How to Reheat Fajitas — 3 Easy Methods You Can’t Go Wrong With!
Despite being overshadowed by tacos and burritos, Fajitas is one Mexican dish that I personally enjoy. The spicy meat combination with vegetables like onions and bell peppers make for a wholesome meal without the guilt of eating too much or regretting it later on in life. So, when left with extras after making them, they’re not just going to go stale, here are 4 of the easiest ways to reheat fajitas.
Fajitas are versatile, whether they’re eaten for brunch or dinner. Still, the worst way to eat them is cold! The tortilla crisps and hardens when it’s left out overnight – NOT exactly appetizing.
So, when it’s time to make your fajitas, what’s a better way than with a new, fresh reheating method?
After trying a few different reheating methods, it’s safe to declare that these three methods seem the best when want to reheat fajitas. We’ll just have to see which one you like best!
Related post: 5 Best Ways to Reheat Nachos
3 Methods to Reheat Fajitas
If you have leftover fajitas, always ensure that you reheat the meat and vegetables separately and the taco shell individually. This is especially important if the leftovers are from a restaurant since they come with the taco shell’s cold toppings.
Here are a few different reheating methods that you can try for your fajitas.
#1 Reheat Fajitas On the Stovetop
One of the most convenient methods to reheat fajitas is on the stovetop. It restores the natural freshness and crispiness of the meat or vegetables that you had sauteed earlier. If you’re making shrimp-based fajitas, add them in last so they can maintain their juicy flavors!
- Take a non-stick pan, place it over medium heat and let the pan heat up for a few seconds.
- Add 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil and let it heat up.
- Once the oil is hot enough, you can add the fajita mixture and toss it around in the pan for 3-4 minutes, making sure you constantly move around the mixture to avoid sticking or burning.
- If you find the taste a little dull, add another pinch of fajitas seasoning to liven up the flavors again.
- Once everything is reheated, you can then fill the fajitas mixture inside a taco or tortilla and add the toppings of your choice.
#2 Reheat Fajitas In the Microwave
If you have very little time in your hands, microwaving your fajitas mixture is one of the best ways to go. However, reheating the fajitas in the microwave releases a lot of oil in the pan, especially from the meat and the vegetables. No worries though, just strain or dab any excess oil from your dish and you’ll be good to go!
- Transfer your leftover fajitas into a microwave-safe bowl and spread it out evenly.
- Microwave the fajitas for 30-45 seconds and check if it has been reheated thoroughly or not.
- If the center hasn’t been reheated, put it back in the microwave for 30 seconds more.
#3 Reheat Fajitas In the Oven
Reheating the fajitas in the oven helps restore the traditional sizzle to the dish that you tasted when it came fresh out of the pan. However, the reheating process is a little time-consuming in the oven, which means that you’d have to wait it out with patience.
Here’s what you can do:
- Take an oven dish or tray and line it with some aluminum foil for even reheating.
- In the meantime, you can preheat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes.
- Spread out the fajitas on the oven dish evenly for faster reheating.
- Once the oven is done preheating, you can then take the oven dish and bake it for 20-30 minutes, flipping the ingredients halfway through the baking process.
What to Avoid When Reheating Fajitas?
Fajitas has a pretty robust flavor and contains a mixture of tastes and textures, which means that the reheating process needs to be done cautiously. The reheating process depends on whether you just have the fajitas mixture or the same stuffed inside a tortilla or taco with the cold toppings.
If it is the latter case, ensure that you avoid reheating the fajitas with the cold toppings because the lettuce and the sour cream will wilt and affect the taste of the dish. Instead, remove the cold toppings and reheat the meat and vegetable mixture separately and then reassemble your tacos for that fresh taste and flavor.
How to Store Leftover Fajitas?
While it’s not recommended to freeze your restaurant’s leftover fajitas for more than a day or two, you can freeze and store the homemade leftover fajitas for a little longer. However, the storage process is extremely crucial to follow.
Improper storage can spoil the fajitas and affect the taste of the dish as well.
Here’s what you can do for safe storage:
- Let the leftover fajitas cool down to room temperature before storing them.
- Once they are cold enough, transfer them to an airtight container to prevent the moisture from seeping into the container.
- In case you have them stuffed inside a tortilla or taco, you can wrap them inside an aluminum foil cover to preserve them for longer periods.
- You can store the leftover fajitas for 3-4 days at max. However, try not to freeze them as it may affect the texture of the vegetables in the mixture.
Conclusion
There are various methods of reheating leftover fajitas. All you have to do is find the best way for you and stick to the same. Keep in mind that you should finish up the leftovers in 3-4 days and not wait for more since prolonged refrigeration makes the meat dry, and the vegetables lose their taste and crunch.