You’ve Been Microwaving Your Food the Wrong Way—Here’s What to Do Instead

Does anything really beat leftovers? Let’s be honest, almost everything tastes better the next day (though you definitely shouldn’t be eating these items as leftovers). For most of us, the easiest way to reheat leftovers is in the microwave—and unfortunately, that never goes according to plan.

From cold spots to soggy rice, microwaves are our worst enemy when it comes to leftovers. But as per usual, TikTok has come to the rescue to show us how to properly use a microwave!

How to Reheat Leftovers in a Microwave

TikTok user @howdoesshe gave us this ingenious hack to evenly warm everything from pasta to rice dishes. Instead of dumping your leftovers in a pile in a microwave-safe container (like glass), you need to spread them out in a ring, leaving plenty of space in the middle. This prevents cold patches and uneven warming, giving you sizzling hot food in a minute or two.

@howdoessheChange the way you microwave! So simple! #lifehacks #momhacks #kitchenhacks #cookinghacks♬ Blue Blood – Heinz Kiessling & Various Artists

TikTok user @sidneyraz has another handy tip on where to place your container once you’ve got your leftovers spread out. According to him, it’s best to put your container on the outside of the microwave tray instead of the center. Because microwaves distribute energy unevenly, an off-center placement ensures your food hits more columns that allow it to heat up!

@sidneyrazi guess in the center is wrong #inmy30s #microwave #leftovers♬ original sound – sidneyraz

Reheating All Your Leftovers the Right Way

While this trick works for rice, pasta or grain-based dishes that can be spread out, you might be wondering how to reheat pizza, chicken or even egg-based dishes like quiches. We’ve got you covered with handy microwave hacks to make sure you know how to properly use a microwave for all your leftovers. And good reheating starts with good storage, so make sure you know how to store leftover food, too.