While we’d love to pop leftover pizza or pasta into the microwave, some foods simply don’t survive a trip in our favorite appliance. Here are 10 foods to stop putting in the microwave and 10 to indulge in more often.
1. Hard-Boiled Eggs
If you didn’t already know, let us be the first to tell you: don’t put eggs in the microwave. Whether in or out of the shell, hard-boiled eggs tend to explode in there, which is not only incredibly loud but messy, too.
2. Grapes
Unless you’re itching for an at-home science experience, keep grapes away from the microwave. Side-stepping the scientific jargon, all you need to know is that microwaved grapes produce plasma, which is a form of ionized gas, that can cause sparks or small flames in your appliance.
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3. Water
Why wait for the kettle to boil when you can just microwave a mug of water? The idea sounds fine on paper, but in practice, you’re left with superheated water that can actually explode and potentially cause significant burns. Properly microwaving water requires precautions like the right container and consistent stirring.
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4. Leafy Greens
You already know tinfoil in the microwave is a bad idea, but did you know that leafy greens are nature’s tinfoil? They are in the microwave! Classic greens like spinach and kale can cause sparks in the microwave, so keep them out of there.
5. Sauce
Aim to reheat sauce on the stovetop over the microwave—uncovered sauce will splatter everywhere and covered sauce can potentially explode upon opening. Microwave-safe containers can help, but sauce belongs on the stove.
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6. Pasta
Reheating pasta in the microwave is a quick way to rubberize noodles. Not only that, but noodles dry out enough in the fridge, so drying them further in the microwave leaves you with a pretty undesirable meal. Much like sauce, you can reheat pasta on the stove for better flavor.
7. French Fries
Reheated fried foods leave you with soggy leftovers that are devoid of flavor and consistency. If you can’t part with those fries then stick ‘em in the oven. You won’t need more than a couple of minutes to bring them to temperature on a low heat, leaving you with a much better result.
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8. Meat
The issue with reheating meat is that you want to do so thoroughly to avoid any contaminants or bacteria. The thing is, though, that meat dries in the microwave after too long. To avoid that, you can try adding a touch of water to the meat and cover it with a microwave-safe lid to trap moisture.
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9. Hot Peppers
Capsaicin is the compound responsible for spicy foods’ heat—reheating peppers in the microwave releases all that capsaicin and forms a kind of gas that burns your throat, lungs, and eyes. If you need to reheat peppers, toss them in a pan on the stovetop.
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10. Pizza
Just like with french fries, pizza doesn’t do well in the microwave either. Reheated slices are typically soggy and you’ll need the Jaws of Life to rip through the crust—pizza does far better in the oven.
While there are some foods you shouldn’t make in the microwave, plenty still hold their weight!
1. Oatmeal
Making oatmeal in the microwave is a fast, convenient breakfast option that’s ready in just a few minutes. Even better is that you can also control the consistency by adjusting how much water or milk you add.
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2. Soup
So long as you have an appropriate container, soup is a great microwave option. You won’t have to worry about any lost flavor or consistency, and it only takes a couple of minutes to get the temperature you want.
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3. Mac and Cheese
If you need a quick meal, mac and cheese is for you. Whether it’s an instant cup or homemade, this classic comfort food is simple and can be made in one container, meaning you don’t have to worry about too many dishes either.
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4. Popcorn
Who knew popcorn was the perfect microwave snack? Well, everyone, but even so! Popcorn is so much more than the bagged variety, too, because you can always sprinkle in some cinnamon or caramel to spice things up.
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5. Mug Dishes
Cakes, cookies, and even eggs can be made in your favorite mug—they’re simple, don’t require more than a handful of ingredients, and only take a couple of minutes. They make perfect dishes for anyone in a hurry or an easy dish.
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6. Broccoli
Steaming veggies in the microwave saves you time and dishes, and all you need is a bit of water to get the job done. Best of all, vegetables retain more nutrients when you cook them in the microwave rather than other methods.
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7. Corn on the Cob
Microwaving corn on the cob steams it perfectly, leaving you a juicy side dish that’s delicious and nutritious. Don’t worry about your appliance zapping away the natural sweetness either because corn holds up nicely in the microwave.
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8. Quesadillas
Quesadillas make a fast but filling meal, even in the microwave. You really don’t need anything other than cheese, tortillas, and maybe some bell peppers to bring this meal to life, none of which will suffer in the microwave.
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9. Nachos
They may not be restaurant quality, but nachos are a simple meal you can whip up in no time. Cheese has no issues in the microwave either, meaning you can still include all the good stuff.
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10. Rice
Reheating rice helps restore its moisture, which keeps it fluffy and fresh-tasting. To ensure you retain your dish’s moisture, add a touch of water and cover the container for even heating without anything drying out.
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