It is, therefore, very wise to prepare a more considerable amount of meatballs in advance and freeze them so that you always have lunch ready when you need it.
When reheating, it is essential to keep the juiciness that the dish originally had, so it does not dry out and become stiff and inedible.
With a few simple tips, you will be a master of reheating meatballs, and none of your family members will even notice that you just reheated the dish, that is, that it was not freshly prepared.
Reheating Meatballs In An Oven
The oven is the best method if you are preheating meatballs without the sauce. With this technique, you will be able to heat the balls all the way to the core gradually, and they will be just as delicious as it was in the beginning.
A big problem with reheating meatballs is that the outside heats up too quickly while the inside stays icy. It is neither tasty nor healthy because you have to heat the meat properly to be safe for consumption. With the help of an oven, you will easily solve this problem.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 350 °F
It is important that the temperature is not maximum so that the meatballs’ outer crust does not burn. Set the oven to 350 degrees F, the ideal heating temperature, and let it heat up thoroughly.
Step 2: Put Meatballs on a Baking Tray and Heat
Arrange the meatballs on a baking tray and leave a little space between each so that it heats up nicely on all sides. Put in the oven and heat for about 15 minutes.
If you have a thermometer, you can check if it is well heated. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut one ball and make sure it’s hot inside.
Reheating Meatballs On A Stovetop
A completely different method of reheating applies to meatballs that are dipped in the sauce. In that case, opt for a stove instead of an oven, and do it slowly.
It won’t help you much if you decide to turn the fire on the strongest as you will fail to heat the inside of the balls thoroughly. Here is the right technique.
Step 1: Put the Meatballs in a Pot and Cover
Put the meatballs together with the complete sauce in the pot in which you will heat them. If you have a slightly larger amount, prefer to opt for a somewhat wider pot so that everything has enough space. Then, cover the pot.
Step 2: Heat over a Lower Temperature
Turn the stove to medium heat and place the pot with the meatballs to warm up. The goal is to gradually heat the entire content without the sauce boiling. This way, you will heat the meatballs nicely and evenly all the way to the core.
The warm-up will take a minimum of 20 minutes, you can be sure of that, so arm yourself with patience. Stir occasionally and make sure to heat everything thoroughly.
FAQs
Can I reheat meatballs in a microwave?
Yes, you can reheat meatballs in the microwave if you are in a hurry, although the result will undoubtedly be much better with the techniques we have recommended.
However, if you opt for a microwave, the advice is to heat on a slightly lighter volume and, if you can, cut the meatballs into smaller pieces to better heat the inside. If you have meatballs without sauce, you can also put a damp paper towel over them to keep them from drying out.
How can you properly store meatballs?
If you are storing meatballs to consume them soon, it is recommended that you put them in a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator. It would be good not to keep them at room temperature for more than 2 hours so that bacteria do not start to develop.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For more extended storage, be sure to put them in the freezer immediately, as this will extend their shelf life up to 3 or 4 months.
How do I know if the meatballs have gone bad?
If you are unsure whether your leftover meatballs are safe to eat, you can always rely on your sense of smell first. If they start to smell harsh, know that something is wrong. Also, they should not have any signs of discoloration or the appearance of mold on them. If you notice anything suspicious, you rather throw away the meatballs than risk the health of yourself or your family.
How long can meatballs stay in the fridge?
Cooked meatballs (chicken, beef, turkey) should last in the fridge between 3 to 4 days.
Conclusion
Meatballs will be a great meal whenever you run out of ideas of what to prepare for your family. You can add mashed potatoes, vegetables, rice, and almost anything you can think of as a side dish.
Kids mostly adore meatballs because, let’s be honest, what’s there to dislike. Round food with your favorite meat is simply a complete hit.
So, feel free to save time and prepare larger quantities of meatballs in advance. You can freeze them and then reheat when you need to. You will need to do a different technique if you heat up those meatballs that have sauce and those that don’t. With our tips, you can be sure that you will get the best result.
*image by depositphotos.com/iaroshenko.marina.gmail.com
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
