You made the perfect dinner but now you’re wondering how to reheat leftover pot roast.
You nailed the meat to vegetable ratio.
You concocted the perfect mixture of spices and seasonings and sauces to render together and infuse the meat and veggies with mouth-watering flavor.
You even cooked it all for the ideal amount of time, leaving the meat tender and juicy and the vegetables supple.
You eat until you can’t anymore, and your family devours it as well, yet you still have mounds of leftovers.
You vow to eat it for lunch and dinner the next day and the next, savoring every last bit of your culinary masterpiece.
We’ve all been there. The question, however, is how?
What methods can you use to reheat that delectable pot roast? What’s the best way to prepare your leftover pot roast without sacrificing the flavor or succulence?
How do you store it properly, and how long will it last?
Luckily your search for the solution to this pot roast conundrum is over.
We’ve answered all those questions for you here, so all you’ll have to worry about is enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Cooking with a microwave oven may get a bad rap, but it is a classic reheating option that is convenient, quick, and gets the job done.
If you’re looking to reheat that beef roast in a jiffy, but you don’t want to forfeit deliciousness for speed, follow these simple steps:
1. Place the roast in a microwave-safe dish.
Be sure to select a pot or container that is microwave safe, and place your desired amount of pot roast in it.
Pour some of the leftover pot roast juices into the container with the meat and veggies to keep it juicy and flavorful.
Place the appropriate cover over the container, and make sure that there is no tin foil or plastic wrap anywhere on the roast or in the container.
2. Set the microwave to the reheat setting.
Most microwaves have a reheat setting. This is the appropriate setting for reheating food. If there is not a reheat setting on your microwave, you can set it to high.
3. Reheat the pot roast for 30 seconds.
It’s important to reheat the pot roast in small intervals so that you don’t overheat the meal.
Overheating can lead to steam and bubbling that will dirty the inside of your microwave, and it can compromise the texture and flavor of the food.
Remember the CookingChew 4Ts: Time, Turn, Test, Taste.
4. Check the pot roast.
After the first 30 seconds, remove the pot roast from the microwave and check to see if it is hot enough.
If you feel it is necessary, you can use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pot roast. If it is hot enough, you’re ready to eat! If not, see step 5.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed
If the pot roast isn’t hot enough after the first 30 seconds, reheat it in 30 second intervals, checking in between each set to see if it has reached your desired warmth.
Altogether it shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. When it has, you’re ready to relive your pot roast glory.
How to reheat pot roast in a slow cooker
Though a slow cooker cooks, you know, slowly, it is a great option for reheating that leftover roast beef.
Reheating a pot roast with a slow cooker doesn’t take quite as long as the initial cook, and when you consider the ease with which it can be done and the flavor you sustain in your tender roast, it’s a no-brainer.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Set the slow cooker to warm.
Once you plug it in, you can set your slow cooker to warm.
This setting was designed for reheating meals and keeping them warm without over-cooking. If your slow cooker doesn’t have a warm setting, you can set it to low heat.
2. Place pot roast in the slow cooker.
Put your desired amount of leftovers in the slow cooker. Be sure to add in some of the leftover meat juices from the original meal.
You’ll also want to add in a half cup to a cup of water and/or gravy depending on the amount you’re reheating and your preferences.
3. Slow cook for 2-4 hours.
Again, depending on the amount you’re reheating, your slow cooking time will vary.
On average, a leftover pot roast will be sufficiently reheated and ready to enjoy in roughly 2-4 hours.
Best way to reheat pot roast
While there is more than one cooking method for reheating pot roast, some are better than others.
You can also use the top of the stove to reheat leftover pot roast.
To do this simply place your leftover pot roast (juices included), a bit of olive oil, and a little water in a dutch oven and heat on medium heat to medium high heat until the juices are bubbling, then cover and lower to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
In fact, some methods are not suggested for reheating a pot roast such as a pressure cooker like an instant pot.
When it’s all said and done, most cooks agree that for best results you should use the oven method of reheating pot roast. It doesn’t take as long as reheating with a slow cooker, it’s not as experimental as using a microwave, and, if done correctly, perfectly preserves the flavor, tenderness, and juiciness of the pot roast. Oh, and it’s pretty fool-proof, too!
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
This is the optimal temperature for reheating the pot roast in the oven.
The oven will heat it slowly enough that it will not dry out, but it still won’t take nearly as long as reheating in the slow cooker.
Reheating the roast at a higher temperature may alter your desired degree of doneness, changing your medium roast beef to a well-done roast.
If you prefer a medium rare roast beef, you’ll want to be especially careful.
2. Place leftover pot roast in a baking dish.
Depending on the amount of pot roast you’re reheating, you can use a 9×13 baking tray or possibly a 9×9 and cover it with aluminum foil prior to putting it in the oven.
You can also use another type of covered oven-proof baking dish, such as a casserole dish.
Some cooks advise you to slice meat into smaller chunks first, while others say that is not necessary.
It is a matter of personal preference and either method will work fine. Just be sure to pour some leftover pan juices on to the meat and into the dish before putting it in the preheated oven.
3. Reheat in the oven until heated through.
Again, depending on the amount of pot roast you’re reheating, your cooking time will vary.
On average, a leftover pot roast should be reheated to perfection in about 30-45 minutes.
Tips on storing pot roast
The quality of your reheated pot roast depends largely on how well it’s stored and the method by which you reheat it.
We’ve gathered the best leftover pot roast storage tips here to help you.
If storing in the refrigerator
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- Allow the pot roast to cool completely until it has reached room temperature before transferring the roast to a storage container.
- Place the meat in an airtight storage container, including some of the juices.
- Store any extra beef broth in a separate container.
- Do not just cover beef with plastic wrap or tin foil. Always transfer roast to a dedicated storage container for best results.
- Storing the pot roast in a metal bowl is OK if it has a lid that can make it airtight.
If storing in the freezer
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- Allow the chuck roast to cool completely until it has reached room temperature.
- Place the roast and some of the juices to an airtight storage container, or you can also use a freezer bag. If you’re storing the pot roast in a freezer bag, be sure to squeeze out any extra air and seal it tightly before placing it in the freezer.
- When you’re ready to reheat your frozen pot roast, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator before beginning the reheating process.
The bottom line
Knowing what to do with different types of leftovers can be tricky.
Following these simple instructions from storage to reheating will deliver a leftover pot roast that is just as delicious as the first time.
Want to know what to serve with your pot roast leftovers? Here are some of our ideas, inspiration, and tips!
How To Reheat Pot Roast On The Stove
One of our favorite ways to reheat pot roast is on the stove in a skillet. It’s faster than the oven, but heats more evenly than a microwave.
Ingredients
- Leftover pot roast
- Skillet with lid
- Water, broth, or saved roast juices
- Stovetop
Instructions
- Place skillet on stove.
- Turn stovetop under skillet to medium heat.
- Add pot roast and 1 c of water or broth.
- Cover with lid.
- Set a timer for 10 mins. Turn roast with tongs.
- Heat for another 5 mins. Roast should be steaming.
- Use a meat thermometer if desired.
- Serve and enjoy.