Q. We like to make roast beef on weekends but often end up with leftovers. How can you reheat beef without drying it out?
A. You definitely can reheat beef. It is especially important to first rest your beef as soon as it comes out of the oven or off the grill after cooking it. Don’t slice into it for at least 10 minutes. This will ensure that the beef or roast will remain juicy and will store better so that it doesn’t dry out too much when you reheat it.
Allow the beef to come to room temperature before you wrap it well and place it in the refrigerator. If you decided to freeze the beef, place it in the refrigerator the night before you intend to reheat it so that it can defrost slowly.
There are several methods for reheating beef, depending on which appliances you have in your kitchen. Let’s explore how to reheat beef.
Oven Method
Your oven is a good appliance for reheating beef. It is best to do this low and slow. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the beef in a glass or metal baking dish and cover tightly with tin foil. Bake the beef for approximately 10 minutes. Flip it over, cover it, and cook for another 10 minutes. An instant-read meat thermometer can help you with the timing. 135°F is a good internal temperature for reheated beef.
Stovetop Method
Personally, I prefer to reheat beef in a cast-iron skillet over pretty high heat. I already know that the medium rare quality will be sacrificed using this method. So, I surrender to that and pretty much char the beef so it is crispy and takes on a whole new flavor profile and texture.
Heat your skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add a pat of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil. Slice the beef into 1/4 inch thick pieces, or cut into 1-inch cubes. As soon as the fat starts to smoke, toss in the beef and cook until you start to see a bit of char or crust. This is the tasty stuff. It will only take a couple of minutes. Stir or flip often. I like to serve stovetop reheated beef with steak sauce or teriyaki sauce on the side. These crusty bits are also terrific in tacos or on top of a rice bowl.
Microwave Method
Can you reheat beef in a microwave? The microwave is always a little tricky for reheating certain foods. Red meat can dry out if moisture isn’t added. It is a good idea to add a couple of spoonsful of beef broth to the beef. Also, cover the container that the beef is in so that the moisture doesn’t splatter. Heat the beef for approximately 2 minutes on high, being sure to rotate or flip it after 1 minute.
Be aware that you are basically steaming the meat when it is reheated in the microwave. A rare piece of beef will likely become medium-well to well done. But, it will still taste good. Be careful because the beef will be pretty hot when you remove it from the microwave.
Air Fryer Method
If you are a gadget person, you might own an air fryer. This appliance is awesome for reheating stuff quickly. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Coat the outside of your leftover beef roast with extra virgin olive oil. Place the roast beef portion in the basket or on the crisper plate of the air fryer. Push the bucket inside and heat for 1-1/2 minutes. Turn the roast portion over and continue to reheat for an additional 1-1/2 minutes.
Additional Ideas
Now you know the basics of how to reheat beef. Keep in mind that you can always cut up the beef and make a hearty stew, a Texas-style chili, or a pot pie. You can also slice the beef very thinly, dip it in hot beef jus or broth, and make a classic French dip sandwich.