One expert has shared his top food storage hacks for storing and reheating pre-cooked meals safely – and they’re easy to follow
Meal prepping has surged in popularity across the nation, offering a practical solution for saving time and cutting down on food waste. Yet, there’s a crucial distinction between safe meal preparation and potentially hazardous practices.
Jamie Cooper, a refrigeration specialist at Hotpoint, reveals his essential food storage tips for safely storing and reheating pre-prepared meals.
He explains: “Meal prepping isn’t just a time-saver, it’s a way to enjoy meals that taste great, last longer, and stay safe to eat. Whether you’re prepping lunches for the kids or batch-cooking dinners for the week, the way you store your food makes a real difference to flavour and freshness.”
Cooling and storing
The initial step to keeping your leftovers safe involves proper cooling and storage. Hot food left standing at room temperature for extended periods can quickly become a haven for harmful bacteria, even when it appears and smells perfectly normal.
Jamie warns: “To reduce the risk, foods should be cooled from cooking temperature to room temperature within two hours, then put in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible.”
He suggests that larger quantities should be separated into smaller, shallow containers, as this allows heat to escape more uniformly, enabling the food to reach a safe temperature more quickly.
Regarding storage, Jamie suggests portioning into individual servings, as this guarantees you’re only warming up precisely what you require. He further recommends: “Labelling containers with dates and contents is another small change that makes a huge difference.
“It’s super easy to forget when a meal was made, especially if you’re storing a few different dishes at a time. Labels help you rotate meals properly and make sure nothing stays past its safe eating window.”
Jamie further explains that cooked meals typically last around three to five days in the fridge when stored correctly, while freezing can prolong their shelf life for several months.
Reheating Safely
“Reheating properly is just as important as storage,” Jamie emphasises. “Food should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consumption to eliminate potential pathogens to ensure it’s safe. A food thermometer is the most reliable way to check this.”
He also advises to only reheat food once, as repeated reheating can alter flavour and texture and heighten the risk of foodborne illness.
