Reheating Crawfish to Perfection

Crawfish are a delicious shellfish that are best when freshly cooked. However, you may have leftover boiled or frozen crawfish that need reheating. Here are some tips for properly reheating crawfish using different cooking methods.

Reheating Crawfish in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat crawfish.

• Arrange the crawfish in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer. Crawfish tend to splatter when reheated, so use a dish with high sides.
• Add a tablespoon or two of water or stock to the dish to help steam the crawfish as they reheat.
• Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a corner vented to allow steam to escape.
• Microwave the crawfish on High for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Check and stir periodically.
• Let the crawfish rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. The shells will be hot!

Reheating Crawfish on the Stove

You can also effectively reheat boiled crawfish on the stovetop.

• Place the crawfish in a skillet or pot with a tight fitting lid. Add a couple tablespoons of water or stock.
• Heat the crawfish over medium-low heat, covered, for 5-7 minutes until hot, stirring occasionally.
• Uncover and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate.
• Remove crawfish from heat and let sit for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Reheating Crawfish in the Oven

For reheating frozen crawfish, the oven works well:

• Place the frozen crawfish in a baking dish and add a few tablespoons of water or broth.
• Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until thawed and heated through.
• Remove foil, stir crawfish, and bake uncovered for 2-3 minutes more to evaporate any excess moisture.
• Let crawfish sit for 1-2 minutes before serving. Shells will be extremely hot!

Reheating Crawfish on the Grill

The grill imparts great flavor when reheating crawfish.

• Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Use a grill basket if available.
• Place crawfish in a single layer in the grill basket or directly on oiled grates.
• Grill over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, gently stirring occasionally, until crawfish are hot.
• Move crawfish to cooler side of grill if they start to burn.
• Let crawfish rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. Enjoy the smoky grill flavor!

FAQs:

How long can I store live crawfish before cooking?

Live crawfish can be kept refrigerated for 1-2 days before cooking. Keep them in a cooler with ice. Don’t store them in water or they will die.

What is the best way to purge crawfish?

To purge, soak live crawfish in salted ice water for 15-30 minutes before boiling. This allows them to expel any impurities.

How long should I boil crawfish?

Boil for 5-7 minutes. Any longer and the meat can become tough and rubbery.

How do I peel crawfish tails?

Hold the tail and gently pull the meat from the shell. Use your hands or a small fork. Don’t forget to peel the fan-shaped swimmerets from the underside.

Can you eat crawfish heads?

Yes! Suck the fat and juices from the head. Avoid the sand sac behind the eyes.

How do I make a crawfish boil seasoning?

Combine equal parts salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, lemon pepper, paprika, and black pepper. Adjust amounts to taste.

Tips:

1. Buy lively, energetic crawfish. Avoid lethargic ones.
2. Cook outside if possible – crawfish boils create a lot of mess.
3. Use at least 4-6 gallons of water per sack of crawfish.
4. Add vegetables like corn, potatoes, onions to the boil for flavor.
5. Stir the crawfish occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Drain and rinse boiled crawfish in a colander before eating.
7. Lay out newspaper or roll out tablecloths for easy clean-up.
8. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and plenty of napkins.

Recipes:

• Crawfish Etouffee – Saute trinity (celery, bell pepper, onion), add flour to make a roux. Add crawfish, stock, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer.
• Crawfish Monica – Make a cream sauce with butter, cream, and parmesan. Add peeled crawfish tails, pasta, and green onions.
• Crawfish Pie – Make a roux, add veggies, stock, crawfish tails. Pour into pie crust and bake.
• Cold Crawfish Salad – Mix peeled tails with diced celery, onions, mayo, creole mustard, lemon. Chill.
• Crawfish Dip – Mix together peeled tails, cream cheese, sour cream, onions, garlic, cheese, and spices. Bake until hot and bubbly.

Here are several specific model recommendations for reheating crawfish:

Microwaves:

1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor (1.2 Cu.Ft)
2. Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S Stainless Steel Countertop/Built-In with Inverter Technology
3. Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL 1800W Microwave Oven
4. GE JES1656SMSS 1.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave Oven
5. Sharp R-21LCFS 1000W Microwave Oven with Smart and Easy Cooking Sensor Technology

Ovens:

1. GE JB645RKSS 30″ Free-Standing Electric Range Oven
2. Whirlpool WFE530H0ES 30″ Electric Range with True Convection Oven
3. LG LDE4415ST Electric Range Oven with EasyClean
4. Frigidaire FFES3025PS 30″ Electric Range Oven
5. Samsung NE58F9500SS Freestanding Electric Range Oven

Stovetops:

1. Frigidaire FFGF3047LS Gallery 30″ Gas Range Oven
2. GE Profile PGP7030SLSS 30″ Gas Stovetop Oven
3. Thor Kitchen HRG3080U 30″ Gas Stovetop Oven
4. Bosch HGI8054UC 800 30″ Gas Stovetop Oven
5. KitchenAid KFGG500ESS 30″ Gas Stovetop Oven

Grills:

1. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ Grill
2. Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
3. Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D Smart Space Living 3 Burner LP Gas Grill
4. WEBER Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill
5. Pit Boss Grills PB340GK Portable Hook and Cook Pellet Grill

Reheating and serving crawfish properly helps bring out their signature sweet, tender meat. With the right technique, you can resurrect leftover crawfish into a delicious meal.