Hate dry meatloaf? Then it’s time to learn how to reheat meatloaf so it’s just as moist and delicious as the day you made it.
Avoid ruining your leftover meatloaf by following any of these tried and tested reheating methods.
Meatloaf is undoubtedly one of the most scrumptious dishes in the entire planet. It’s a little complicated to make, though. So when I do, I make sure to whip up several loaves at a time, and save the rest for another day.
The problem with leftover meatloaf, though, is that sometimes it dries out when reheated. What a shame, considering all the time and effort to make it!
If you don’t want to put all that hard work to waste, you have to learn the best ways to reheat your meatloaf. I’ve got several options for you, so you can pick which one suits your circumstances best.
So, if you’re ready, let’s get cooking!
How To Reheat Meatloaf in the Oven
For me, the oven is the best way to reheat meatloaf. Why? Because it’s always best to reheat food with the same appliance you used to cook it with.
And, with an oven, you are guaranteed that the meatloaf will reheat evenly. We all know how annoying those cold spots are!
Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven heats fast, you can opt to preheat it to 225 degrees instead.
- Place your leftover meatloaf in a shallow baking dish. Drop 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or beef broth to avoid drying out the meat. You don’t want to overdo it either, otherwise you’ll be left with soggy meatloaf.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it on the center rack of the oven. Reheat for 25-30 minutes.
How to Reheat Meatloaf in the Microwave
While the oven is the best method for heating, the microwave is the easiest. It’s also perfect if you’re only reheating a few slices.
- To start, place meatloaf slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Do not reheat a whole loaf in the microwave – this will only leave you with a dry exterior and cool interior. Yikes!
- Cover the plate with a damp paper towel.
- Reheat the slices for a minute on a low setting. Don’t be tempted to increase the temperature because this won’t allow the meat to warm evenly.
- Check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. You want it to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If it’s not hot enough yet, place it back in the microwave and reheat in 30-second increments. There’s no one specific duration for reheating meatloaf because every microwave differs from one another.
How to Reheat Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
The air fryer is a good option, too, especially if you used it to cook your meatloaf.
- Start by lining the basket with air fryer parchment paper. Spray both sides of your meatloaf slices with cooking spray.
- Reheat meatloaf slices for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Reheat Meatloaf Slices (using a skillet)
The skillet is another great tool for reheating meatloaf slices. Here’s how:
- Preheat your skillet with oil. Butter or bacon grease both work too.
- The temperature of your burner will depend on your desired consistency. If you want crisp edges, reheat your meatloaf at medium heat. If you want it tender all the way, reheat it at medium low.
- Once your skillet is warm, add the meatloaf slices. Flip them every so often to ensure even cooking. But if you want it to form a crisp crust, flip it less.
- If you notice your pan getting dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or beef broth.
- You’ll want the meatloaf’s internal temperature to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, so stick a meat thermometer in there to check.
Tips & Tricks
Some people recommend undercooking meatloaf to avoid dryness, but I find that too risky. According to the USDA, you must always reheat ground meat to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit for safety.
A meat thermometer is your best friend at identifying the temperature of your meatloaf. For an accurate reading, be sure to insert it horizontally (from the side) and not from the top.
While you can reheat your meatloaf in the microwave, it won’t give you great quality meatloaf as an oven would. But, if you have no choice but the microwave, I suggest you get a microwave browner or crisper plate.
This kitchen cookware will reheat meatloaf beautifully in the microwave. It absorbs the energy from the microwave and uses it to warm the surface of the browning dish, giving you meatloaf that crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside quality.
Best of all, it works for other crisp foods as well, such as pizza, fries, and hash browns.
If you’ve done everything you can but still ended up with a dry meatloaf, don’t toss them out just yet. Just crumble those leftover slices and make a meat sauce! Perfect for spaghetti.
Meatloaf Recipes You Have to Try
Mexican Meatloaf
Cowboy Meatloaf
Alton Brown’s Meatloaf
Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf
How to Reheat Meatloaf (4 Simple Ways)
10
minutes30
minutesIngredients
Leftover meatloaf
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place leftover meatloaf in a shallow oven-safe dish. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of broth or water to keep the meatloaf moist.
- Cover the dish with foil. Reheat for 25-30 minutes. Let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before serving. Slice and enjoy!
I am struggling to find how to reheat cooked, frozen, thawed mini meatloaves in the microwave for my work lunch. Microwave is the only option available at most work places.
Hi Neen!
To reheat cooked, frozen, then thawed mini meatloaves in the microwave, here’s what to do:
1. Place the meatloaf in a microwave-safe container or plate.
2. Add a splash (1 tablespoon or so) of water – or cover the meatloaf with a damp paper towel or microwave lid (the kind with a vent). If you have an airtight container, just place the lid on top at a slight angle so the steam can escape.
3. Set the microwave to medium power (high will dry the edges) and reheat for 1 minute. Check on the meatloaf, then microwave in 30-second intervals until hot.
4. When hot, let the meatloaf rest for a couple of minutes to absorb the juices, then dig in!
Hope this helps!