10 Popular Foods That Turn Disgusting in the Microwave
Microwaves are great for reheating leftovers or making quick meals for a fast fix. But not all foods survive the nuking process. Some come out soggy, rubbery, or just plain inedible. These foods should never go in the microwave unless you want a disappointing meal.
Pizza
Microwaving leftover pizza seems like a good idea, but it turns the crispy crust into a chewy, rubbery mess. The cheese can also separate into an oily layer, making it far from the gooey goodness you expect. For a better option, reheat pizza in a skillet or oven to bring back the crisp texture.
Fried Chicken
Microwaving fried chicken ruins its crispy coating, leaving you with soggy, sad skin. The chicken inside can also dry out, making it tough and less flavorful. A much better method is using an oven or air fryer to revive that crispy crunch.
Steak
Reheating steak in the microwave turns a perfectly cooked piece of meat into a tough, chewy disaster. The microwave causes uneven heating, leaving some parts dried out while others remain cold. Instead, warm it in a skillet over low heat or in the oven for better results.
French Fries
Microwaving fries transforms them from crispy and golden to limp and mushy. The moisture inside gets trapped, making them steam instead of crisping up. For best results, toss them in the oven or air fryer to bring back their crunch.
Pasta with Cream Sauce
Pasta dishes with cream-based sauces don’t hold up well in the microwave. The sauce often separates, turning into a greasy, clumpy mess. If you need to reheat it, do so gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture.
Eggs
Whether it’s scrambled, boiled, or fried, eggs don’t microwave well. Scrambled eggs turn rubbery, boiled eggs can explode, and fried eggs get a weird, leathery texture. Instead, reheat eggs in a pan over low heat for a better outcome.
Fish
Microwaving fish not only makes your kitchen smell awful, but it also dries out the delicate meat. The heat can make it rubbery and unappetizing, ruining its texture completely. Instead, gently warm it in the oven or on the stovetop.
Bread
Microwaving bread for more than a few seconds turns it chewy and tough. The heat removes moisture too quickly, making the bread dry and hard within minutes. A better way to warm bread is in the oven or wrapped in a damp towel in the microwave for just a few seconds.
Bacon
Bacon cooked in the microwave often turns out either rubbery or overly crispy with an odd, plasticky texture. It also doesn’t cook evenly, leading to undercooked and overcooked spots. Frying or baking bacon is a far better way to get the perfect texture.
Cheese
While melting cheese might seem harmless, microwaving it can make it greasy and rubbery. It loses its smooth, stretchy consistency and instead becomes a pool of separated oil and hardened bits. Melting cheese slowly over low heat on the stove or in the oven works much better.