Who doesn’t love tacos? Tacos are a quick and tasty meal loved by everyone. They can be stuffed with various fillings such as chicken, beef, pork, beans, and cheese.
No matter which kind, every kid and adult loves this famous Mexican American cuisine. Perhaps, you were too excited for a taco night that you prepared a lot more than the crowd eats.
In that case, can you still reheat leftover tacos successfully?
Don’t worry. Whether you have some leftovers from Taco Bell or made them from scratch, there is a way to make leftover tacos great again!
Keep reading to find the necessary steps to reheat tacos, so they taste as delicious as freshly made!
Step 1: Removing Cold Ingredients
First thing first, scrape off any cold toppings such as lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, sour cream, etc. Cold ingredients should remain cold. If the vegetables are already soft and limp, replace them with new ones.
Step 2: Removing and Reheating The Fillings
Keep in mind that the fillings are already cooked. The beans, meat stuffing, and other ingredients should be thoroughly heated, but you shouldn’t overheat them either. Otherwise, the meat will dry out. Good reheating means a balance between thorough heating without overdoing it.
You have a few options on how you can reheat the taco meat fillings. The quickest option would be microwaving them. But, if you need to heat up a large portion, reheating on a stovetop is an excellent method.
How to reheat taco fillings in a microwave
1. Place the fillings on a plate or a microwave-safe dish.
2. Microwave for 30 to 40 seconds on medium heat, depending on the portion.
3. Check and stir well to distribute the heat evenly.
4. If they’re not warm yet, continue reheating for another 10 to 20 seconds.
How to reheat taco meat fillings in a skillet
1. Add a little bit of oil to the pan.
2. Turn the stove on low to medium heat.
3. Pour the fillings into the pan.
4. Stir occasionally and reheat for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are thoroughly warmed up.
Step 3: Reheating Taco Shells In An Oven, Microwave, or Skillet
The corn tortillas have enough time to soak up moisture from the meat stuffing, vegetables, and sauces, making the shells soft and soggy.
To regain the crispiness, reheating in an oven or skillet is the most ideal method.
How to reheat hard taco shells in an oven
1. Preheat the oven to 350 to 400 °F.
2. Place the shells on a baking sheet. Don’t overcrowd the tray or stack them. It is better to work in multiple rounds if reheating tons of them, so each shell is thoroughly reheated.
3. Bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until they are warm and crispy.
How to reheat soft tacos in a skillet
1. Grease a pan with a little bit of pan or non-stick spray.
2. Turn on the stove to medium heat.
3. Place the shell(s) in the pan and reheat for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
How to reheat taco shells in a microwave
1. Place the shells on a microwave-safe dish or plate.
2. Microwave them for about 30 seconds on medium power.
Step 4: Reassembling the Ingredients
At this point, you have the shells and fillings warmed up. Finally, it’s time to put them back together into a delicious meal!
Take one shell, add the fillings, vegetables, and other condiments. If the vegetables are already limp or soft, you can replace them with fresh ones. Lastly, top with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or your favorite condiments. This way, your leftover tacos will taste as flavorful as their fresh counterparts!
FAQs
How long are leftover tacos good for?
In general, leftover tacos can be stored for up to 3 to 4 days for maximum freshness. This time frame may depend on the fresh ingredients used for the fillings.
Do taco shells go bad?
Just like other food items, taco shells also go bad. You can tell the symptoms from the appearance, smell, or taste. If the shells look moldy, smell unpleasant, or taste rancid, they are definitely bad. Throw them out immediately.
Can I freeze tacos?
Yes, the best method would be freezing tortillas and the fillings separately. Simply thaw and reheat them shortly before assembling and serving.
Take Away Message
Whether you have to deal with some leftovers from Taco Bell or yesterday’s dinner, you can always reheat tacos for another time. Although not as straightforward as reheating other meals, with several easy steps, you will bring back the tasty meals to the table.
First, remove all cold ingredients. Next, remove and reheat the fillings. Third, reheat the shells. Finally, put all the heated-up elements back together, top with fresh vegetables and your favorite condiments!
You can also follow our guides above to reheat Taco Bell tacos, so they can taste as close as freshly prepared ones!
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
