Yes, Applebee’s to go containers are generally microwavable if made of black polypropylene (#5), but you must remove clear lids and foam boxes first.
We have all been there. You just finished a great meal at Applebee’s, but that Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp was too much to handle in one sitting. You ask for a box, pack it up, and head home. The next day, hunger strikes. You grab the black container from the fridge and head straight for the microwave. But then you pause.
Is it actually safe to zap that plastic tray? Or are you about to melt plastic into your pasta? Knowing which takeaway containers can handle the heat and which ones will warp or release chemicals is necessary for any leftover lover. Most Applebee’s locations use sturdy, black plastic containers that look durable, but looks can be deceiving when high heat enters the equation.
This guide breaks down exactly how to handle those containers, decipher the symbols on the bottom, and ensure your reheated meal tastes just as good as it did in the booth.
Are Applebee’s To Go Containers Microwavable?
The short answer depends entirely on the specific packaging your local restaurant uses. While supply chains vary, the vast majority of Applebee’s locations currently utilize black, rectangular or round containers made of heavy-duty plastic for their main entrees. These are designed to hold heat during the drive home, which suggests they have some thermal resistance.
However, “thermal resistance” and “microwave safe” are not always identical. The base of the container—the black part—is usually safe for reheating. These are typically made from Polypropylene (PP), which has a high melting point and handles microwave radiation well. You can usually heat these for short bursts without the container losing its structural integrity.
The problem usually lies with the lid. The clear plastic lids that snap onto these black bases are often made from a different, cheaper plastic. These clear tops are rarely heat-resistant. If you leave the lid on tight and hit start, steam builds up, and the plastic can warp, melt, or shrink rapidly, potentially dripping onto your food. Always remove the lid before heating.
Recognizing The Material Differences
Not every item you order comes in the heavy-duty black tub. Side dishes, desserts, or appetizers might arrive in Styrofoam clamshells, cardboard boxes, or foil-lined bags. You must treat each of these differently.
Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is never microwave-safe for reheating meals, despite what some older habits dictate. It can melt and leach chemicals into hot food. Cardboard boxes, often used for fries or appetizers, might contain metal fasteners or waxy coatings that spark or melt. Identifying the container type is your first step before cooking.
Common Applebee’s Container Types & Safety Status
To make your decision easier, review this breakdown of the most common packaging items found in an Applebee’s takeout bag. This covers the standard materials used across most US locations.
| Container Item | Material Composition | Microwave Safety Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black Entree Base | Polypropylene (#5 Plastic) | Safe (Top rack/Reheat mode) |
| Clear Plastic Lid | PET or Polystyrene (#1 or #6) | Unsafe (Remove before heating) |
| White Foam Clamshell | Expanded Polystyrene | Unsafe (Melts/Leaches) |
| Cardboard Fry Box | Paperboard with Coating | Caution (Short bursts only) |
| Souffle/Sauce Cup | Clear Plastic (PET) | Unsafe (Will melt) |
| Brown Paper Bag | Recycled Paper | Safe (If no metal/foil) |
| Foil Wrapper (Ribs/Tacos) | Aluminum Foil | Unsafe (Fire hazard) |
| Soup Container (Paper) | Wax-Coated Paper | Caution (Seams may split) |
Deciphering The Codes On The Bottom
You do not have to guess. The most reliable way to confirm safety is to flip the container over (after you empty it, or hold it carefully above your head). You are looking for a resin identification code. This is a number stamped inside a triangle of arrows.
The #5 Symbol (Polypropylene)
If you see a number 5 inside the triangle, or the letters “PP” stamped below it, you are in luck. Polypropylene is the gold standard for microwave-safe takeout containers. It is heat-resistant up to approximately 250°F (121°C). Since water boils at 212°F, this plastic can withstand the temperature of your food getting hot without warping.
This is the material used for the black entree bowls. It is tough, flexible, and chemically stable during short reheating cycles. However, even with #5 plastic, it is smart to avoid heating fatty or sugary foods (like caramel sauce or pure grease) for too long. Fats and sugars can exceed the boiling point of water and potentially damage even robust plastics.
