21 Items Best Eaten Fresh and Not Reheated the Next Day

Reheating leftovers might seem convenient, but certain foods can pose health risks or lose their texture and flavor when warmed up again.

Some dishes are better left untouched the next day. Understanding which foods should never be reheated can save you from potential foodborne illnesses and culinary disappointment.

Here are the top foods that should be enjoyed fresh or stored correctly to avoid reheating hazards.

Rice

Mexican burrito filled with rice beans guacamole salsa and diced tomatoes Espiritu Visual Shutterstock
image credit: Espiritu Visual/Shutterstock

Reheating rice can be dangerous if not done correctly, as it can harbor Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning. When cooked rice is left at room temperature for too long, these bacteria can multiply, leading to toxins that aren’t destroyed by heat. It’s best to eat rice immediately after cooking or cool it quickly and store it in the fridge for no more than a day.

Chicken

Chicken and waffles with syrup breakfast SYED IBAD RM Shutterstock
image credit: SYED IBAD RM/Shutterstock

Chicken can become a breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter if not reheated to the right temperature. Reheating doesn’t always kill these bacteria, especially if the chicken isn’t heated evenly. To avoid foodborne illness, it’s safer to consume chicken fresh or thoroughly heat it to 165°F if you must reheat it.

Potatoes

Bubble and Squeak Fried leftover vegetables and potatoes Jack7 7 Shutterstock
image credit: Jack7_7/Shutterstock

Potatoes can develop botulism-causing bacteria if not stored correctly before reheating. When cooked potatoes are left out at room temperature, especially when wrapped in foil, they can become a breeding ground for Clostridium botulinum. To avoid this risk, refrigerate potatoes promptly and reheat them thoroughly.

Eggs

Indonesian food with rice stir fried with vegetables with fried egg Nasi Goreng Aris Setya Shutterstock
image credit: Aris Setya /Shutterstock

Reheated eggs can become rubbery and unappetizing, but more importantly, they can pose a health risk. Eggs are prone to developing bacteria like Salmonella if not stored and reheated correctly. To enjoy eggs safely, it’s better to consume them fresh rather than reheating them the next day.

Mushrooms

Mushroom beef stroganoff food Plateresca Shutterstock
image credit: Plateresca/Shutterstock

Mushrooms are delicate and can spoil quickly, making reheating them a risky move. The proteins in mushrooms can break down and form toxins when reheated, especially if they’ve been stored improperly. For the best flavor and safety, eat cooked mushrooms immediately or store them in the fridge for no more than 24 hours.

Fish

Grilled Barramundi fish with a side of broccoli and asparagus and lemon Adam Calaitzis Shutterstock
image credit: Adam Calaitzis/Shutterstock

Reheating fish can lead to an unpleasant smell and taste, but it can also pose health risks. Fish is high in protein and can develop toxins when reheated, particularly if it isn’t stored correctly. To avoid food poisoning, it’s safer to eat fresh fish and avoid reheating leftovers.

Spinach

Spicy stew with lima beans chorizo and spinach with bread AS Foodstudio Shutterstock
image credit: AS Foodstudio/Shutterstock

Spinach, like other leafy greens, can become contaminated with nitrates, which can turn into harmful nitrites when reheated. These nitrites can be potentially carcinogenic, especially when spinach is reheated multiple times. For optimal health, it’s best to eat spinach fresh or consume it cold if stored properly.

Celery

Bowl of fresh celery sticks vegetables Pixel Shot Shutterstock
image credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

Celery contains nitrates, which can convert to nitrites when reheated, posing a potential health risk. This is particularly concerning when celery is used in soups or stews that are reheated. To avoid this issue, consider removing celery before reheating or simply enjoy it cold.

Beets

Woman Gardening Agriculture Farming Beets root vegetables bbernard Shutterstock
image credit: bbernard/Shutterstock

Beets are rich in nitrates, which can convert into harmful nitrites when reheated. This conversion can be particularly concerning if beets are stored and reheated multiple times. To retain their nutritional benefits and avoid risks, it’s best to consume beets fresh or chilled.

Oil-Based Foods

Bowl of Deep Fried Wisconsin cheese curds with dipping sauce Brent Hofacker Shutterstock
image credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Foods cooked with oil, such as fried foods, can become rancid when reheated, leading to the production of harmful free radicals. These free radicals can be damaging to your health, increasing the risk of inflammation and other issues. To keep your meals safe, avoid reheating oil-based foods and instead enjoy them fresh.

Pasta with Cream Sauce

Tuna casserole with pasta and peas from my point of view Shutterstock
image credit: from my point of view/Shutterstock

Cream-based pasta dishes can separate and become oily when reheated, losing their creamy texture. Additionally, dairy in the sauce can spoil quickly and become a breeding ground for bacteria. For the best taste and safety, it’s advisable to eat these dishes fresh rather than reheating them.

Shellfish

Mediterranean risotto with shrimp mussels octopus and clams Esin Deniz Shutterstock
image credit: Esin Deniz/Shutterstock

Reheating shellfish, like shrimp or scallops, can lead to rubbery textures and a higher risk of foodborne illness. Shellfish can harbor bacteria that multiply quickly, especially if not stored correctly. To avoid potential health risks, it’s best to consume shellfish immediately after cooking.

