Quick answer: The easiest answer to how to heat retort food is to soak the sealed pack in hot water for a few minutes. You can also pour the food into a bowl for the microwave, or warm it in a pan. Retort food is already fully cooked, so you can also eat it straight at room temperature.
First-time buyers often ask the same question: do I need to cook it again? The answer is no. Food in a retort pack is already cooked and sterilised, so heating is only for taste and comfort. This guide shows how to heat retort food in five ways, when each way works best, and the safety checks you should make.
If these packs are new to you, read our guides on the retort pouch and retort food first.
Before you heat it: check the pack
This step takes a few seconds. However, it matters most. Hold the pack and look for these signs:
- Swelling: if the pack puffs up, do not open it and do not eat it.
- Leaks: oil or sauce on the outside means the seal has failed.
- Expiry: check the date printed on the pack.
- Smell: once open, throw it away if it smells sour or strange.
The USDA FSIS says you should never use food from containers that leak or bulge. The same principle applies to retort packs.
How to heat retort food: 5 ways
1. Eat it at room temperature
This is the simplest option. Tear the pack at the notch, stir a little, and eat. It suits emergencies, offices without a pantry, or a hike. Some coconut milk dishes may look oily when cool. That is normal, because fat thickens at lower temperatures.
2. Soak the sealed pack in hot water
This is the most popular method because you do not open the pack. Here is how:
- Boil water in a pot, then turn the heat off or down low.
- Put the sealed pack into the water.
- Leave it for a few minutes until the pack feels hot.
- Lift it out with tongs, wipe it, then tear it open and serve.
Make sure the pack sits fully under the water so it heats evenly. Also, keep it off the bottom of a pot that sits on a direct flame. Hot water from a flask or electric kettle works too, as long as you use a suitable container.
3. Move it to a bowl for the microwave
Never put a foil pack in the microwave. It can spark and damage the machine. Instead, pour the food into a microwave safe bowl, cover it with a vented lid, and heat it briefly. Then stir halfway so no part stays cold.
4. Warm it in a pan or pot
Pour the food into a pan and warm it over low heat while stirring. This method suits pasta sauce and dishes with gravy. For example, add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Do not leave it too long, because the food is already cooked and can burn.
5. Use a camping stove
When you camp or go fishing, boil water in a small pot on a portable gas stove. Then soak the pack as in method two. As a result, you have no oily pan to wash, and you can use the same water for a hot drink. For more outdoor tips, read our sea fishing checklist.
The table below sums up how to heat retort food in each situation. So pick the one that fits where you are and what you have.
| Method | Open the pack? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Yes, to eat | Emergencies, office, hiking |
| Hot water | No | Home, hostels that allow a kettle, camping |
| Microwave | Yes, into a bowl | Office and home |
| Pan | Yes | Home, when you want to add extras |
| Camping stove | No | Camping, fishing, road trips |
Which way tastes best?
It comes down to taste. For instance, pasta and coconut milk dishes taste better hot, because the sauce loosens and coats evenly. Plain rice also turns softer after a soak in hot water. Still, if you are hungry on the road, eating straight from the pack is safe and filling.
Safety after you open the pack
A sealed pack does not need a fridge. But once you open it, the food is like any dish you just cooked at home. So follow these steps:
- Eat it soon. Do not leave opened food sitting out for long.
- Refrigerate leftovers. According to FSIS, you should chill leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days.
- Use a clean container. Do not store leftovers in the opened pack.
- Reheat leftovers fully. FSIS recommends heating leftovers to 74 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit), or bringing sauces and gravy to a boil.
Common mistakes in how to heat retort food
- Putting a foil pack in the microwave
- Boiling the pack on high heat until it sticks to the pot
- Cutting the pack before soaking, so water gets into the food
- Grabbing a hot pack without tongs or a cloth
- Leaving leftovers in an open pack on the table
For storage times before opening, read our guide on retort food shelf life. In addition, our guide to preservative free food explains why these packs last without added preservatives.
How to heat retort food from MakanHubb
All MakanHubb dishes and pasta come in retort packs. The packs need no fridge and keep for 1 to 2 years before opening. You can eat straight from the pack, or warm the sealed pack in hot water for a few minutes. Pair a dish with White Rice for a full meal. Prices start from RM12.90 a pack.
FAQ about how to heat retort food
Do I need to cook retort food again?
No. The food is already cooked and sterilised. Heating only makes it taste better.
How long should I soak it in hot water?
Usually a few minutes, until the pack feels hot. A thicker or colder pack needs a little longer.
Can I boil the pack in water?
Yes, but lower the heat and keep the pack off the bottom of the pot. Then lift it out with tongs.
Can I heat the pack in the microwave?
Not if it has foil. Pour the food into a microwave safe bowl first.
Can I keep leftovers for tomorrow?
Yes, if you move them to a clean container and refrigerate them within 2 hours. Then reheat them fully before eating.
Still have questions?
WhatsApp the MakanHubb team at 012-540 0263. We reply during office hours, Monday to Friday.