The #1 and #6 Symbols (Avoid These)
The clear lids are often marked with a #1 (PET/PETE) or a #6 (PS). PET plastic is great for water bottles and cold salads, but it has a low melting point. It creates a greenhouse effect if left on top of food in the microwave, warping almost instantly.
Number 6 is Polystyrene. In its rigid form, it is used for cookie trays and lids. In its expanded form, it is Styrofoam. Both handle heat poorly and are notorious for leaching styrene, a likely carcinogen, when heated. If you see #6, keep it out of the microwave.
Risks Of Heating The Wrong Plastic
Why all the fuss about checking the number? Putting the wrong plastic in the microwave does more than just ruin a container. It can ruin the food and potentially impact your health.
Chemical Leaching
When plastics not designed for heat are exposed to microwave energy, they can destabilize. This allows chemical additives—used to make the plastic clear or flexible—to migrate into your food. This is particularly true for fatty foods like the cheese on your pasta or the butter on your broccoli.
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, certain chemicals found in plastics can act as endocrine disruptors. While modern food containers are BPA-free, other compounds can still leach from non-microwave-safe plastics like Styrofoam or PET lids.
Physical Melting And Warping
We have all seen a sauce cup shrink into a tiny, twisted disc. This physical deformation is messy. If a lid melts onto your Grilled Oriental Chicken Salad, you cannot just pick the plastic off. Micro-particles of plastic likely embedded themselves into the dressing and the meat. At that point, the entire meal is waste. Saving thirty seconds by not transferring food to a plate is not worth losing the whole meal.
Best Practices For Reheating Applebee’s Leftovers
Once you verify that your black base is safe (look for that #5!), you still need a strategy. Blasting high heat for three minutes will leave you with rubbery chicken and nuclear-hot sauce spots. A gentle approach yields better results.
Ventilation Is Necessary
Since you removed the clear lid, you need a new cover. Using the microwave without a cover leads to splatters (cleaning dry tomato sauce is a nightmare) and dries out the food. Place a damp paper towel over the top of the black container. This traps steam to keep the food moist while allowing excess pressure to escape.
The Power Level Trick
Microwaves work by exciting water molecules. This happens violently at 100% power. To mimic the texture of a fresh meal, lower the power to 50% or 70%. Heat the food in 60-second intervals, stirring in between. This distributes the heat evenly and prevents the edges of the container from getting too hot, which protects the plastic integrity.
Dish-Specific Reheating Guide
Not all Applebee’s menu items react the same way to being reheated. The method you use should match the density and moisture content of the food.
Pasta And Rice Dishes
Dishes like the Three-Cheese Chicken Penne dry out quickly in the fridge. Before you microwave the container, add a tablespoon of water or a splash of milk to the box. The liquid will turn into steam, rehydrating the sauce and keeping the noodles tender. Cover with a paper towel and heat at 50% power.
Boneless Wings And Chicken Tenders
Fried foods struggle in the microwave. The breading absorbs moisture from the air inside the fridge, becoming soggy. Microwaving them in the plastic container often results in a mushy mess. For these, it is better to take them out of the container entirely and use an air fryer or toaster oven. If you must use the microwave, place a dry paper towel under the chicken inside the container to absorb excess grease and moisture.
Riblets And Steaks
Meat requires gentle heat. High heat causes muscle fibers to contract, squeezing out juice and leaving you with shoe leather. Keep these in the black container with the sauce. Add a little extra barbecue sauce if you have it. Heat on medium power. If the container feels too hot to touch, let it sit for a minute before handling; the hot fats in the meat can make the plastic floor extremely hot.
Spinach And Artichoke Dip
This appetizer is dense. If you microwave it straight, the edges will boil while the center stays frozen. Stirring is non-negotiable here. Zap it for 45 seconds, stir thoroughly, and repeat. The black container handles this well, but be careful of cheese bubbling over the edge.
Alternatives To Microwaving The Container
Even if the container is technically safe, it might not be the best vessel for cooking. Transferring food to real cookware usually results in a better meal.
