There’s no denying that the microwave is a kitchen staple, loved for its convenience. However, despite the convenience of the microwave, not every food can go in the microwave. Reheating certain foods in the microwave can lead to safety hazards. Whether it’s protecting your microwave from getting dirty or making sure your leftovers are safe and delicious, it’s important to know which foods to avoid microwaving.
Many of us instinctively microwave leftovers or soften food, but this method can sometimes backfire. Foods that are dense, volatile, or contain specific compounds can react adversely to rapid and uneven heating in the microwave. Today, we’ll look at some common foods that should never be microwaved and discuss alternative ways to heat them safely and effectively.
1. **Chili Peppers**: Although chili peppers are vegetables, the capsaicin they contain actually evaporates into the microwave when it is put in the microwave. You will find that as soon as you open the microwave door, you will be irritated by capsaicin, including your throat, eyes, nose and lungs.
To avoid this problem, it’s best to use a toaster oven or pan heating method instead of microwaving.
Recipe details: Pickled hot, sweet chili peppers and onions
Level: Unknown Servings: 2
Total weight: 576.8 g Calories: 291.4 kcal
Energy: 291.4 kcal Protein: 6.5 g
Carbs: 65.3 g Fat: 1.5 g
Dish Tags: american, condiments and sauces, lunch/dinner, High-Fiber, Low-Fat, Low-Sodium, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Ingredients:
2/3 pound assorted chili peppers, sweet and hot varieties mixed
1/3 pound Vidalia or other sweet onion
8 teaspoons sugar
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
pinch of Korean chile pepper threads
Get the recipe: Pickled hot, sweet chili peppers and onions
Read more about: Insanely Cool Gadgets That Will Revolutionize Your Daily Routine
2. **Hard-Boiled Eggs**: Hard-boiled eggs are another food that should never be placed in the microwave. Whether peeled or shelled, microwaving hard-boiled eggs can cause an explosion. The main reason for this is that the high heat inside the egg can cause water vapor to build up inside the egg, which cannot come out. So when you cut or bite into an egg, the sudden release of steam could cause you to burn.
If you need to warm up a hard-boiled egg, you can cut it into quarters first. Alternatively, you can heat it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes so there’s no danger of it exploding.
Recipe details: Spinach Gratin With Hard Boiled Eggs
Level: Unknown Servings: 8
Total weight: 2215.9 g Calories: 1722.9 kcal
Energy: 1722.9 kcal Protein: 98.1 g
Carbs: 105.3 g Fat: 110.3 g
Dish Tags: french, main course, lunch/dinner, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Peanut-Free, Tree-Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Sulfites
Ingredients:
3 pounds of fresh spinach, cleaned (or 24 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
2 cups of milk
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, or 3/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg if you aren’t starting with a whole nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more to taste
1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese (about 1 ounce)
6 hard boiled eggs*
3 to 4 Tbsp seasoned bread crumbs**
Olive oil
Get the recipe: Spinach Gratin With Hard Boiled Eggs
3. **Leftover Potatoes**: Microwaving leftover potatoes may appear safe, but it is not without risk. Leftover potatoes can easily host Clostridium botulinum bacteria at room temperature. And microwaving at certain temperatures is not efficient in destroying these bacteria.
To properly reheat potatoes, place them in the refrigerator as soon as they have cooled to prevent bacterial growth. When you are ready to serve them, consider warming them in the oven instead.
Recipe details: Leftover Potato Quick Bread
Level: Unknown Servings: 1
Total weight: 949.3 g Calories: 1261.2 kcal
Energy: 1261.2 kcal Protein: 46.3 g
Carbs: 233.2 g Fat: 15.6 g
Dish Tags: american, bread, lunch/dinner, High-Fiber, Low-Fat, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean, Peanut-Free, Tree-Nut-Free
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
Greens of 1 bunch scallions, trimmed, washed, 1/4″ slice
2 sort of small fist-sized cooked potatoes, smashed (not mashed – leave some color and texture to them)
2 large eggs
4 ounces buttermilk or sour milk
Get the recipe: Leftover Potato Quick Bread
4. **Grapes**: Grapes are a fruit that should never be microwaved, in case you were surprised. This is because juicy fruits become overheated in the microwave, and the temperature quickly evaporates their sugary interior water and turns it into syrup. Not only does it tend to explode in the microwave, it’s likely that the overheated syrup will spurt out and burn you when you’re ready to take a bite.
If you want to heat your grapes, consider roasting them in the oven or heating them in a pan on the stovetop.
Recipe details: roquefort grapes
Level: Unknown Servings: 8
Total weight: 384.7 g Calories: 1676.7 kcal
Energy: 1676.7 kcal Protein: 67.5 g
Carbs: 23.1 g Fat: 152.7 g
Dish Tags: french, bread, breakfast, Low-Carb, Sugar-Conscious, Low Potassium, Keto-Friendly, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Sulfites
Ingredients:
8 ounces crumbled Roquefort cheese
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 bunch seedless grapes
Get the recipe: roquefort grapes
5. **Processed Meats**: When it’s time to serve hot dogs and sausages, you may find it convenient to microwave these ready-to-eat meats. But in fact, during the heating process, these meats release cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), compounds that can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, as well as produce inflammation and vascular damage. For seniors need to be extra aware of these pitfalls.
