Guacamole is a delicious addition that complements many dishes including burritos, nachos and taco salads. Since the guacamole is mixed into the meal, sometimes it is too hard to remove the condiment when you reheat the dish, so can you microwave guacamole?
Even if it is added inside a meal, you can microwave guacamole. If you are worried about guacamole turning brown or spoiling when heated in the microwave, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, the texture will become separated and mushy when heated, which has a slight potential to change in taste.
Whether you eat it as a dip, spread or condiment, the best way to reheat guacamole is in the microwave. Intense and prolonged heat could ruin the flavor, so only use the microwave to warm up the guacamole. Instead of making it steaming hot, you can easily adjust the time and power level to avoid overheating.
Guacamole contains ingredients like a drizzle of olive oil, lime juice and jalapeño, which are all ok to use in the microwave. But can you microwave avocado all by itself?
Can you heat up avocado in the microwave?
Waiting for an avocado to ripe can take patience and timing. Many people have tried to take a short cut by trying to ripen avocado in the microwave or oven to speed up the process.
Do not microwave a whole avocado to ripen the fruit. Microwaving will not ripen the avocado, but it may soften the flesh which may make it seem ripe. Inevitably the microwaved avocado will taste unripe and lack creamy, buttery, and nutty flavor.
However, if you are trying to make guacamole, you can microwave avocado halves to quickly soften the texture. Simply wrap the avocado halves in a paper towel or wax paper, and nuke for 30-second intervals until avocado is soft.
If you are looking to eat avocado as slices on top of toasted bread or fanned over a salad, then I recommend to ripen naturally in a paper bag.
Is it safe to eat reheated guacamole?
Heating up a meal with guacamole in microwave is fairly easy. However, that doesn’t mean you can heat up the same guacamole multiple times. So, is it safe to eat reheated guacamole?
Guacamole can spoil after being reheated and stored a second time. Reheating and cooling guacamole multiple times can cause the growth of harmful bacteria that are not safe to eat.
According to the USDA temperature danger zone guidelines, guacamole is considered a perishable food item that needs to be refrigerated within 2 hours if you plan to serve the leftovers.
Always check the guacamole for any signs of spoilage, sour smells or visible mold growth. Spoilage can occur from improper food handling, unsafe storage or kept past the expiration date.
If the meal has guacamole inside, then only reheat it one time at the most. The USDA safe handling procedures recommends perishable food items to not sit out at room temperature for longer than 4 hours.
How to microwave guacamole?
From tacos to burrito bowls and salads, guacamole is served as a dip, side, topping, garnish, spread and condiment. Guacamole is one of the greatest additions that makes many dishes even more enjoyable.
In general, guacamole should be served warm or ideally at room temperature, it can also be microwaved if necessary. However, if you serve guacamole at cold temperature it can have dull palate and that is why most guacamole is not extremely cold.
Heating up guacamole also helps to kill any bad bacteria, which make it safer to consume.
Make sure to heat up guacamole in a microwave-safe plate or container. Use short intervals so you don’t overheat the mashed avocado.
So, why not microwave your leftover bowls or burritos to enhance the flavor once more to enjoy a hot and tasty meal..
Things you need to know before microwaving guacamole
Microwaving food that contains guacamole is safe. Depending on the other ingredients in the dish, consider adjusting the power setting or amount of time to properly reheat food in the microwave without completely destroying it.
Ironically, warming up guacamole does not only make it taste smooth and more creamy, but it also destroys any harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning or stomachache.
For more useful tips, here are things you need to know before microwaving guacamole:
- Discard leftover guacamole after it has been reheated one time, it is not safe to eat anymore.
- If you are warming up the guacamole in the microwave, nuke for 10 second intervals and stir to evenly distribute the heat.
- Reduce the microwave power setting to low for guacamole, and medium level for meals that contain guacamole.
- Sprinkle lemon or lime juice over the surface of the guacamole to lessen brown marks caused by oxidation.
- Store guacamole in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. I recommend pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to avoid any contact with air that causes oxidation.
A scoop of guacamole makes everything even more tasty, especially when its heated up in the microwave. However, be aware of time and temperature settings because overcooked guacamole can release extra moisture and cause food to become moist and waterlogged.
There is no reason why you you should be afraid to microwave leftovers that contain guacamole. Give it a try and warm up you guacamole in the microwave, you will be delightfully surprised at how good it tastes!
Sonia Nangalia
Saturday 3rd of October 2020
Excellent tips for beginners...
Joshua Bruck
Monday 5th of October 2020
Thank you Sonia