Many leftovers do not reheat well, and some dishes you simply can’t bring back to life. Edamame, on the other hand, can easily be given new life via a few different reheating methods.
Edamame can absolutely reheat well and is pretty good the second time around.
So next time you get sushi or Thai food and are debating whether or not to toss out the leftover edamame, don’t! Pop it in your fridge, and the next day you can have a tasty snack.
While some cold leftover edamame can be a nice, chilly treat, most people prefer the little beans to be hot and salty, how they’re meant to be.
Keep these methods in mind the next time you have edamame sitting in your fridge.
Can You Reheat Edamame in the Microwave?
Yes! Reheating edamame in the microwave is likely the best way to do it. When edamame is first served, it is warm but soft, and the microwave accomplishes this exact texture.
Microwave is also the simplest method that says your time and dishes. Usually, people don’t want to do a whole song and dance in the kitchen to feast on their leftovers, so microwaving is the easiest solution.
Can You Reheat Edamame in the Oven?
As noted above, you can roast your leftover edamame in your oven. This method is underrated, but edamame with a little crunch or char is delectable.
But if you’re trying to revive your edamame back to how it was first served, this won’t achieve the right texture.
How Many Times Can You Reheat Edamame?
Edamame is a resilient leftover, so you can reheat it several times without problems. However, every time you reheat something, the quality decreases.
So, it is recommended not to try to reheat and enjoy the edamame more than three times.
How Long Should You Reheat Edamame For?
It depends on the method you decide to use. But for most of the methods, it takes less than five minutes to warm up the edamame enough to eat.
Best Ways to Reheat Edamame
Here are five ways to reheat edamame and bring it back to its tasty glory. These are in order from the best method to get them back to their original state to ways to change them up a bit.
Follow these step-by-step guides to revive your edamame leftovers.
Microwaving
Microwaving leftover edamame is the best way to enjoy it the second time around.
Here are the steps to microwave leftover edamame:
- Place the edamame in a microwave-safe container.
- Add one tablespoon or so of water.
- Cover the dish with a damp cloth or paper towel.
- Microwave on medium for 30-60 seconds, depending on how much edamame you have left.
- Let stand to cool for 30-60 seconds.
- Sprinkle some extra salt if you want, and enjoy!
Steaming
Steaming edamame is a close second to microwaving it, but does take a little more effort. The steam will likely wash off any seasoning, so salt afterward.
Follow these steps:
- Boil a medium pot of water on the stove.
- Place a colander on top of the boiling water. It should not touch the water but hover just above it.
- Place the shelled or unshelled edamame in the colander.
- Cover with a lid to trap the steam.
- Let it sit for 2-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle with salt and serve.
Boiling Edamame
Boiling is an easy way to bring your edamame back. If you have seasoned edamame, something spicy or flavored, boiling will wash off the seasoning and is not the best method.
Here are the instructions:
- Boil a medium pot of saltwater.
- Place the shelled or unshelled edamame in the water once it begins to simmer.
- Let boil for 1-2 minutes.
- Drain in a colander and serve immediately!
Stir-Frying
Stir-frying your edamame is ideal if you plan to reuse it in another dish like fried rice. But it’s also a crunchy and flavorful treat all on its own.
Here’s how to stir-fry it:
- Mix some fish sauce and soy sauce in a bowl, about a teaspoon or two of each(Add chili flakes if you like some heat). Set aside the mixture.
- Heat oil in a pan. It’s best to use sesame oil for a consistent Asian flavor.
- When the oil is shimmering and is almost at its smoking point, add the shelled or unshelled edamame. Toss to coat in oil.
- Stir constantly until the edamame begins to char.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and stir.
- Serve in a bowl with sesame seeds on top.
Roasting
Many people think roasting edamame is a no-no, but it’s a great way to change the texture and taste of this delicious bean.
Follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove edamame from their shells if they are in them.
- Dry the beans with a paper towel as much as possible.
- Toss them in your favorite cooking oil, like sesame or olive, and add salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Disperse the beans onto a baking sheet into a single even layer.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring and flipping the beans every ten minutes.
- Let cool for one minute and serve.
Related Questions
Here are a few final answers to commonly asked questions about this tasty food.
What is edamame?
Edamame is a dish of immature soybean pads served as an appetizer in many Asian countries.
How do you make edamame?
The most common method to make edamame is to boil it in salt water and then sprinkle salt just before serving.
Does edamame need salt?
No, edamame can be really good served plain. Most people enjoy it with sea salt because it elevates the refreshing bean flavor.
But if you want something plain, edamame on its own is still a delicious treat.
Wrap-Up
Maybe this will convince you to get an extra order of edamame next time you get sushi takeout to have for the next day.
Many foods do not reheat well. Luckily for edamame-lovers though, this little bean is excellent when reheated, no matter which method you choose.