Briefly, there are five ways to reheat meatloaf without drying it out: using an oven, a steamer, a skillet, an air fryer, or a microwave. All of these methods involve adding some moisture to the meatloaf and heating it gently until warm.
If you prepared meatloaf for lunch, then you have leftovers for sure, unless your family has at least ten members. This is because when preparing loaves, you get a much larger quantity of ingredients than what is needed for one lunch. It is almost as if it is impossible to make smaller meatloaves.
The problem with reheating meatloaf is the same as with the original cooking. You want to make sure it doesn’t dry out too much. There is nothing worse than a dry loaf that tastes like cardboard. That’s why we bring you some great tips on how to reheat meatloaf to make it perfectly juicy and tasty.
How To Reheat Meatloaf In An Oven
If you have some time to dedicate, best way to reheat meatloaf is an oven. It is truly the only method to guarantee that the loaf will be evenly heated, and you can also regulate the juiciness and crispiness.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 250 °F
The heating temperature should be relatively low. It will not be good if you turn on the temperature too high as the loaf will dry out and become hard. So set the oven to 250 degrees F and let it heat up.
Step 2: Add a Tablespoon of Broth and Wrap Meatloaf in Foil
Choose a baking dish that your meatloaf fits ideally. If you have an oversized container, feel free to place aluminum foil under the loaf as well. You will need to add one to two tablespoons of chicken or beef broth for meatloaf moist. You can also use water, but the taste will be better with broth. After that, cover the meatloaf well with foil.
Step 3: Bake for 20 to 30 Minutes
Place your leftovers in the oven and bake. The meat should reach a temperature of 165 degrees F to be fully and adequately heated. The time required for this is approximately 20 to 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the meatloaf, itself.
You can, of course, also use a thermometer if you have one. Stick it into the loaf, and when it reaches the desired temperature, the meatloaf is ready.
Warming Meatloaf By Steaming
Reheating by steaming will be a useful technique if your meatloaf is already a bit dry after the initial roasting. This way, you can restore its moisture. But note that you need to reheat the loaf in slices, not the whole roll.
Step 1: Place Pot of Water to Boil
Pour a little water into the pot and put it on the stove to boil. The water level should not touch the steam net you are going to put inside. The meat must not be in the water at any time, but above it.
Step 2: Place the Meat in a Steamer Basket and Cook
When the water has boiled, put the steamer basket in the pot and place the leftover meatloaf slices in it. Cover with a lid. For the meat to be ready, it must reach a temperature of 165 degrees F. Therefore, continue the steaming process until you reach the desired temperature.
Heating Meatloaf In A Skillet
Using a frying pan is a swift and easy way to reheat meatloaf leftovers. Of course, you only heat slices of loaf this way, and it is very cost-effective if you have just one or two slices.
Step 1: Place Some Oil in a Skillet and Heat Up
Put a little oil in a frying pan and set on fire over medium heat. This way, the meatloaf crust won’t burn too quickly. Instead of oil, you can put butter if you prefer such a taste.
Step 2: Put the Meatloaf Slices in the Skillet and Bake
When the oil has warmed up, put the meatloaf slices in the pan. It will take about 2 to 3 minutes on each side for the meat to heat up properly. This way, you can also get a slightly crispier crust—just let it stand a little longer on each side. However, if you want juicy and not at all crispy meatloaf, add a little liquid inside, like broth.
Warming Up Meatloaf In An Air Fryer
An air fryer will be one of the faster ways of heating, and we definitely recommend it rather than a microwave oven.
But even in this appliance, it is better to heat sliced leftovers than the whole meatloaf. It’s not that you can’t reheat it in one piece if you prefer, but then the temperature should be slightly lower, and the process will take longer for sure.
Our choice would still be a classic oven for heating the unsliced meatloaf.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 350 °F
First of all, turn on the air fryer to a medium-high temperature of 350 degrees and let it heat up thoroughly. During this time, you can prepare the leftover meatloaf in a basket.
Step 2: Slice the Meatloaf and Add a Bit of Moisture
Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with baking paper. This will prevent a mess in the fryer and allow you to add moisture as needed.
Cut the meatloaf and arrange the slices in a basket so there is little space between them. Refrain from cramming more rows so that some parts don’t remain unheated.
Then spray each side of the portion with chicken broth or another moisturizer to help the loaf retain its juiciness.
Step 3: Cook for 3 to 4 Minutes
Turn on the air fryer for 3 minutes and let the loaf heat up well. Take it out and check if it is hot enough. You can use a meat thermometer if you are unsure.
If a little more heating is needed, return it to the fryer and turn it on for an additional minute.
Reheating Meatloaf In A Microwave
And in the end, we come to the most common way of heating—using the microwave. Let’s face it. It’s easier to nuke something and be done in 2 minutes. However, there are a few tips on how you can get better results.
First of all, don’t try to heat the whole loaf in the microwave as you will get a very hot crust, and the inside will stay cold. Therefore, only heat the meatloaf slices in the microwave.
Step 1: Put the Meatloaf in a Container and Cover
Place your meatloaf leftovers in a microwave-safe container. Don’t pile them on top of each other, rather keep them in one row. If you have multiple slices, heat them separately in another round. If the meatloaf is a little dry, you can put a soaked paper towel on it. Cover with a secure lid leaving a small opening so that steam can escape.
Step 2: Nuke for 1 to 2 Minutes on Both Sides
Put the meatloaf in the microwave and heat for one to two minutes, depending on how thick the slices are. Then, take it out and flip each piece. Return to heating for another 1 or 2 minutes.
FAQs
How long will cooked meatloaf last in the fridge?
If stored properly in a container with a lid, cooked meatloaf will last in the refrigerator for approximately 3 to 4 days. If you think the smell is wrong or has some strange appearance on it like mold, it means that the loaf has gone bad.
Can you freeze cooked meatloaf?
Yes, you can freeze cooked meatloaf. It is best to do this the same day it is baked to retain its flavor and juiciness. When you want to eat it, take it out of the freezer, defrost it completely and reheat it with any of the suggested techniques.
Can I reheat my meatloaf leftovers more than once?
As with other foods, it is recommended to reheat leftovers only once. If you must reheat more than once, do it carefully to avoid food poisoning by reheated meatloaf.
How do you reheat meatloaf at 350?
To reheat meatloaf at 350°F (175°C), place it in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to retain moisture. Heat it in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is thoroughly heated without overcooking.
Conclusion
When it comes to reheating a meatloaf, you can choose any of the suggested methods that suits you best at the moment. If you have a whole loaf in one piece, we recommend you opt for an oven as this will be the best way. If you have a sliced meatloaf, you can choose to reheat on the stove, in the microwave, an air fryer or by steaming. Add some meat sauce afterward, and enjoy.
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.
