Hand putting a bowl of oatmeal in the microwave

Just as when you use a stovetop, food safety is important! Here are some microwave food safety tips:

  • Arrange foods in a dish evenly and cover with a lid. Make sure to loosen the lid so steam can escape.
  • Do NOT cook large cuts of meat at high power. Cook at medium power and for a longer period making sure you check frequently for doneness.
  • Stir or rotate food to eliminate cold spots where bacteria can survive.
  • Use only cookware that is manufactured for microwave use.
  • Never use plastic storage bags, brown paper, plastic bags, newspapers, or aluminum foil in a microwave oven.
  • Plastic containers from take-out should not be used in microwave ovens.
  • Cook beef, pork, lamb, chops, and roasts to a minimum temperature of 145 F. and allow to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.
  • Cook all poultry to a minimum temperature of 165 F. and, likewise, allow it to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.

Recipes

References

Massachusetts SNAP-Ed