Ah, haggis! An unapologetically Scottish delicacy that has become the meal of choice at Burns’ celebrations. In spite of its controversial composition, haggis is much loved by many Scots and can be cooked in a variety of ways. But is it possible to microwave haggis?
To microwave haggis, cut it up and place it on a microwave-safe plate before microwaving on high for around 6 minutes. At the halfway point, give the haggis a mash with the back of a fork.
How to Microwave Haggis
Haggis is one of those dishes that can be prepared in several ways, and microwaving it is undoubtedly one of the easiest. Below are the steps you need to take to cook haggis to perfection in the microwave:
- Split the Bag
Cut open your haggis and remove it from the bag that it’s contained in, slicing it and placing it on a microwave-safe plate. - Cover Haggis
Wrap the plate in cling film or microwave-safe wrap so the haggis is completely covered before transferring the plate to the microwave. - Heat
Switch your microwave to high and heat the haggis for three minutes. Then, remove the plate from the microwave and mash the haggis with a fork. Once mashed, heat it for a further three minutes. - Check for Doneness
After six minutes of cooking, remove your haggis from the microwave and check its temperature. Your haggis should be 75C or 165Fwhen it’s ready to serve. If it’s not quite ready, heat it for a further 1-2 minutes. - Serve and Enjoy
Your haggis is now ready to serve alongside neeps and tatties for an authentic Scottish dish!
Yes, you can microwave frozen haggis but it will impact the texture. You’ll find that the outside dries out and overcooks. It is better to defrost the haggis overnight, slowly and then cook it in the microwave once thawed.
How to Microwave Haggis Successfully
You now have the five steps to microwaving haggis, here are our 3 tips to make it all that bit better:
- Serve with Neeps and Tatties (Of course) – Scottish tradition dictates that haggis should be served with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes, to you and me). While your haggis is microwaving, prepare a steaming hot pan of mashed potato and serve it alongside creamy turnips for the perfect Scottish supper.
- New to Haggis? Don’t Ask What it is! – If you don’t know what haggis consists of, don’t ask! Instead, enjoy the spicy, intense flavours and imagine you’re eating mince!
- Freeze It – Haggis freezes really well, both cooked and uncooked. Therefore, if you have some leftovers from your Burns’ Supper or want to save it for later in the year, you can package it up and place it in the freezer.
Why You Should Microwave Haggis
Haggis is really easy to cook in the microwave, and microwaving it is beneficial for the following reasons:
Ready In Under 10 Minutes
Microwaving haggis is the quickest way to prepare this Scottish delicacy. Other methods can take upwards of 40 minutes, so if you’re pressed for time in the kitchen, fire your haggis in the microwave and let it work its magic.
No Prep Required
Other than cutting the bag open and slicing it, you don’t need to prepare your haggis before microwaving it. This further saves you time in the kitchen and means you don’t need to have any cooking skills to heat a haggis!
As haggis doesn’t contain much moisture either, there’s little risk of it even making a mess of your microwave – as is the case with some microwaved foods!
Why You Shouldn’t Microwave Haggis
While it might be the quickest and easiest way to prepare haggis, microwaving it isn’t for everyone. There are some drawbacks you may want to be aware of:
Not the Best Texture
Arguably, the best way to prepare haggis is to fry or grill it. This gives it a crispy exterior, which perfectly complements the soft and rich interior.
Microwaving haggis means it will be soft when it has been cooked, which isn’t necessarily as delectable as other means of preparation.
Easy to Overcook
When you overheat the haggis, it will turn dry and rubbery. If your microwave is particularly powerful, you could quite easily ruin your haggis before serving it.
You could always reduce the heat if you’re concerned about this and then finish it off in the frying pan if it’s not quite ready when you remove it.
Microwaving Haggis FAQs
Got more questions about microwaving haggis? Then these might help you out:
To defrost haggis in the microwave, remove it from its packaging and place it on a plate. Cover with a paper towel and switch your microwave to defrost for 2-3 minutes. After this time, check if your haggis has thawed and if it has, proceed with heating it in any way that you choose.
Yes, haggis can be reheated in the microwave, providing that it has been stored properly beforehand. It only takes 2 to 3 minutes in the microwave to reheat it fully.
Grants of Speyside offer one of the best haggis products you can buy. Although you can microwave it, you might not want to risk ruining the texture of it so it’s probably better to fry or grill it.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
