How to Reheat Scrambled Eggs

If you're wondering whether reheating eggs is toxic and if not, how to go about reheating scrambled eggs, here's what you need to know. You can microwave the scrambled eggs or reheat them on the stove.

Read more: 7 Reasons to Crack an Egg for Breakfast

Reheating eggs is not toxic. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) explains that it is safe to cook eggs and reheat them, provided you follow a few food safety guidelines. For starters, when you cook the scrambled eggs the first time around, you should ensure that they reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The eggs should be cooked until they are firm; they should not be runny in any way.

Once you've cooked the scrambled eggs, since you won't be eating them right away, the USDA FSIS recommends transferring them to a shallow container and putting them in the fridge immediately so that they cool down quickly. You should use these eggs within three or four days; after four days, it's safest to discard them.

Whether you are microwaving the scrambled eggs or reheating the scrambled eggs on the stove, the USDA FSIS recommends using a food thermometer to ensure that they reach an internal temperature of 165 F.

Taking these precautions can help ensure that eating reheated eggs doesn't cause you to fall sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that one out of 50 people in the United States is exposed to a contaminated egg every year.

Read more: 9 Things You May Not Know About Eggs

You can microwave the scrambled eggs or reheat them on the stove. Follow these steps to reheat the scrambled eggs in the microwave:

• Use a microwave-safe container: Take the eggs out of the fridge and transfer them to a microwave-safe container. If the eggs look like they've dried out, the USDA FSIS suggests adding a little liquid to the container. Put the container in the microwave and cover it loosely.
• Heat the eggs: Heat the eggs in the microwave for 20 seconds. Open the microwave and stir the eggs with a fork. To keep the eggs from getting soggy, discard any liquid that has pooled at the bottom. Repeat this cycle until the eggs are heated through.

Follow these steps to reheat the eggs on the stove. This method may take slightly longer than reheating them in the microwave, but the results should be better.

• Heat some oil or butter: Warm up a nonstick frying pan and add a little oil or butter to it.
• Add the scrambled eggs: Add the scrambled eggs to the pan and heat them over medium heat. The USDA FSIS recommends covering the pan so that the eggs get heated all the way through without drying out. Discard any liquid that pools at the bottom.

If you want to add some flavor — and nutrition — to the eggs as you reheat them, you can try our Simple Southwestern Egg Scramble recipe. Just add some shredded cheddar cheese to the eggs while they cook and serve them with a helping of pico de gallo and a couple of slices of avocado.

According to the USDA, a scrambled egg offers 90.9 calories, 6.09 grams of protein, 6.7 grams of fat and 1 gram of carbs. A March 2019 study published in the journal Nutrients reports that eggs contain all the macro- and micronutrients required to support the development of an avian embryo until it hatches, so apart from protein, eggs are also a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

Read more: The Egg Diet Results