Don’t worry about those weekend bean leftovers from your last large batch: there are awesome leftover recipes you can include them in!
You just need to reheat the beans and you will have a tasty meal ready in no time.
Beans, when you use the right temperature and duration, can be reheated several times without worrying about safety.
However, according to the FSA, you should reheat every food only once, of course, when possible. If you reheat leftover beans, it’s essential to take all the necessary measures to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
This is done by reheating the food at the right temperature until it’s piping hot. Storing beans is also important, so let’s learn how to do that!
Table of Contents
How to Store Leftover Beans?
Storing leftover food properly is essential for optimal food safety. This will preserve their quality and prolong their longevity.
Transfer the leftovers to a plastic or glass container with a lid. You can keep the leftover beans in the fridge for three to four days. If you don’t plan to eat them within this period, it’s best to set them in the freezer.
Frozen and cooked leftover beans in the freezer are safe for consumption for up to six months. When filling the container with leftover beans, don’t overfill it. Choose smaller amounts instead.
This will improve the freezing and ensure the leftovers are easier to use in recipes or for serving.
Can You Reheat Beans Twice?
When you use the right temperature and duration, you can safely reheat beans twice or more if that’s necessary. However, although this is possible, it’s not necessarily the best option.
In fact, the FSA advises reheating food more than once. If you do have to reheat the beans twice, it’s essential to learn the do’s and don’ts. This will maximize the safety of the food and prevent food poisoning.
Food poisoning can happen when we consume foods that haven’t been properly reheated. Although we recover from unpleasant symptoms like cramps and diarrhea, in children and the elderly, this condition may cause serious complications.
To prevent this from happening, you have to stop bacteria from multiplying and causing disease or producing poisons in your food that will lead to disease.
Here are excellent tips to reheat beans properly:
- Reheat quickly
- Reheat to 165 degrees F and at least two minutes
- Cook and reheat all food thoroughly
- The maximum time for food reheating is two hours
How to Maximize Food Safety when Reheating Beans?
Because of the risk of bacteria in food, it’s essential to maximize food safety when you reheat it. The same rule applies to leftover beans.
If you don’t cook them using the right temperature and if you store them improperly, there’s a higher risk of food-borne illnesses.
Storing the leftovers is also important: if you plan to eat them within several days, the fridge is a great option. For longer periods, the freezer should be your go-to choice.
Here are some great tips by USDA Food Safety and Inspection that you should follow:
- Cool the leftovers fast
To reduce the risk of bacteria, cool the leftovers right away in the fridge or the freezer.
Make sure you portion the amounts into containers that are shallower. This will speed up the cooling time and prevent bacteria.
- Store them adequately
If you plan to consume the leftover beans within three to four days, the fridge is an excellent place to store them. Use the freezer to prolong their safety and quality.
You can keep them there for up to six months. You can freeze cooked beans indefinitely but take into account that they tend to lose their flavor and moisture if stored for longer periods of time.
- Thaw them well
Thaw the frozen beans in the fridge, run them with cold water, or use the microwave. The fridge lasts the longest and the microwave is usually the fastest option.
Use the thawed beans within three to four days or freeze them again. You can also reheat them without thawing them in the microwave or on the stove, but it this may take longer.
- Set the right temperature
When reheating leftover beans, heat them up to 165 degrees F.
Make sure you bring them to a boil and cover them while reheating. This will ensure moisture and equal heating.
Can You Refreeze Frozen Leftover Beans?
Oftentimes, we have leftover leftovers, right? But, this shouldn’t worry you. In fact, when this happens, you should know that it’s safe to refreeze foods after they’ve been thawed and reheated at the right temperature.
If you have stored a bigger container with leftover beans and needed only a part of it, thaw the leftovers in your fridge, take out the wanted amount, and put the remaining leftovers in the freezer.
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, almost any food can be reheated twice, but it’s always the safest and best option to not do it more than once or ideally, eat the food right after it’s been cooked.
Meals with cooked beans are a common leftover so it’s good to know that they can be reheated easily if they’ve been stored properly.
The fridge is the ideal option if you plan to consume them within a couple of days. Choose the freezer if you wish to prolong the food’s safety for up to six months. In an effort to reduce your risk of food poisoning, store leftovers in a cold area right away.
When reheating beans the first or the second time, set the right temperature to ensure your food reheats thoroughly and all bacteria are destroyed.
