The great thing about Pad Thai is that you can combine ingredients as you wish. You can choose which meat to put, which vegetables, and even spices. Some put more, some less, depending on their preferred taste.
When you have Pad Thai leftovers after lunch, no worries, you can easily reheat it later. And most of the ingredients will warm up nicely without losing their texture and flavor. Just be careful not to overcook it all together.
You can use three methods. On the stove, which is also the way you prepared Pad Thai in the first place. Then, in the microwave and in the oven. We will go through each method with tips for each.
Reheating Pad Thai On The Stovetop
My favorite way is to warm up Pad Thai the way I prepared it the first time, and it only takes a lot shorter. I always use a wok dish because it heats up perfectly, and the vegetables keep their texture in it.
I would also recommend it when reheating, but if you don’t have a wok pan on hand, a plain one will decently serve. Here are the steps you can follow to reheat pad thai:
Step 1: Preheat Some Oil in a Pan
As we said, it would be better to use a wok pan. Put a little oil in a pan and let it heat up. You will need so much oil so the dish comes out well prepared and does not stick to the pan, but again not too much that it can become too greasy.
Step 2: Put Pad Thai in a Pan and Stir
Put the Pad Thai in the pan when the oil is heated. Immediately several times, toss the dish so that the oil is nicely distributed. Continue to heat constantly stirring or tossing. When the dish is ready, serve it instantly.
Reheating Pad Thai In The Microwave
In the case of Pad Thai, we cannot assure you that the microwave is a slightly faster method than the stove. In preparing the dish, you simply cover it in the bowl, and just wait for about a few minutes.
However, the microwave can serve you the same, especially if you do not have a pan, or if you are at work.
Step 1: Place the Pad Thai in a Microwave-Safe Dish
First, place the Pad Thai in the bowl you will use to reheat it. then add one tablespoon of water. You can pour it in the middle. This will help the dish to evaporate and not to dry out the ingredients.
Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke a couple of holes so that air can escape.
Step 2: Nuke for 90 Seconds
When everything is well prepared, put Pad Thai in the microwave. Turn the microwave on and heat the Pad Thai for 90 seconds. It should be just enough time for everything to be well heated and delicious. Take it out and serve.
If you estimate that a little more heating is needed, feel free to heat for another 10 seconds.
Reheating Pad Thai In The Oven
There are not many advantages that go in favor of the oven in this case except that you can heat larger quantities at once than in the microwave. Otherwise, it is a much slower method of heating Pad Thai.
So if you have the option, we advise that you follow the first two techniques. But if you have no choice, here is how to heat Pad Thai in the oven.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 350 °F
The first step is always to turn on the oven to heat up well. This will take a few minutes so you can prepare the dish for warm-up during that time. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Put Pad Thai in a Bowl, Oil, and Cover
Place the Pad Thai in the pan where you will heat it and distribute it evenly. Add a little oil. You can also sprinkle it over the dish, and stir a little. Then, cover the whole bowl with aluminum foil.
Step 3: Bake for about 15 Minutes
Put the dish in the oven and let it heat for 15 minutes. As we said, this is the slowest method, so you have to have a little patience. When the time is up, take the dish out and serve. Be careful not to burn yourself while removing the foil as there will be hot steam inside.
FAQs
How long can Pad Thai last in a fridge?
Always keep food in the refrigerator, and do not leave it at room temperature. The Pad Thai should be good for about three days in the fridge if stored adequately in a container with a lid. Some say it can take up to 5 days but would recommend you not take the risk. Consume the dish within three days of preparing it.
How long can Pad Thai be left out?
With dishes like this, you should stick to the 2-hour rule. Of course, this is not the case for a minute, but as a rule, you should keep food in the refrigerator if you do not consume it. Otherwise, bacteria will develop on it. Also, keep in mind that the outside temperature greatly affects the food. For example, if it is very hot outside, the food will surely spoil faster than in colder temperatures.
Can I freeze cooked Pad Thai?
You can freeze cooked Pad Thai, and it should last up to six months in the freezer. However, depending on what ingredients you have in your Pad Thai, some could lose their fine texture after freezing, especially some vegetables.
Conclusion
Pad Thai is a dish that you can heat up very efficiently, so there’s no need to worry if you have leftovers after lunch. You can easily reheat it on the stove using a wok pan, but useful methods are can be applied both in a microwave and oven. The oven, however, takes the most time to reheat.
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.