Turkey

Baked Kentucky Hot Brown with Bacon Chicken Turkey and Mornay Cream Sauce Brent Hofacker Shutterstock
image credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Turkey, especially if reheated multiple times, can dry out and lose its flavor. More importantly, improperly stored or reheated turkey can harbor bacteria like Listeria, which can lead to serious health issues. To enjoy turkey safely, reheat it only once and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Sauces Thickened with Flour

Welsh Rarebit Melted cheese sauce served over toasted bread Jack7 7 Shutterstock
image credit: Jack7_7/Shutterstock

Sauces thickened with flour can change in texture and flavor when reheated, often becoming clumpy or separating. Additionally, if these sauces are left out for too long before reheating, they can develop bacteria that aren’t destroyed by heat. For best results, consume these sauces immediately or store them safely and reheat them thoroughly.

Bread

pita bread sandwich filled with fresh falafel balls tahini sauce uniqueton Shutterstock
image credit: uniqueton/Shutterstock

Reheating bread, especially in the microwave, can make it tough and chewy, losing its fresh, soft texture. While it might not pose a significant health risk, the quality of the bread deteriorates significantly when reheated. It’s best to enjoy bread fresh or at room temperature rather than reheating it.

Fried Rice

Chinese restaurant fried rice chef Twinsterphoto Shutterstock
image credit: Twinsterphoto/Shutterstock

Fried rice can be a risky food to reheat, as it combines the dangers of reheating rice with those of other ingredients like eggs and meat. The combination of ingredients increases the risk of bacteria growth, especially if the dish isn’t stored properly. To avoid foodborne illness, it’s best to eat fried rice immediately or refrigerate it promptly and reheat it only once.

Pizza

Detroit Style Pizza food pepperoni Brent Hofacker Shutterstock
image credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Reheating pizza, especially if it has been left out at room temperature, can lead to bacterial growth. While many people reheat pizza without issue, it’s important to ensure that it’s been stored correctly to avoid potential health risks. For the best taste and safety, consider eating leftover pizza cold or reheating it in an oven to ensure even heating.

Soups with Cream or Milk

cauliflower potato cream with parsley and pine nuts soup bowl PiraPora Shutterstock
image credit: PiraPora/Shutterstock

Soups made with cream or milk can curdle when reheated, leading to an unappealing texture. Additionally, dairy-based soups can spoil quickly and develop bacteria if not stored properly. To enjoy your soup at its best, it’s advisable to reheat it gently and only once.

Pot Pies

Chicken pot pie with vegetables Africa Studio Shuttestock
image credit: Africa Studio/Shuttestock

Reheating pot pies, especially those with a creamy filling, can lead to uneven heating, leaving some parts undercooked and others overcooked. The crust can also become soggy or overly tough when reheated. For the best results, enjoy pot pies fresh or reheat them carefully in an oven to maintain their texture and flavor.

Quiche

Quiche with eggs mushrooms onion and mozzarella cheese TYNZA Shutterstock
image credit: TYNZA/Shutterstock

Quiche, particularly those made with a lot of eggs and dairy, can become rubbery and lose its delicate texture when reheated. Additionally, if the quiche hasn’t been stored correctly, it can develop bacteria that pose a health risk. To maintain the quality and safety of quiche, consider eating it cold or reheating it gently.

Lasagna

Lasagna with meat sauce bechamel and cheese Watch And Rewatch Shutterstock
image credit: Watch And Rewatch/Shutterstock

Lasagna, especially when made with meat and cheese, can become greasy and lose its appealing texture when reheated. The layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese can also heat unevenly, leading to potential health risks if not reheated thoroughly. For the best experience, reheat lasagna in an oven to ensure even heating and preserve its flavor.

Tofu

grilled tofu and dragon fruit buddha bowl color blocking cabbage cucumber chickpeas quinoa Joshua Resnick Shutterstock
image credit: Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

Tofu can change in texture and flavor when reheated, often becoming tough or rubbery. Additionally, if tofu has been marinated or cooked in sauce, the reheating process can cause the flavors to break down, leading to a less enjoyable dish. For the best taste, consume tofu fresh or use it in cold dishes the next day.

Sourdough Bread

Sourdough Starter Bread Zagorulko Inka Shutterstock
image credit: Zagorulko Inka/Shutterstock

Reheating sourdough bread, particularly in the microwave, can cause it to become tough and chewy, losing its characteristic crusty exterior and soft interior. While it’s not a health risk, the quality of the bread is significantly compromised when reheated. To enjoy sourdough at its best, toast it lightly or eat it fresh.

Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs food dinner OlgaBombologna Shutterstock
image credit: OlgaBombologna/Shutterstock

Meatballs, especially those made with a mix of meats and breadcrumbs, can become dry and lose their flavor when reheated. The risk of uneven heating also increases, which can leave some parts undercooked and others overcooked. For the best texture and taste, it’s advisable to reheat meatballs slowly in a sauce or broth to retain moisture.

Joe Frankel

Joe Frankel is a seasoned writer with a degree in Philosophy who enjoys covering entertainment and money topics. He's a coffee aficionado who enjoys roasting his own beans and making cold brew at home.