You can make risotto in a flash but what if you’ve ended up with leftovers? Can you reheat risotto? If yes, then how?
Risotto is one of the most famous Italian rice dishes. Today it is made all around the world. The dish is traditionally made by sauteing arborio rice in olive oil along with garlic, onions, veggies, and herbs, then cooking them in white wine and meat or vegetable broth.
No matter how deliciously creamy and comforting risotto can be, having leftovers is inevitable. In this post, I’ll walk you through the proper storage and reheating methods for risotto that you can follow, so you can enjoy your favorite Italian rice dish for the second time around.
What are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
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Can you eat leftover risotto?
Of course! As long as your leftover risotto is properly stored and reheated, it is safe to eat.
Risotto is a perishable food so take note to not let this dish sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. If it’s hotter than 90°F, even an hour is enough for your risotto to go bad.
According to USDA, temperatures between 40°F and 140°F can result in the rapid growth of pathogenic bacteria in your food. This can put you at a huge risk of food-borne illness so make sure to store your leftovers properly as soon as possible.
Can you freeze risotto?
Yes! Once your risotto has completely cooled down to room temperature, immediately transfer your leftovers to airtight containers or resealable bags then freeze or store them in the fridge.
You can store risotto in the freezer for several months and in the fridge for two to four days (depending on the ingredients).
As mentioned above, you have to remember that your food should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. So, if you have plenty of leftovers, pour the risotto onto a cookie sheet so it will cool down quickly.
It’s also highly recommended to divide the risotto into several portions so you can thaw and reheat only what you need. Refreezing and reheating risotto twice, or any food, for that matter is not safe.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need for Storing and Reheating Risotto
Before you continue, you might want to take note of these kitchen essentials. Aside from giving you tips on how you can reheat risotto, I’ve also compiled a list of shopping links here that will be useful for you.
Take this chance to double check your kitchen to make sure that you are already equipped with these tools. If you are missing something, you can easily order any of these items on Amazon with just a few clicks.
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- Brilliance Pantry Airtight Food Storage
- Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags
- Toshiba Microwave Oven
- Steamer Basket
- Nonstick Deep Frying Pan Skillet
- Kitchen Utensil Set
- Glass Mixing Bowl Set
- Glad® Press’n Seal® Plastic Food Wrap
Is risotto easy to reheat?
Yes. There are several ways to reheat risotto so you have plenty of options to choose from.
You can reheat risotto using the stove, microwave oven, or steamer basket. If you have frozen risotto, don’t forget to thaw it first so it will be easier to reheat.
To thaw your frozen risotto, simply transfer it to the fridge and let it defrost overnight. If you need to thaw it quickly, you can also just put it in the microwave and use the defrost setting.
How do you reheat homemade risotto?
The only thing you have to remember in reheating risotto is to avoid letting it dry out. Make it a point to prepare butter, white wine, broth (vegetable or meat, whichever you used in your recipe), and cheese if you want to keep your risotto creamy and delicious when reheating.
Using the Stove
Here’s a great tip to reheat risotto on the stove: add 1/4 cup of broth for every cup of risotto you plan to reheat in a nonstick pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and add the risotto. Stir it well for five minutes and add butter, cheese, white wine, or water to make it creamier.
Using the Microwave
The simplest and quickest way to reheat risotto is by using a microwave. Transfer your risotto to a microwavable container or glass bowl then add broth and white wine (or water) and microwave on medium heat for about four minutes.
To ensure that the risotto is evenly heated, stir it from time to time. Once done, check if it’s completely hot. If yes, add butter and heat it again to make it more buttery and moist, but if not, reheat it again for a minute or so until you think it is hot enough.
Using the Steamer Baskets
You can also try heating risotto in your steamer basket. First, place the steamer basket in a pot with a little water. Transfer your risotto to a bowl and put it in the steamer basket. Cover the pot and let it steam for a few minutes until your risotto is hot enough. This method does not dry out the risotto!
Need new recipe ideas?
Now that you know how to reheat risotto, you might also want to explore new delicious recipes. These fun roundups of recipes are great for completing your meal plans and finding new ways to prepare your favorite dishes.