Q: I love lamb, everything about its texture and how delicious it tastes, but can you reheat lamb and still enjoy it?
A: When it comes to reheating lamb, there’s a simple storing process you can utilize that will lock-in those juicy flavors and make reheating lamb as good as the first time around. Once the meal is over, gradually lower the temperature in the leftover lamb by leaving it out at room temperature for about 90 minutes before you place it in the refrigerator. If you plan on eating the leftover lamb within three days, simply leave it covered in the refrigerator, and if you plan on eating it at a much later time? After 24-hours of being refrigerated, place it in a freezer bag, and place it in the freezer for up to two months. You should always fully defrost lamb before reheating. Depending on the available appliances in your kitchen, there are various methods on how to reheat lamb.
The Microwave Method
In order to keep the lamb from drying out while using the microwave, there are basically two things you need to do here. One, keep the lamb moist either with leftover broth or water, and secondly, turn the plate halfway. Since microwaves cook food by heating molecules, it’s important to cover the lamb in order to keep it moist and trap the steam. Heat on high for two minutes, then flip the lamb or move the plate with one minute left, which helps to distribute the heat evenly. Let stand for one minute, and be careful when removing the cover because steam burns and bon appétit.
The Oven Method
The oven is a good choice on how to reheat lamb, but it can take some time to bring it back up to temperature. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place in a metal or glass baking dish, and cover the leftover lamb with aluminum foil. Cook for 10 minutes on one side, flip the lamb, and cook for an additional 10 minutes on the other side; however, depending on the thickness of the lamb chop, it could be ready before the 20 minute cooking time is up. One good way to check if the reheated lamb is ready is to eat is to use a thermometer. Once the thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit for internal temperature, it’s ready to take out.
The Skillet Method
Using a skillet on a stovetop is a great and fast way to reheat lamb; however, it’s also important that you don’t dry out the lamb by cooking it too hot or too fast. Preheat the skillet over medium heat or flame, and add little butter or oil until it starts to brown or boil. Place the lamb chops in the skillet for a couple of minutes on each side, then flip for another 30 seconds on each side. Once the lamb chops are fully reheated, remove and enjoy.
The BBQ Grill Method
A lot of people ask, can you reheat lamb on a BBQ grill? The answer is absolutely, and it’s one of the best ways to recapture those first memories. Simply, preheat your BBQ grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray either the grill with non-stick cooking oil or apply your favorite sauces or marinades to the leftover lamb chops. Place in the grill with the cover down, cook on each side for five minutes and place them on the top rack with the cover open for an additional five minutes. This will make the lamb chops tender and juicy and as good as the first time around.