount of reheating will cure the resulting toughness and dryness.
Leftover Rice
Reheating leftover rice is a big no-no. Actually, if you have leftover rice, you should throw it away. When sitting at room temperature, rice becomes susceptible to the development of bacteria known as Bacillus cereus. These bacteria won’t go away if you refrigerate the rice or reheat it and can cause food poisoning.
Leftover Eggs
Leftover eggs will have a rubbery and unsatisfying texture when reheated, so you are better off cooking them fresh. Additionally, if you overheat them, there is a chance of them spoiling enough to make you sick.
Leftover Mushrooms
Leftover mushrooms will deteriorate quite fast and become a welcoming ground for all sorts of bacteria. You shouldn’t risk eating them at a later date even if you have stored them in a fridge right after the meal.