When under the weather or have a terrible case of sniffles, nothing tastes better than a steaming bowl of homemade broth.
The rich flavors and aromas will soothe your sore throat and warm you from head to toe.
While it’s not difficult to make bone broth from scratch, sometimes you just don’t have time to simmer bones for hours on end.
If that’s the case, don’t fret: you can quickly reheat store-bought or refrigerated broth in the microwave without losing flavor or nutrients.
Here’s how to reheat bone broth in microwave.
Pour the desired amount of broth into a sizeable microwave-safe bowl and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Place in your microwave and nuke on high in 30-second bursts for 1-2 minutes, stirring between each burst. Continue until you’ve reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
And that’s it! You can now enjoy your broth hot and fresh, just as you made it.
In today’s article will guide you through the process of reheating bone broth from scratch using your microwave. We’ll also address some key concerns about reheating bone broth and offer tips for improving its flavor.
Can You Microwave Bone Broth
We’re all familiar with soups as a meal staple during cold weather months. But, due to its purported health benefits, bone broth has made its way onto restaurant menus and even into our homes.
However, a common concern is whether or not you can reheat bone broth in a microwave. As it turns out, you can — but only if you do so correctly.
Bone broth is high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. It’s also full of collagen, which helps strengthen your bones and joints. For this reason, there are growing concerns about reheating it in the microwave.
While it’s true that reheating bone broth can destroy some of its nutrients, you can still reap many of its health benefits if you do so correctly. You just need to know how long and at what temperature to heat your broth.
To begin, it is critical to understand that microwaves function by emitting radio waves. These waves cause the water molecules in the food to vibrate, generating heat and allowing it to cook. However, these vibrations also break down the collagen into amino acids, reducing the nutritious value of bone broth when microwaved.
To prevent nutrient loss, a general rule of thumb is to use a low-power setting when reheating your broth in a microwave. This will help to reduce exposure time and keep extreme temperatures at bay.
If you’re unsure how long to heat your bone broth, start with one minute at 30% power and then check it every 30 seconds until it reaches the desired temperature. While some nutrients will be lost regardless, you can still reap many of its health benefits if you reheat it properly.
How Long To Heat Up Soup in Microwave
Time is of the essence when reheating your soup, especially when using a microwave. It’s critical to act quickly so that its nutritional value isn’t destroyed or diminished.
There are many different methods of reheating your soup, but they all come down to speed. Luckily, a microwave is ideal since it is both quick and safe.
So, how long does it take to reheat soup in a microwave?
Generally, it will take about 1-2 minutes for every cup of soup. For example, if you have 4 cups, you can expect it to take 4-8 minutes in your microwave. However, time may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage and whether your broth is frozen or not.
Due to these variables, you’ll want to watch your soup as it reheats. You’re advised to heat your bone broth at short time intervals (e.g., 30 seconds) until it reaches the desired temperature. This way, you can ensure that it’s not over-or under-heated and is ready for consumption.
Tips to Reheat Bone Broth in Microwave
Bone broth is typically made from simmering animal bones with vegetables and other seasonings. It’s a nutritious, flavorful base for soups, stews, sauces, and gravies.
If you have a batch in your fridge, here are some tips for reheating it in your microwave.
- Ensure to store your bone broth in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking, or freeze for up to 3 months. This will inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause food poisoning.
- If you have frozen bone broth, let it thaw overnight in your refrigerator before reheating. This will help prevent bacteria growth and speed up the reheating process. Alternatively, you can zap it for a few seconds in your microwave until it’s fully thawed.
- Ensure that you use a microwavable bowl or mug when reheating bone broth. Avoid plastic or Styrofoam containers, as they can leach harmful chemicals into your food. Glass and ceramic are your best options.
- The bowl or mug should be large enough to hold your bone broth. You don’t want spillage that could cause a mess in your microwave. Cover with a microwavable lid or plastic wrap and vent a corner for steam escape.
- Since you want to preserve as much of your bone broth’s nutrients as possible, don’t reheat it for an extended period. Try 30 seconds at a time and frequently check to avoid overcooking. It should be steaming hot but not boiling when you take it out of your microwave.
- Stirring your bone broth will help distribute heat evenly and prevent it from overcooking at any one spot. Use only non-metal utensils, as metal can cause sparks that could damage your microwave.
- Reheat thoroughly, or use a meat thermometer to check that your bone broth has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving. This will kill any bacteria and ensure that it’s safe for consumption.
How to Reheat Bone Broth in Microwave
The process of reheating your bone broth in a microwave is pretty simple. It is ideal if you are short on time and don’t want to sacrifice quality or taste.
Here are the step by step instructions:
Step 1: Remove from Refrigerator and Defrost
When you are ready to reheat your bone broth, remove it from your refrigerator and allow it to defrost. You can do so by placing it on a plate or bowl or leaving it out on your countertop for about 30 minutes.
Step: 2: Pour into a Microwavable Bowl
Once your bone broth has defrosted, pour only what you plan on reheating into a microwave-safe bowl. Store the rest in an airtight container or resealable bag and place it back into your refrigerator.
Step 3: Cover and Place in the Microwave
Use either a microwavable lid or plastic wrap to cover your bowl. Make sure you leave some room for steam to escape, to prevent an explosion. Then place it into your microwave.
Step 4: Nuke Your Bone Broth for 1-2 Minutes
Set your microwave on high and microwave your bone broth for one minute. After that, remove it from the microwave and stir it with a spoon. Place it back into your microwave and nuke it in 30-second intervals until the desired temperature.
It usually takes about 1-2 minutes but can vary depending on how powerful your microwave is.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Warmed Up Bone Broth
Use a food thermometer to ensure your bone broth is hot enough for consumption. If it’s not, put it back into your microwave and nuke it for another 30-second interval until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Add salt or pepper if desired, and enjoy.
Does Boiling Bone Broth Destroy Nutrients?
Without a doubt, bone broth is one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods. But, it is also true that boiling can reduce some of those nutrients.
So, what happens when you boil bone broth?
Bone Broth is essentially made up of water and collagen. As it boils, collagen turns into gelatin. Gelatin is a form of protein soluble in cold water but not hot water. As you boil bone broth, some of its nutrients are leached out into your cooking liquid.
Boiling also denatures the proteins in bone broth, making them less bioavailable for absorption by our bodies.
The key to preventing nutrient loss is to avoid exposing your broth to high heat for extended periods. Instead, keep your pot at a low simmer and remove it from direct heat as soon as it reaches the ideal temperature.
How Long Is Bone Broth Good For In The Fridge?
The demand for bone broth is at an all-time high, showing no signs of slowing down. While there are many benefits to drinking broth regularly, you may be wondering how long it will last.
As with most foods, several factors affect how long bone broth will last in the fridge.
- The ingredients used: The type of bones you use, whether or not you add vegetables and herbs, and how long you cook your broth will all affect its shelf life.
- The storage process: If you store your broth in a sealed container and keep it refrigerated, it will last longer than if you leave it at room temperature or store it improperly.
- Whether or not it was cooked thoroughly: If you don’t cook your broth long enough, harmful bacteria can grow and make you sick.
But generally, it will take about 4 -5 days for your broth to go bad in a sealed container in your refrigerator.
Final Thoughts
If you have a batch of leftover bone broth in the fridge, microwaving is an easy and fast way to reheat it.
Because bone broth is so nutritious, you must reheat it correctly. Overheating can destroy its essential amino acids, collagen, and gelatin. These nutrients are vital for good digestion, immune function, and strong bones.
A good rule of thumb is to reheat your bone broth at short intervals. This allows you to monitor the progress and stop heating when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
