Meal Plan Weekly

How To Reheat Jambalaya

When you think of comfort food, the thought of jambalaya is right up there as this Cajun-inspired rice dish packed with so much flavor and with all the best ingredients combined.

Jambalaya is a classic dish where you are sure you have leftovers, and it’s a recipe that I love for batch cooking and meal prep because you can make a large pot of it and divide it into meal prep containers.

However, the thought of reheating rice dishes often causes concern, which leads to the question: can you reheat jambalaya? The answer is yes and it’s safe!

You can reheat jambalaya in the microwave, oven, or stove which tastes just as great hence why this recipe is also good for meal prepping as the leftovers are very comforting.

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How to Reheat Jambalaya

It’s perfectly fine to reheat jambalaya and the three best ways are the microwave, oven, or stove which all have their pros and cons for you.

Reheating Jambalaya In The Microwave

The quickest and most popular way to reheat jambalaya is by using the microwave which can be convenient if you want to take this dish to work or if you’re looking for a quick leftover meal to reheat.

As with all recipes that you plan to reheat, it’s important that the dish is piping hot throughout, which is why you should follow the instructions below carefully.

How to reheat jambalaya in the microwave:

  1. Transfer the jambalaya into a microwave-safe dish or container.
  2. Cover the dish – use a microwave food cover guard for best results.
  3. Heat the jambalaya for 1 minute and stir.
  4. Heat for 1 minute again and allow it to sit for 30 seconds.
  5. After giving it a stir, ensure that the dish is piping hot throughout.
  6. Serve the jambalaya and enjoy.

Reheating Jambalaya In The Oven

Although it takes longer, the best way to reheat jambalaya is by using the oven because of the controlled temperature which can help reheat this dish to perfection.

This can be a great way to prevent the rice from drying out too because the consistency of the temperature will help cook it evenly.

How to reheat jambalaya in the oven:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C.
  2. Transfer the jambalaya to an oven-safe dish or glass meal prep container.
  3. Add two tablespoons of water.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Place the dish in the oven and heat for 20 to 25 minutes.
  6. Stir and check it’s piping hot throughout.
  7. Serve the jambalaya and enjoy.

Reheating Jambalaya On The Stove

Using the stovetop is another great way to reheat jambalaya which is slightly longer than the microwave but requires a lot less time than the oven.

Also, the temperature can be controlled to reheat it to perfection because you can stir it several times to ensure it’s hot throughout.

Here is how to reheat jambalaya on the stove:

  1. Set to heat to medium and preheat the saucepan.
  2. Transfer jambalaya into a saucepan.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons of water and mix.
  4. Reheat for up to 6 to 8 minutes, or until hot throughout.
  5. Serve the jambalaya and enjoy.

Is It Safe To Reheat Rice Dishes?

Reheating rice usually causes concern and can sound unappealing because of the potential dangers of food poisoning.

This is because rice may contain spores of Bacillus cereus which is bacteria that can survive when rice is cooked.

Therefore, when you allow the rice to cool down to room temperature, the bacteria could multiply quickly which leads to food poisoning.

Therefore, it’s essential to cool the rice as quickly as possible and keep it stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.

By following two-hour rule is generally good practice when allowing food to cool down before you store it in the fridge, but aim for around 1 hour with rice to keep it safe.

Although some websites say you should keep rice in the fridge for no more than 1 day until reheating, it’s perfectly fine to keep most rice dishes stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days until reheating, which includes jambalaya.

Can You Reheat Jambalaya For A Second Time?

No, you shouldn’t reheat jambalaya for a second time because it runs a higher risk of bacteria growth which is higher in this case because it’s a rice dish.

As for any dish, you should avoid reheating food because of these risks and rice dishes runs up the dangers at a higher level.

Aim to reheat a portion that you know you will eat, otherwise, you will face no choice but to discard the remaining food.

Can You Freeze Jambalaya?

Yes, you can freeze jambalaya, and it’s one particular dish that will freeze incredibly well which is why it’s a fantastic recipe if you want to batch cook or meal prep.

Because this is a rice dish, you will need to cool the jambalaya as quickly as possible and store it in an air-tight container before you freeze it.

When you plan to thaw the jambalaya, the best way is to transfer your container to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight because it will defrost at a steady pace, and it reduces the risk of bacteria growth.

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