How To Reheat Meatloaf

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If you have meatloaf leftover and want to eat it for another meal, it is important to know how to store it and how best to reheat it. Meatloaf should not be hard and dry or mushy and pasty. Meatloaf should reach the internal temperature of 165 degrees F when heated. There are quite a few ways to reheat meatloaf, with a little bit of effort you can dig into perfectly reheated meatloaf that is still fresh and juicy.

How To Reheat Meatloaf in the Oven

This is one of the best ways to reheat meatloaf as it heats the dish up evenly without drying it out.

  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  2. Place your meatloaf in a baking dish and add about 2 tablespoons of water or beef broth. This is to prevent the meatloaf from drying out.
  3. Cover your leftover meatloaf with aluminum foil and place it in the oven.
  4. Heat it for 25-30 minutes.

The meatloaf comes out tasting fresh without being dry. The water or broth that you add keeps the meatloaf moist. Make sure you don’t add too much liquid as it will turn the meatloaf soggy. The oven gives you an evenly heated meatloaf. Of course, it does require some extra time and prep, but the end result makes it worth it.

How To Reheat Meatloaf in the Microwave

If you are looking to reheat your meatloaf in a jiffy, then you have got to go with the microwave. It is the fastest and easiest way to reheat meatloaf, but keep in mind that the microwave can also change the texture of your meatloaf making it dry.

  1. Cut your meatloaf into slices and then place it in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover it with a damp paper towel and heat the meatloaf slices for 1 minute.
  3. If it is still not warm enough, stick it back in the microwave and heat it in 30-second intervals.

Always remember to slice the meatloaf before heating it in the microwave so that it heats evenly. If you try to heat it up without slicing it first, the meatloaf will be dry and hot on the outside, while the inside is still cold. And if you keep trying to reheat it this way, the outside will get dry and hard.

The microwave is the quickest way to heat the meatloaf, but the results aren’t guaranteed, and it requires a bit of trial and error.

How To Reheat Meatloaf on the Stove

This is a simple ad pretty straightforward way to reheat meatloaf. It doesn’t require too much work, but it does require a little more care to ensure that the meatloaf is heated properly and evenly.

  1. Place a skillet on the stove over low to medium heat.
  2. Add a little bit of oil or butter to the pan or skillet and add slices of meatloaf to it.
  3. Flip the meatloaf slices every few minutes to ensure that it is getting heated thoroughly.
  4. You can add a splash of water or broth to the skillet to keep the meatloaf from drying out.
  5. If you want your meatloaf on the crisp side, let it sit longer on each side and warm it on higher heat.

I like using the stovetop method to reheat meatloaf because it lets me control the temperature and time more accurately. You can also make sure it is not drying out or getting burnt and take necessary precautions to get it to heat just right.

Of course, that also means you have to keep a close watch on the skillet to make sure your meatloaf is heating to perfection.

How To Reheat Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

The Air Fryer method is simple, easy, and mess-free and gets your meatloaf warmed quickly. Your meatloaf comes out perfectly toasty.

  1. Preheat your Air Fryer to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
  3. Place the meatloaf in the basket and spray oil on it.
  4. Heat it for 3 to 5 minutes, checking halfway to ensure it is not burning.

The air fryer method works really well in reheating meatloaf. If you have actually made the meatloaf in the fryer, even better. The oil on top gives the meatloaf a nice crust while also keeping it from drying out.

The exact amount of time to reheat the meatloaf in the air fryer depends on the quantity of the meatloaf. This is why you have to check the meatloaf halfway in the fryer to make sure it is not getting burnt or overcooked.

How To Reheat Meatloaf in the Steamer

Meatloaf can also be reheated by steaming it. While this process does require a few extra steps, it does make sure that the meatloaf remains moist and tender while also heating it up evenly. You also need to have a steamer with a basket or trivet to make sure the meatloaf is getting steamed properly.

  1. If you are using a pot on the stove, add about an inch or two of water to the pot and bring it to a simmer.
  2. Slice the meatloaf and place it in the steamer basket. Place the steamer basket over the pot of water. You can also place it either on a stand or trivet, just make sure the water does not come in contact with the meatloaf.
  3. Cover the steamer basket and let the meatloaf heat.
  4. It should take no more than 5 minutes or heat it till the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Heating the meatloaf with a steamer basket is a great way to heat up the meatloaf. It keeps the meat moist and tender. But this also means that you have to keep an eye on it constantly as the water might dry up causing it to burn or too much water might make it soggy.

Also, keep in mind that sliced meatloaf heats better than a full block.

Can you freeze meatloaf?

Yes, meatloaf can be frozen, and it will stay good in the freezer for 2-3 months. Wrap the meatloaf in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container. It is best to freeze the meatloaf when it is fresh, ideally after it has cooled down and within two hours of making it.

You can reheat frozen meatloaf in any of the methods mentioned above. You can thaw it first by letting it sit out for a little while.

How long does meatloaf last in the fridge?

Meatloaf that has been stored properly will last in the fridge for about 3-5 days. Make sure it is kept in an airtight container, preferably wrapped in foil or saran wrap to retain its flavor and texture. If your meatloaf has been stored properly it can be heated to perfection using any of the above methods.

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