What is the best way to re-serve day old meat balls?
I've noticed that meatballs are one type of food that often tastes much better the next day. So whenever I make meatballs, I make lots of extras and put them in my fridge to allow the flavors to "develop".
However, when I warm the meatballs up in the microwave they sometimes get dry or have slightly tough and rubbery spots -- especially on outside edges.
What is the best technique to re-warm / re-serve meatballs that you have made the previous day (or a couple days prior) so they stay moist and delicious?
Best Answer
My preferred method by far would be heating them in a pot along with some kind of sauce.
Failing that, I think I might try putting them in a tightly covered pot in the oven along with just a little water (just a tablespoon or so)--that would gently heat them and also keep them moist.
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Quick Answer about "What is the best way to re-serve day old meat balls?"
The best way to reheat meatballs WITHOUT sauce. If you don't plan to serve the meatballs with sauce or gravy, reheat them in the oven at 300°F. Place the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, then cover them with foil to prevent drying, and heat until warmed through.How do you reheat leftover meatballs?
Preheat the oven to 300\xb0F. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet, then cover them with foil. This process prevents the meatballs from drying. Heat them for about 15 minutes or until warmed through.How do you reheat meatballs to keep them moist?
Put the meatballs in a microwave-safe bowl. Set the microwave to 50% power (if possible). Cover the bowl with a pierced plastic wrap to keep the moisture in. Microwave the meatballs in 30 seconds intervals until they're heated through.Can you eat meatballs the next day?
MEATBALLS, COOKED - HOMEMADE OR TAKE-OUTProperly stored, cooked meatballs will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked meatballs, freeze them; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.How do you moisten dry meatballs?
Appropriate moistening ingredients include ice water, milk, tomato juice, broth and shredded vegetables or vegetable purees. Moisture-retaining ingredients are starchy binding agents such as breadcrumbs, bread soaked in milk, cooked rice or even a small amount of leftover white sauce.Juicy MEATBALL RECIPE - How to Cook Italian Meatballs
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Answer 2
If you can, instead of using the microwave put them in the pot with the sauce that you made and add a bit of extra water. Carefully move them around so they get warmed up evenly and do not lose shape.
You can achieve similar results by putting all together in the microwave for half the time, then toss them around, and put them in for the rest of the time.
Answer 3
Microwave method- Use a defrost setting like #2 instead of #10 full power, every microwave is different, I also reheat steak and Prime rib this way and it is excellent, be patient and it will turn out nicely. P.s I am in the Restaurant biz..
Stove Top- Reheat in the sauce if you have it on low, if not reheat in a light beef bouillon water on low or about 140 degrees.
Oven- place into oven on sheet pan with a splash of water cover with saran wrap, heat at 225 degrees for 25 minutes or so.
Answer 4
I can't yet add to this, however my meatballs are gourmet and any tomato based sauce would lower their standing.
What I'm thinking, even though I have not done this yet, is to reserve the grease left over from cooking them and reheating with that, probably in the oven.
Up to this point I have reheated in the microwave. At work they do this as well, but then the meatballs sit in sauce in the steam table all day long.
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