There are many ways to prepare brussels sprouts; you can boil them, roast them, fry them or bake them. And even though we used to run away from them when we were young, we now realize how important these sprouts are. They’re loaded with all the good stuff – antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. Plus, they make for a healthy side dish with your favorite meal.
And if you’re anything like me, you probably have leftover brussels sprouts in the fridge that you don’t know how to reheat them in the microwave without them getting soggy. Luckily, I know the right way to reheat the vegetable in the microwave so that you have crispy sprouts within minutes.
Forget preheating the oven or chucking the sprouts in the air fryer – who has time for that? Just turn to your trusted old microwave and get hot, crispy brussels sprouts in no time.
Not sure how to go about it?
Here’s everything you need to know!
Can you reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave?
Yes, you can definitely reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave. You just need to make sure they’re not overcooked before chucking them in the microwave. This will make sure they have a good texture and taste.
When reheating brussels sprouts in the microwave, make sure you don’t nuke them for more than 30 seconds. Otherwise, their flavor and tender texture might change. Plus, if you microwave for more than half a minute, you might overcook the vegetable. This will result in a soggy, unappealing mess that you’d definitely not want to eat.
So make sure you don’t exceed the 30-second mark to preserve the vegetable’s original crispiness, freshness, and flavor.
How to reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave
To reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave, I recommend using a microwave crisper pan. This will keep the sprouts soft and crispy and prevent them from becoming soggy. Microwave them on high in 30-second intervals and stir well to distribute heat evenly between intervals. Make sure you don’t heat them for more than a minute, otherwise they will become mushy.
Whether you have roasted, caramelized, or baked brussels sprouts, microwaving them is a quick, effective, and safe way to reheat them. But if you’re not careful and don’t follow the right method, you will end up with soggy sprouts.
So, how do you go about it?
First, take out the amount of brussels sprouts you want to heat and put them in a microwave-safe dish. If you’re not in too much hurry and have a few minutes to spare, I recommend using a preheated microwave crisper pan. This will make sure that the sprouts are nice and soft on the inside and crispy and crunchy on the outside.
Then, set your microwave on high and microwave them for 30 seconds. Once the time is up, take the sprouts out and stir them well. If they’re not hot enough, nuke them again for 15 seconds. Make sure you’re very careful with the time since you don’t want to overheat them and make them mushy.
Continue heating in 15-second intervals and keep stirring between each interval. Stop microwaving when the sprouts are hot to the touch. If you have a food thermometer, use that, and don’t microwave if the sprouts reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember, you shouldn’t microwave the sprouts for more than a minute otherwise you’ll only get a soggy mess.
Is it safe to reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave. In fact, doing so retains more nutrients than other cooking methods. Plus, you can even steam them in the microwave to make a healthy side dish. Just make sure they haven’t gone bad and that you use a microwave-safe container.
Many points go in the favor of reheating brussels sprouts in the microwave. For instance, it helps preserve their scrumptious texture and flavor. Plus, it is healthier to microwave them than to bake them or put them in the air fryer. It is also very simple and easy and doesn’t take much time. This helps cut down the meal prep time.
However, there are two things you need to be mindful of.
First, make sure you don’t reheat it in a plastic container, especially one that’s not labeled microwave-safe. Heating plastic can leach harmful chemicals into your food, which can eventually make you sick. This is why it’s better to stick to microwave-safe Pyrex or glass dishes. Or, as mentioned earlier, you can use a crisper tray.
Second, make sure the sprouts were stored correctly and are not rotten before microwaving them. Ideally, you should store them in airtight containers so that they are not exposed to bacteria and retain their freshness.
Also, make sure they’re not too old. Cooked brussels sprouts can only last for up to four days in the fridge. If it has been more than that, it’s better to discard the sprouts instead of consuming them. You can easily tell if the sprouts are rotten by smell; they will give an unpleasant smell if you leave them for over 4 days.
How long should you reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave?
You should reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute. It’s better if you don’t microwave longer than that. Otherwise, you risk overcooking the vegetable. However, the time can vary depending on the amount of sprouts you’re reheating and the power of the microwave.
Time is of the essence when it comes to microwaving brussels sprouts. And you’ll have to experiment a bit to find the right time. This is why it’s better to microwave the sprouts in 15-second intervals after the initial 30 seconds.
The time will depend on your microwave’s wattage, the quantity of the sprouts, and how frozen they are. Of course, a higher-powered microwave will take less time, especially since you have to microwave on high.
Meanwhile, the greater the amount of sprouts, the longer it will take. But make sure you thoroughly stir after each interval to evenly distribute heat and reduce the total microwave time. If you don’t stir, you might end up overcooking some sprouts while some will be left cold.
And if you have frozen brussels sprouts, it’s better to let them defrost in the fridge a night before or in the microwave. Even then, if they’re very cold, they might take more than a minute to reheat.
It’s important to reiterate that you shouldn’t overheat the sprouts. After the initial round, don’t microwave them for more than 15 seconds in one go. Otherwise, they will become soggy and mushy.
Tips to reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave
As mentioned earlier, reheating brussels sprouts in the microwave is faster and easier than other methods. However, you need to be careful of a few things so that your sprouts stay soft but crunchy. Some tips to remember are:
- Only use a microwave-safe plate for nuking. Don’t use a plastic bag or other packaging materials unless they explicitly say they are microwave-safe or have the microwave-safe symbol.
- Only microwave in 15-second intervals to keep track of how hot the sprouts are. This will help prevent overheating. And don’t forget to stir after each interval.
- You can get a crispy shell on the sprouts by using a microwave crisper pan.
- In case you have frozen sprouts, you can microwave them for longer. But keep in mind they won’t be as crunchy then.
The Bottom Line
You now know how to reheat brussels sprouts in the microwave. As you have seen, it’s easy, simple, and hardly takes a minute. And with our tips in mind, you will be able to enjoy hot and crispy sprouts that are soft inside instead of a gooey mess. Happy microwaving!