How To Reheat Mince – I Test 3 Methods [Pics]

This article was updated on 14th August 2023 for clarity and to incorporate new insights.

I always keep a few ready-to-go portions of mince on hand for days when I’m too busy to cook. We could all use a few shortcuts now and then, right?

And to make sure I got the most out of my mince, I tested three different ways of reheating it. In a rush?

The best way to reheat mince is in the microwave or on the stove. Add a tablespoon of water or stock per portion of mince and reheat it in 30-second intervals in the microwave, or over medium heat on the stove.

How I tested reheating mince

I made a big portion of mince (very exciting, I know!) and left it in the fridge overnight. The next day, I tested out three methods to reheat my mince.

• In the microwave: Most convenient.
• On the stove: Best results.
• In the oven: Okay results, but a little dry.

Reheating mince in the microwave

Time: 1-2 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Spread the mince evenly across a microwaveable container and add a tablespoon of water, stock, or olive oil per portion to the container.
2. Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
3. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals for up to 2 minutes.

If your mince is frozen, remove it from its packaging and defrost it using the “defrost” setting first. You can then cook it immediately afterward, following the steps above.

Microwaved mince can come out bland if it’s not seasoned enough, so I suggest adding extra salt and pepper or some spices to enhance the flavor.

To save time, you can microwave other components of your dish at the same time as your mince. But be careful with your timings to avoid overcooking the more delicate ingredients.

Results: The microwave offers a good balance between convenience and taste. It’s super quick, and the mince has a nice texture. But it can be easy to overcook the meat if you don’t check on it often.

Reheating mince on the stove

Time: 3-4 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Place a heavy-bottomed skillet on the stove.
2. Set to medium heat and cover the bottom of the pan with water, stock, or a sauce. If you want crispy meat, use a little oil.
3. Add the mince and stir frequently, adding more of your chosen liquid if it starts to dry out.
4. Continue heating until the mince reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), around 3-4 minutes per portion.

If you plan on adding extra veggies to your mince, cook these in the pan before adding the mince. Or you can fry some bacon up before adding the mince… not the healthiest idea, but absolutely delicious.

The liquid in the frying pan ensures you’re steaming the meat rather than frying it, so it doesn’t dry out. But if you want some browning and don’t mind the meat being a little dryer, then aim to fry it in some oil instead of steaming it.

Results: This was my favorite method of reheating the mince because it brought out the flavors more than any other method. The mince was easy to keep juicy, and it was quick.

Reheating mince in the oven

Time: 10-12 minutes
Rating: 6/10

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Add water, stock, or sauce to an ovenproof dish, along with the mince.
3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it on the middle rack.
4. Heat for 10-15 minutes, depending on portion size. Stir the contents halfway through.

I initially added 2-3 tablespoons of liquid to the mince, but I checked it at the halfway mark and added a splash more. The foil is essential because it helps trap moisture in an otherwise dry environment. 

Results: The oven worked fine to reheat my mince, but it took a lot longer than the stove or microwave methods. It would only be worth it if you’ve got lots of mince to reheat.

Can you reheat mince more than once?

The Food Standards Agency recommends that you should only reheat mince once. But, if you do it correctly, you can safely reheat mince several times (although the quality will deteriorate after each reheating cycle). You need to heat the mince to 165°F (74°C) every time for it to be considered safe.

You also need to make sure you cool the mince down as quickly as possible after you reheat it, so it doesn’t spend more than two cumulative hours in the ‘danger zone’, which is between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). 

As an example, you could cook the mince by itself and then store it in the fridge. The next day, you could use the mince in chili (1st reheat). By following all the precautions, you can then safely reheat any chili leftovers, which would be the second time you’re reheating the mince

How to store mince

To store leftover mince, drain any excess fat and wait for the mince to cool to near room temperature. Once cool, place the mince in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for 3-4 days.

If there’s a big gap at the top of your container, you can cover the mince with some plastic wrap to stop it from drying out.

How to freeze mince

To freeze leftover mince, drain any excess fat and wait for the mince to cool. Once cooled, portion out the mince and put it in a heavy-duty freezer bag, squeezing any extra air out. The mince will be good for 4 months in the freezer before the quality starts to deteriorate. 

For extra protection against freezer burn, you can wrap the bag in a layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. 

I always freeze the mince in thin, portion-sized blocks. This prevents you from having to defrost all the mince only to have some leftover again. Plus, the thinner the block of mince is, the quicker it will thaw.

You can even freeze portions of mince in the same freezer bag. Use your finger to draw a line between the portions, and keep the freezer bag flat while the mince hardens.

The safest way to thaw mince is in the fridge overnight. If you need the mince quickly, you can either thaw it in the microwave or under cold running water. The microwave will only take a few minutes, but you have to be careful not to start cooking the mince.

Related: How To Get Ground Beef Really Fine

How To Reheat Mince [Tested Methods]

To make sure I got the most out of my leftover mince, I tested three different ways of reheating it.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 minute min

Cook Time 4 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine All

Servings 1 person

Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 portion mince
• 2-3 tablespoons water or stock

Instructions

 

• Place a heavy-bottomed skillet on the stove.
• Set to medium heat and cover the bottom of the pan with water, stock, or a sauce. If you want crispy meat, use a little oil.
• Add the mince and stir frequently, adding more of your chosen liquid if it starts to dry out.
• Continue heating until the mince reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), around 3-4 minutes per portion.
• Add more liquid if required and cover the pan with a lid.

Notes

If you plan to add extra veggies to your mince, you can cook these in the pan before adding the mince.

The liquid in the frying pan ensures you’re steaming the meat rather than frying it, so it doesn’t dry out.

If you want some browning and don’t mind the meat being a little dryer, then aim to fry it in some oil instead of steaming it.

Keyword how to reheat mince, mince