Fish is, without a doubt, best when just freshly prepared in any way. You can grill it, bake it in a pan, make it wrapped in salt in the oven, cook it, or prepare it as a steak just lightly baked on the outside.
If you are a fish lover, you prefer any method of preparation. For most, however, grilled fish is the pinnacle of seafood pleasure.
But, what happens when you have leftover fish after lunch?
It’s a shame to throw it away. Many connoisseurs will recommend that you eat the fish cold in that case. In the meantime, of course, you need to keep it in the fridge. But, it is not always delicious for every type of fish. Some are merely edible when cold and have a pungent taste.
We bring you a few tips on how to reheat fish but keep in mind that you shouldn’t heat some seafood, such as tuna.
Reheating Whole Fish With The Skin
If you have a whole fish in one piece, you want to reheat it by keeping the skin and making it as crunchy as possible. The skin will also help retain moisture inside the fish, so it is advisable to preserve it.
It can be any type of fish like mullet, bass, bream, or dozens of other types. When reheating, always follow the rule—warm slowly over low heat.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 275 °F
It is very important that the temperature is not too high when reheating the fish, so preheat the oven to only 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Place the Fish on a Baking Sheet
You can put the fish on a baking paper and directly on the oven rack. Since there are no extra sauces and the fish is already pre-baked, there will be no liquid coming out to mess up your oven. This way, the fish will heat up evenly on all sides.
However, if you do not want to, you can also put the fish in a pan on which you have laid a baking paper so that it does not stick.
Step 3: Bake for about 15 Minutes
Put the fish in the oven and let it heat up for about 15 minutes—that should be enough time. You can also check the temperature of the fish with a thermometer. It should be around 130 degrees.
Reheating Skinless Fish Fillets
In the case of fish fillets, it is much more dangerous that the fish will dry out a lot when reheated. What you need is to add more care to keep the juiciness. And in this case, the fish must be heated in the oven.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 275 °F
The heating temperature should be as low as in the previous procedure. So, set the oven to 275 degrees F and let it heat up.
Step 2: Wrap Fish Leftovers in a Foil Together with the Sauce
To keep the fish fillets’ juiciness, it is necessary to create steam in which they will heat up. So the best thing to do is to put the fish in aluminum foil. Add a few tablespoons of fish broth or a little water, to add liquid, then wrap the foil well.
Step 3: Bake for Approximately 15 Minutes
Put the wrapped fish in the oven and leave for 15 minutes to bake. Then, take it out and make sure it is heated enough. Be careful not to burn yourself while opening the foil as there will be hot steam inside.
It would be best if you placed your fish leftovers in a proper container and seal. Keep in the fridge for not more than three days. It is somewhat the maximum number of days for the fish to be safe for consumption.
You can stretch it on a fourth day if everything looks and smells okay, but don’t push the limits. Freezing cooked fish isn’t a good option because it will ruin the texture and the flavor. If you need to freeze fish for a more extended period, rather do it while it is fresh and raw.
Can I reheat fish in a microwave?
Well, technically, you can do that, but it will spoil your lunch a bit. Microwave tends to dry out the fish, which ruins the texture. Also, nuking can often bring out that fish odor, which is not pleasant. So, if you must reheat fish in a microwave, try to do so in a short 20 seconds interval. After each interval, check to see how your fish is doing and if it is heated enough. Don’t just pop it in the microwave and leave for 2 minutes.
How do I know if the fish is rotten?
The sense of smell will rarely deceive you. Even when the fish is raw, if it smells strange and different from the usual sea smell they normally have, you better throw it away. Do not eat or prepare rotten fish. When cooked and stored in the refrigerator, if it has an unusual smell and looks different (some mucus or mold appears), throw it away immediately and don’t even try to reheat it.
Conclusion
Fish is really a real delicacy when freshly prepared. But, the next day, the leftovers can be a little disappointing. In that case, it is essential to heat the fish well so that you can enjoy it again. The oven is the only reliable way to do it. By heating slowly at a low temperature, you will achieve the best results.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
