If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ve undeniably consumed seafood boil.
The perfect seafood boil is a seafood dish consisting of various kinds of seafood, with the most popular options being crab, shrimp, and oysters.
A traditional seafood boil is boiled in a bag or a stock/boiling water seasoned with one’s favorite herbs and spices.
However, there are many seafood boil recipes and many variations that people enjoy. For example, low country boil contains shrimp since it’s from the “low country.”
A seafood boil is typically a rather large plate of food, rendering plenty of leftovers.
This leads many people to wonder – how do you reheat seafood boil?
Let’s find out!
How to Reheat Seafood Boil
When it comes to seafood boils, reheating the right way is critical. Improper reheating can cause the contents to become rubbery with an unpleasant odor and flavor.
Remember that the technique for reheating a seafood boil will differ depending on whether you need to reheat a seafood boil with the bag or without it.
The two best methods for reheating seafood boils are the oven or stovetop.
1. How to Reheat Seafood Boil in the Oven
The oven is the best choice when it comes to reheating seafood boil. The low temperature will allow the leftover seafood boil to warm up gradually, reducing the risk of an unpalatable texture and taste.
How to Reheat Seafood Boil Without the Bag in the Oven:
- Heat the oven to the lowest temperature (typically around 250F-275F).
- Place the seafood without a bag onto a lightly greased baking dish or casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the leftover seafood boil with olive oil and water.
- Cover the entirety of the contents with aluminum foil.
- Place in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove, wait until cooled, and consume!
How to Reheat Seafood Boil Bag in the Oven:
- Heat the oven to the lowest temperature (typically around 250F-275F).
- Make sure that the seafood boil bag has enough liquid. If not, you will need to add more water or stock to the bag before you reheat the seafood boil.
- Place the seafood boil bag on a baking sheet.
- Cover with a piece of aluminum foil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove and enjoy the leftover seafood.
2. How to Reheat Seafood Boil on the Stove
The best way to reheat seafood boil is in the oven, but the stovetop can work in a pinch, too.
The benefit of the stovetop method to cook seafood boil is that you don’t have to wait for it to preheat or heat the entire kitchen.
If you’re going to reheat a seafood boil in a bag, make sure the bag is 100% boil-safe. Not all bags are created equally, and the last thing you want to do is ruin your leftovers.
How to Reheat Seafood Boil Without the Bag on the Stove:
- Pour the leftover “soup” from the original seafood boil into a pot.
- You can pour water and/or stock if there are no leftover liquid contents. Make sure to season the liquid with your favorite seasonings and spices to enhance the flavor. Consider using purified water.
- Bring the water/stock/soup to a boil.
- Add leftover shrimp boil to the boiling water/stock.
- Turn the temperature down to low.
- Cook for around ten minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl and eat!
How to Reheat Seafood Boil Bag on the Stove:
- Bring water to a boil. Make sure there is enough to cover the seafood boil bag.
- Once boiling, add the seafood boil bag and turn the heat to low. Ensure the bag is sealed tightly so water does not get inside the bag and cause excessive moisture.
- Allow the seafood to steam for about ten minutes.
- Remove the contents, pour them into a bowl, and enjoy.
Tips for Success
Now you know the best way to reheat a seafood boil, with and without the bag. To ensure you’re reheating food with the best results, I’ve added some handy tips for success.
1. Avoid the Microwave
Although the microwave is a convenient place to reheat almost anything, you should refrain from using the microwave to reheat the seafood boil.
The high temperatures of the microwave are simply too hot and all-encompassing, which could be detrimental to your perfectly cooked seafood boil, causing a slimy texture.
While some websites might share how to reheat the seafood boil in the microwave using a microwave-safe bowl, I would only suggest using it (and the air fryer) as a last resort.
There is simply too high of a chance of ending up with rubbery, off-putting leftovers. Yuck!
2. Make Sure You’re Reheating Seafood Boil – Not Re-Cooking
The goal of the reheating process is to bring the seafood back to an enjoyable temperature – not cook it again.
That said, always use a lower temperature when placing the seafood boil in the oven.
When using a pot of boiling water, stock, or soup, ensure the temperature is turned to low immediately after adding the leftovers.
3. Add Fresh Boiled Eggs, if Using
Some recipes utilize boiled eggs, which ups the flavor and texture beautifully.
However, you shouldn’t reheat boiled eggs. Instead, opt for freshly boiled eggs. Not only will it taste better, but it is also much safer to consume this way.
4. Add More Spices and Seasonings
There is nothing wrong with kicking up the flavor – especially when it comes to leftover seafood.
That said, go ahead and toss some of your favorite spices and seasonings into the bag or pot of water. Your taste buds will thank you.
FAQs
Can you eat leftover seafood boil?
You can eat an entire dish of leftover seafood boil as long as it’s reheated and consumed within four days.
Much like other recipes, such as softer meat and fried food, you must consume it within a particular time. Otherwise, it will go rancid and can make you ill with a belly ache (or worse).
How do you reheat fried fish?
Reheating fried seafood is a bit different than reheating boils, such as crawfish boil and different seafood boils.
To reheat, turn the oven on to 350F. Place fried food (shrimp, crab, tilapia) on top of a wire rack on a cooking sheet. Heat until properly reheated, about seven minutes, or until internal temperature reads 150F.
Consider placing parchment paper on the cooking sheet for easy clean-up.
Serve immediately on a serving plate with your favorite side dishes.