Recipe details: Montreal Smoked Meat Recipe
Cook time: Unknown Total time: 7800
Level: Unknown Servings: 12
Total weight: 6047.8 g Calories: 16644.7 kcal
Energy: 16644.7 kcal Protein: 1063.1 g
Carbs: 80.1 g Fat: 1318.6 g
Dish Tags: middle eastern, main course, lunch/dinner, Low-Carb, Sugar-Conscious, Keto-Friendly, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free
Ingredients:
1 cup Kosher salt (137g Diamond Crystal; 241g Morton’s)
3 tablespoons (21g) ground black pepper
3 tablespoons (18g) ground coriander
1 tablespoons pink salt (22g), such as Prague Powder #1
1 tablespoons (13g) sugar
1 teaspoon ground bay leaf
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 whole brisket, around 12-14 pounds (5.4 to 6.4kg), fat cap trimmed to ⅛-inch
3 tablespoons (27g) coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoons (6g) ground coriander
1 tablespoons (7g) paprika
1 tablespoon (10g) garlic powder
1 tablespoon (10g) onion powder
1 teaspoon dill weed
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Get the recipe: Montreal Smoked Meat Recipe
6. **Tomato Sauce**: The consistency of these sauces traps heat and steam, which can explode. Not only will this stain your microwave, it will make cleaning it a pain in the ass. In more serious cases, when the sauce splashes on your skin, it can cause burns.
The stove is your best friend when heating ketchup. Use a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often and adding a little water if necessary to ensure even heating.
Recipe details: Speedy Tomato Sauce
Cook time: Unknown Total time: 45
Level: Unknown Servings: 6
Total weight: 977.6 g Calories: 799.2 kcal
Energy: 799.2 kcal Protein: 18.2 g
Carbs: 40.6 g Fat: 66.8 g
Dish Tags: italian, condiments and sauces, snack, Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Sulfites
Ingredients:
1 28 oz can whole or pureed tomatoes (not tomato sauce)
1 Parmesan rind
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Sugar
1/2 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons Butter
1/2 Onion, peeled and cut in half
2 Garlic cloves crushed but left whole so you can remove them later
3-4 Basil leaves
Get the recipe: Speedy Tomato Sauce
Read more about: Rustic Comfort: Cooking For the Soul in the Countryside
7. **Rice**: Rice is a staple item in many homes, and spores of Bacillus cereus can grow when cooked rice is left at room temperature for too long. Heating rice in the microwave doesn’t eliminate these bacteria and it also tends to evaporate the water from the rice, leaving it dry and hard.
The safest way to heat rice is to steam it. Use a steamer on the burner or set the rice in a heat-resistant bowl, cover with a damp towel, and steam.
Recipe details: Basic White Rice
Cook time: Unknown Total time: 35
Level: Unknown Servings: 3
Total weight: 440.0 g Calories: 2.0 kcal
Energy: 2.0 kcal Protein: 0.0 g
Carbs: 0.4 g Fat: 0.0 g
Dish Tags: american, main course, breakfast, Low-Fat, Low-Sodium, Sugar-Conscious, Low Sugar, Low Potassium, Kidney-Friendly, Keto-Friendly, Sulfites
Ingredients:
1 cup (200g) long-grain rice, such as jasmine or Carolina rice (see note)
1 cup (240ml) water, plus more for rinsing rice
Get the recipe: Basic White Rice
8. **Fish**: Whether it is a sensitive salmon fillet or a flaky white fish, microwaving fish will undoubtedly damage its exquisite texture and flavor. The strong heat of the microwave can quickly overcook the fish, turning it rubbery and dry. Worse worse, microwaving generates a strong, fishy odor that remains in the kitchen.
To properly heat fish, use a low-temperature oven or a skillet on the stovetop to maintain moisture.
Recipe details: Deep Fried Fish Bones
Cook time: Unknown Total time: 31
Level: Unknown Servings: 4
Total weight: 1472.0 g Calories: 2926.1 kcal
Energy: 2926.1 kcal Protein: 257.3 g
Carbs: 0.0 g Fat: 213.8 g
Dish Tags: south east asian, starter, lunch/dinner, Low-Carb, Sugar-Conscious, Low Sugar, Keto-Friendly, Pescatarian, Mediterranean
Ingredients:
8 small whiting fish or smelt
4 cups vegetable oil
Get the recipe: Deep Fried Fish Bones
9. **Leafy Greens**: Some leafy greens should never be microwaved because they contain high levels of nitrates, which are converted to harmful nitrites at high microwave temperatures. Extra care should be taken with the diet of children and pregnant women.
Reheating leafy greens is more recommended to gently steam them on the stovetop. Or, serve them cold in salads or sandwiches for a safe and nutritious alternative.
Recipe details: All You Need to Make This Healthy Homemade Pasta Is Flour, Salt, and Leafy Greens
Cook time: Unknown Total time: 90
Level: Unknown Servings: 4
Total weight: 301.6 g Calories: 751.0 kcal
Energy: 751.0 kcal Protein: 23.5 g
Carbs: 156.2 g Fat: 2.4 g
Dish Tags: italian, biscuits and cookies, lunch/dinner, Low-Fat, Sugar-Conscious, Kidney-Friendly, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Ingredients:
100 grams leafy greens, like spinach or kale
200 grams flour, plus extra (all-purpose or King Arthur’s Pasta Flour blend are my preferred choices)
Salt, to taste
While the microwave is a convenient appliance, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for reheating food. For these 9 foods, taking a few extra minutes to use alternative reheating methods can make all the difference in safety, flavor, and texture. By understanding the risks and following these practical tips, you can enjoy your meals as much the second time as you did the first.
Related posts:
Which Is Better: An OTG or Microwave Oven For Home Baking? (May 2025)
This Is Why Your Leftovers Taste Like Cardboard
12 Things You Should Never Put in the Microwave for Safety
