Eating leftovers is a tried-and-true way to save money on groceries. We waste so much food that would be delightful with a simple reheat or mixed into a new dish.
But before popping it into the microwave, remember that not everything reheats well. Some things make nasty (or sickening!) leftovers!
Foods You Should Never Reheat
First, we’ll highlight the top foods you should never reheat, either because they’re susceptible to food-borne illnesses, stink up the place, or are just plain nasty the next day.
Fast Food
Our taste buds crave hot fast food like McDonald’s. When served fresh, it hits the spot. But have you ever tried reheating a fast-food cheeseburger or fries?
It never tastes the same; the fries are mealy, the burger melts, and we often wonder if it was ever really tasty, or if we were just hungry.
French Fries
Hot French fries straight out of the fryer are divine! But if you wait too long to eat them, they get stale and mushy.
Although you should never reheat fries in the microwave, an air fryer can help them return to their delicious glory.
Green Bean Casserole
The iconic Thanksgiving dish is one of the few that’s not ideal for leftovers. The crispy onion topping turns soggy, destroying any goodness in the original dish.
I think green bean casserole is an outlier. It’s just as disgusting fresh as reheated.
Mushrooms
One of the reasons you should never reheat green bean casserole is that it’s filled with another food you should never reheat: mushrooms.
Reheating the fungi breaks down their proteins, destroying their nutritional value. Stored, cooked mushrooms are also susceptible to bacterial growth, which you might not kill on a simple reheat.
Toast
We don’t know why you’d want to reheat toast, but we’re telling you that you shouldn’t. Fresh toast is delightful – it’s warm, crispy, and perfect for melting butter.
But toasting bread to perfection the first time is an art. If you cook it for longer, you’ll probably burn it.
For best results, only make the amount of toast you want to eat at one sitting.
Loaded Mexican Nachos
Loaded Mexican nachos fresh from the kitchen are divine, but if you don’t eat them all in one sitting, don’t bother. The chips get soggy and the vegetables start to wilt.
If you absolutely must reheat them, try using a toaster oven rather than the microwave. It won’t fix all the problems, but at least it won’t be a pile of mush.
Fish
Fish doesn’t keep well. It attracts bacteria more quickly than most foods, offering food poisoning as a reward for eating leftovers.
Not only that, but even if it is safe to eat, reheating it stinks up the kitchen. Fish reigns supreme as the top food you should never reheat in the workplace microwave. If you must reheat your fish, do it at home, slowly, in the oven.
Anything with Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise does not heat well. Heating it can cause the ingredients to separate, leaving an oily, curdled, disgusting substance nobody wants to eat.
Fried Food
Have you ever popped a piece of fried chicken in the microwave? Then you know why it’s a top food to never reheat.
Something about microwaving fried foods destroys their crispiness, turning the delicious coating into a sloppy, mushy mess.
You can get around this disaster by reheating it in the oven or an air fryer instead.
Eggs
The entire point of a sunny-side-up or over-easy egg is to get the delicious runny yolk. When you reheat them, you risk overcooking the yolk.
If you’re on a budget and must reuse them, turn them into burritos rather than attempting to return them to their original glory.
Don’t even try to reheat hard-boiled eggs – just enjoy them cold.
Rice
We all probably reheat rice all the time, but we must be aware of the dangers. Cooked rice is like a magnet for bacteria, so if you’re going to reheat it, be sure to put it in the refrigerator right away.
More Foods that Make Terrible Leftovers
Leftovers aren’t always about reheating an item, but you should eat these meals in one sitting, because they’re gross if you try to save them for later.
Lettuce
Fresh lettuce is crunchy and delicious, but it wilts so quickly that it’s nearly unusable as a leftover.
When meal prepping with lettuce, be sure to keep it at the top and away from any salad dressing. Lettuce with dressing will turn soggy and be inedible.
Sushi
Sushi is one of those foods you have to eat fresh. The fresh fish attracts food-borne illnesses, so you’re risking food poisoning if you wait too long to eat it.
In addition, sushi tastes better fresh. You could probably store it for a day and be fine, but it won’t taste nearly as good.
Cereal
Have you ever poured yourself a bowl of cereal with milk, then had to rush out the door? You pop the bowl in the fridge for later, only to be left with disappointment upon your return.
The once crispy flakes are now a soggy mess, and it’s nearly impossible to eat.
I know, this probably never happened to you, because we all know you shouldn’t save cereal with milk for later.
Most Leftovers Are Great
Although there are some foods you should never reheat, most meals make great leftovers. Eating the same meal twice or repurposing something old into something new is the best way to save money on groceries.
Avoid the nasty leftovers on this list, and you’ll do great!