Our Heat & Serve items are designed to make your life easier—but how you reheat them makes all the difference.

These are not raw products. They are:

• Pre-made
• Pre-cooked (in most cases)
• Designed to be reheated, not re-cooked

The goal is simple: Heat them properly without drying them out, overcooking them, or ruining texture.

STARTING POINT

Not all Heat & Serve items are handled the same way.

ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE THAWED FIRST

• Smoked meats (brisket, turkey, sausage, etc.)
• Tamales (recommended, but not required)

ITEMS THAT CAN BE COOKED FROM FROZEN

• Egg rolls
• Pasta sauces
• Most fried/appetizer-style items

GENERAL REHEATING RULES

Low and Slow is Better Than Hot and Fast

High heat will:

• Dry out meats
• Break sauces
• Burn the outside before the inside heats through

Keep Moisture Where Needed

Especially for:

• Smoked meats
• Tamales

Moisture = better texture

Only Heat What You Need

Repeated reheating reduces quality quickly.

SMOKED MEATS

WHAT YOU’RE WORKING WITH

These are fully cooked, smoked products such as:

- Brisket

- Smoked turkey

- Ribs

Your goal is to reheat without drying them out.

THAWING (REQUIRED)

Best Method:

1. Keep sealed

2. Thaw in refrigerator for 24–48 hours

Faster Method:

- Cold water thaw (sealed bag)

- Change water every 30 minutes

OVEN METHOD (BEST OVERALL)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 275–300°F

2. Place meat in a baking dish

3. Add a small amount of moisture: Beef broth, Butter, Natural juices (if included)

4. Cover tightly with foil

5. Heat until warmed through

Important:

Do not overheat—this dries out the meat.

STOVETOP (FOR SLICED MEATS)

- Use low heat

- Add small amount of liquid

- Cover and heat gently

COMMON MISTAKES

• Reheating at high temperature
• Not adding moisture
• Leaving uncovered

TAMALES

WHAT YOU’RE WORKING WITH

- Fully prepared

- Wrapped

- Moisture-dependent

THAWING (RECOMMENDED)

- Thaw overnight in refrigerator for best results

STEAMING METHOD (BEST METHOD)

Instructions:

1. Add water to pot (do not submerge tamales)

2. Place tamales upright in steamer

3. Cover and steam for: 15–20 minutes (thawed) or 25–30 minutes (frozen)

MICROWAVE METHOD (QUICK OPTION)

1. Wrap tamale in damp paper towel

2. Heat 1–2 minutes

3. Check and continue in 30-second intervals

OVEN METHOD (LARGER BATCHES)

1. Wrap in foil

2. Heat at 325°F

3. Heat until warmed through

COMMON MISTAKES

• Letting tamales dry out
• Overheating
• Not adding moisture

EGG ROLLS

WHAT YOU’RE WORKING WITH

• Frozen
• Pre-assembled
• Exterior should be crisp

BEST METHOD: AIR FRYER

Instructions:

1. Preheat to 375–400°F

2. Place in single layer

3. Cook for 10–15 minutes

4. Flip halfway through

OVEN METHOD

Instructions:

1. Preheat to 400°F

2. Place on baking sheet

3. Cook for 15–20 minutes

4. Flip halfway

KEY GOAL

• Crispy outside
• Hot inside

COMMON MISTAKES

• Overcrowding
• Not flipping
• Undercooking center

PASTA SAUCES

WHAT YOU’RE WORKING WITH

• Fully prepared sauces
• Frozen or refrigerated

THAWING (IF FROZEN)

- Refrigerator thaw recommended

- Or heat gently from frozen

STOVETOP METHOD (BEST METHOD)

Instructions:

1. Place sauce in pot

2. Heat on low to medium heat

3. Stir occasionally

4. Heat until warmed through

FROM FROZEN

- Use low heat

- Stir frequently as it loosens

IMPORTANT

Do not boil aggressively—this can:

- Break the sauce

- Affect texture

TROUBLESHOOTING

Food is drying out

• Lower heat
• Add moisture
• Cover while reheating

Outside is hot, inside is cold

• Heat too high
• Lower temp and cook longer

Texture feels off

• Likely overcooked or reheated too aggressively

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Smoked Meats

• Serve with simple sides
• Slice just before serving

Tamales

• Serve with salsa, sour cream

Egg Rolls

• Serve with dipping sauces

Pasta Sauces

• Pair with fresh pasta (available in the market!)

FAMILY FRIENDLY NOTES

Very high:

• Egg rolls
• Pasta sauces
• Tamales
• Smoked meats (depends on cut)

These items are built for convenience—but taking a few extra minutes to reheat them properly makes a noticeable difference. Low heat, a little patience, and the right method will give you the best result every time.

Have questions about how to prepare something you picked up?

Ask us in-store—we’ll walk you through exactly how to cook it based on your setup at home.