The Glass Plate Method
Ceramic and glass hold heat better than thin plastic. By plating your food before heating, you ensure even cooking. Plus, you avoid any risk of plastic additives, however small the risk may be with #5 plastic. It also feels more like a meal and less like a sad desk lunch.
Oven Reheating
NEVER put the plastic Applebee’s container in the oven or toaster oven. It will melt instantly and create a toxic smoke hazard. If you want to use the oven—which is superior for ribs and fries—transfer the food to a baking sheet lined with foil. Heat at 350°F until warmed through. This crisps up breading that the microwave would ruin.
Stovetop Skillet
For pasta or stir-fry dishes, a skillet is faster and tastier. Dump the contents of the container into a pan with a little oil or butter. This chars the edges slightly and brings back the texture of the vegetables in a way a plastic box in a microwave never could.
Reheating Time & Method Reference
Use this quick reference to decide if you should use the container or switch methods based on what you ordered.
| Menu Item | Recommended Method | Container Safe? |
|---|---|---|
| Riblets / Ribs | Oven (Foil Wrapped) | No (Transfer out) |
| Chicken Pasta | Microwave (50% Power) | Yes (Black base only) |
| French Fries | Air Fryer / Toaster Oven | No (Will get soggy) |
| Steak / Salmon | Skillet (Low heat) | No (Transfer out) |
| Mashed Potatoes | Microwave | Yes (Black base) |
| Broccoli / Veggies | Microwave (Steam) | Yes (Cover with damp towel) |
| Burgers | Disassemble & Skillet | No (Bun gets hard) |
Disposal And Recycling Of Applebee’s Containers
Once you finish that second round of Applebee’s, you are left with the packaging. Throwing sturdy plastic in the trash feels wasteful, but recycling rules can be tricky.
Clean Before You Bin
Most recycling centers reject items contaminated with food. That grease stain or leftover marinara makes the plastic unprocessable. You must rinse the black container with hot water and soap. If it is relatively clean, you can place it in your recycling bin, provided your local facility accepts #5 (PP) plastics. Check your local municipal guidelines, as acceptance varies by city.
Reuse Potential
Because these black containers are dishwasher safe (top rack recommended), they make excellent Tupperware alternatives. You can use them for:
- Storing raw ingredients for meal prep.
- Organizing small items in a garage or junk drawer.
- Sending leftovers home with guests (so you don’t lose your good glass containers).
However, once the surface becomes scratched or cracked, recycle it. Scratches can harbor bacteria that the dishwasher might not reach.
The Verdict On Clear Clamshells
Occasionally, usually for salads or cold wraps, Applebee’s uses a clear plastic clamshell. This is a single piece of plastic where the lid is hinged to the base. These are almost exclusively PET (#1) plastic.
Do not microwave these under any circumstances. They warp within seconds. The heat from the food alone can sometimes distort them if the car ride home is long. If your hot meal came in one of these—perhaps because the restaurant ran out of black bowls—you must transfer the food to a plate immediately. Attempting to reheat food inside clear clamshells is a recipe for disaster.
Why Applebee’s Uses These Specific Containers
You might wonder why restaurants don’t just use materials that are foolproof. It comes down to a balance of cost, presentation, and durability. The black polypropylene bases are rigid enough to stack in a delivery bag without crushing the food. They present the food nicely against the dark background, making the colors of the vegetables and sauces pop.
More importantly, they are leak-resistant. Paper boxes often get soggy and leak sauce onto your car seat. The plastic snap-shut design prevents this. The trade-off is that the customer needs to be educated on proper reheating. By understanding the #5 symbol, you navigate this trade-off effectively.
Final Safety Tips For Leftovers
Food safety extends beyond the container. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of being served. When reheating, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to kill any bacteria that might have grown.
If you reheat the food in the black container and notice white pitting or a rough texture on the bottom of the plastic afterwards, this indicates the food got too hot and damaged the surface. While accidental ingestion of a tiny amount of inert plastic is not usually an immediate medical emergency, you should discard that container and not reuse it for storage.
Handling your Applebee’s leftovers correctly ensures you get two great meals for the price of one. Check the bottom for the number 5, ditch the clear lid, use a paper towel, and heat gently. Your lunch is saved.