Crawfish are a favorite seafood dish in many parts of the United States. They can be enjoyed fresh, boiled, or grilled. However, Crawfish can also be reheated in many different ways. If you have some leftover crawfish, here is a simple guide on how to reheat them.
Reheat Crawfish In the Microwave
The microwave is the quickest, easiest, and most common way to reheat crawfish. First, open the bag and take out the crawfish. Then place them in a microwave-safe bowl, apply some unsalted butter and cover them with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat them for 2 minutes on medium or until the crawfish are hot to the touch. Then take the crawfish out and stir them after every 1 minute until the crawfish is reheated to your preference. You can also add a little butter on top of the crawfish if they look dry.
Sautéing In A Skillet
You can sauté the crawfish in a skillet. First, heat a skillet on medium flame. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add in 2-3 cloves of minced garlic and a thinly sliced small onion. Then add in your preferred seasonings. Once the seasonings are cooked, add in the crawfish. Cook the mixture for 30 seconds to a minute, then arrange the crawfish in an even layer in the skillet. Cover and cook for a few minutes until the crawfish are fully cooked. Remove the cover and stir the crawfish frequently so they don’t burn. Serve your crawfish with French bread to soak up the delicious juices.
Steaming In a Basket
You can steam the crawfish in a basket. First, pour 2-3 inches of water into a pot. Then place the steam basket in the pot. When the water has boiled, add the crawfish to the basket. Cover the basket, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Steam the crawfish for 6-7 minutes. Remove the basket from the pot and make sure it is warm enough. If not, leave a little more, but be sure to check every half-minute, as it will be done quickly. Steaming crawfish in a pot of boiling water works just as well, but takes longer to cook.
Reheat Crawfish by Boiling
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of salt to the water. Drop in the crawfish and cover the pot. Reduce heat to medium from high and cook for about 15 minutes or until the crawfish are tender.
Crawfish can be boiled in the same pot that was used for steaming. Simply combine the ingredients and return them to the boiling water for an additional 15 minutes or so. This method works particularly well when the crawfish have already been steamed and are warm and tender.
While boiling is easy, it doesn’t provide the same level of flavor as steaming or sautéing. However, it does make it possible to reheat the crawfish without steaming. And that’s an important skill to have when preparing a crawfish boil.
Reheat crawfish using a grill
Crawfish can be reheated using a grill. The first step is to coat the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Preheat the grill to high before adding the crawfish. When it’s time to cook, place about a pound of crawfish on each section of the grill rack. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until opaque. Adding wine to the crawfish during cooking helps to keep them moist. Serve the crawfish hot with a spicy Cajun seasoning for dipping.
How to store
If you make the mistake of preparing too many crawfish, simply store the leftovers in the freezer.
To do so, you must first store them in airtight containers. Once completed, freeze them as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that cooked crawfish are highly perishable, so put them in the freezer as soon as possible.
Tips to Reheat Crawfish
- Do not reheat crawfish at high temperatures.
- Do not reheat more than once.
- Store leftover crawfish in the freezer.
- Store them in an airtight container.
- Use stock flavoring for the best result.
- Don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Don’t reheat leftover food after 2-3 days.
- Always reheat food at medium temperature.
- Always use a clean container to store leftover crawfish.
- Reheat leftover food immediately after taking it out of the refrigerator. Do not allow it to settle at room temperature.
- Do not store the reheated crawfish again if still left.
- Do not mix leftover food with a fresh one.
- Crawfish left its flavor while reheating. So, add some stock flavoring.
Summary
If you have leftover crawfish from a recent feast, don’t let them go to waste. You can quickly and easily reheat them by boiling, steaming, using a skillet, or in a microwave. Just make sure to go through with the precaution to get the best result.
Also Read: Best Way To Reheat Steak
