Now that your freezer is packed with delicious meals, dinner can be as easy as takeout with these simple steps.
• Place your frozen food, still sealed in a plastic bag, in a bowl or sink of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes or until it can be broken into pieces. If the food is in a freezer-weight container (usually made of thicker plastic to stop freezer odors from transferring to the food and to help prevent freezer burn), leave the sealed container in hot water until the food separates from its sides.
• Open the bag or container; invert contents into a saucepan (for stovetop heating) or into a microwave-safe bowl.
• At least 24 hours but no more than 2 days before reheating, place your frozen casserole in the refrigerator to thaw slightly. If the casserole was frozen in a foil-lined baking dish (see , next page), unwrap and return to baking dish to thaw.
• Cover and heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently; boil 1 minute to make sure its fully heated, stirring frequently.
• Loosely cover it with foil and bake according to the recipes reheating instructions until the center of the casserole reaches 160 degrees F (check with an instant-read thermometer).
• Dont be tempted to remove the carousel in your microwave to accommodate large casseroles — a microwave designed to rotate food wont do its job properly without turning. (Always reheat large casseroles in the oven — see reheating instructions for each casserole, plus whether its small enough to fit in the microwave).
• Unwrap your casserole; cover the top with waxed paper, tucking it under the dish (make sure its microwave-safe) to keep in place, or use plastic wrap and turn back a corner to vent. Soups, stews, and chilis should be in a microwave-safe bowl, covered with waxed paper or vented plastic wrap.
• Heat in microwave according to the recipes reheating instructions, first on Low (30%) until ice crystals are gone and you can easily stir soups, stews, and chilis, or insert knife into center of casserole. Then cook on High until food is heated through and the internal temperature of your casserole is 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
Use these tips, and our freeze-with-ease meals can hibernate for three months (see previous page for thawing and reheating steps).
1. Place liquids (soups, stews) in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before freezing; casseroles need half an hour at room temp, plus 30 minutes in the fridge.
2. Wrap casseroles tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap; seal soups and stews in plastic bags or containers designed for freezer use.
3. To maximize space, stack bags horizontally until frozen, then store upright. Or line your baking dish with greased foil before making the casserole. Then, once the meal is frozen, remove the dish.
It is safe to reheat frozen leftovers without thawing, either in a saucepan or microwave (in the case of a soup or stew) or in the oven or microwave (for example, casseroles and combination meals). Reheating will take longer than if the food is thawed first, but it is safe to do when time is short.
• Unwrap your casserole; cover the top with waxed paper, tucking it under the dish (make sure its microwave-safe) to keep in place, or use plastic wrap and turn back a corner to vent. Soups, stews, and chilis should be in a microwave-safe bowl, covered with waxed paper or vented plastic wrap.
Use these tips, and our freeze-with-ease meals can hibernate for three months (see previous page for thawing and reheating steps).
2. Wrap casseroles tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap; seal soups and stews in plastic bags or containers designed for freezer use.
• Loosely cover it with foil and bake according to the recipes reheating instructions until the center of the casserole reaches 160 degrees F (check with an instant-read thermometer).
• Dont be tempted to remove the carousel in your microwave to accommodate large casseroles — a microwave designed to rotate food wont do its job properly without turning. (Always reheat large casseroles in the oven — see reheating instructions for each casserole, plus whether its small enough to fit in the microwave).
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Reheating Frozen Soup
FAQ
Can you cook frozen stew from frozen?
How do you thaw frozen stew?
What temperature do you reheat stew in the oven?
How do you reheat frozen homemade soup?
How do you reheat stew?
First, you want to reheat the stew in a pot on the stove. You need to place it over medium-high heat and then stir occasionally with a wooden spoon for about five minutes or until it starts simmering. Then reduce the heat down as low as possible but still keep it hot this should take about 15 minutes (give or take).
Can You reheat frozen beef stew?
Transfer your stew to the slow cooker and heat on low for 4-6 hours, or until the stew is piping hot. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even reheating. To reheat frozen beef stew, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, follow any of the reheating methods described above.
Can You reheat frozen stew in the microwave?
Here are the general steps on reheating frozen stew in the microwave: Place your cooled, thawed, and drained soup into a microwavable dish or bowl; cover with plastic wrap or wax paper (layering is possible). Heat through for one minute at 50% power. Stir well and reheat for another minute at 50% power or until heated through. Serve and enjoy!
How do you reheat frozen Stew & Dumplings?
Here are some general tips on reheating frozen stew and dumplings in an oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F with a temperature set for reheated food. Place cooled, thawed, and drained frozen stew into an oven-safe dish or pot; cover tightly with aluminum foil and place inside the preheated oven. Heat through for 30 minutes (stir halfway).