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How To Reheat Meatloaf

Meatloaf is such a great main course even for picky eaters. If you are fortunate to have leftovers or maybe you made a meatloaf ahead of time, it is important to know how to reheat it without drying it out.

As a favorite meal, you want to be sure not to ruin it when you reheat it. Meatloaf is known for drying out when it is reheated, but it doesn’t have to be! In this post, I am going to go over 4 simple methods on how to reheat meatloaf in a microwave, oven, air fryer, or frying pan.

You’ll be so inspired by just how easy it is to reheat meatloaf that you might just make meatloaf for your next meal train or weekly meal prep meal by the end of this post because you won’t ruin your delicious meatloaves by reheating them anymore.

Meatloaf on a cutting board with 3 cut slices

How to reheat meatloaf? You can reheat meatloaf in the microwave, oven, air fryer, or even by using a frying pan.

You want to make sure that you get the internal temperature to 160°F and add a tablespoon of beef broth when you reheat your meatloaf in order to keep it from drying out.

How to reheat meatloaf

The key thing to remember when you are reheating meatloaf is that you want to make sure that you keep it moist. It is entirely possible to reheat meatloaf piping hot and not dry it out.

Whether you are making meatloaf sandwiches with leftovers or reheating a whole meatloaf it is best to start by cutting it into 1.5-2 inch slices. This will help not only heat the meatloaf faster but also lessen how much it dries out.

The thicker the meatloaf is that you are trying to reheat the longer it will take for it to heat all of the way through which is what causes meatloaf to dry out. For moist reheated meatloaf I always recommend slicing it first.

Before you reheat your meatloaf make sure that the ground beef has not gone bad.

1. How to reheat meatloaf in the microwave

Reheating meatloaf in the microwave is certainly the quickest and easiest way to get the job done. Make sure that you use a microwave-safe container or plate with a lid when doing so.

Using a microwave splatter cover is not only good for preventing splatter but also for keeping moisture in your food.

Drizzle a 1/4 tsp of beef broth or water on each slice and cover your dish, place it in the microwave on high for 1 minute and then carefully remove the container from the microwave flip each slice over, and cook for another minute or until it is hot through each slice.

2. How to reheat meatloaf if the oven

Preheat your oven to 250°F and lay your slices of meatloaf on a sheet pan. Drizzle each slice with 1/4 teaspoon of beef broth or water and then cover the pan with foil.

Place the pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes and check the temperature in the middle of each slice making sure that it is reheated all of the way through. It may need an extra 5 minutes depending on how thick your slices are.

You can reheat an entire meatloaf if you wish. When you reheat a whole meatloaf in the oven set your oven to 225°F add 1 tablespoon of beef broth or water and then cover with tin foil.

If it starts to look like it is drying out add another tablespoon around the edge in between the pan and the meatloaf and then a little over the top as well.

Who doesn’t love pizza if you are a meatloaf fan? Learn how to reheat pizza in the oven.

3. How to reheat meatloaf in an air fryer

Air frying is a great way to reheat meatloaf. Not only does it cook through evenly but also fairly quickly as the air is constantly moving around the food.

First, line your air fryer basket with parchment paper and spray a little olive oil spray so that your meatloaf doesn’t stick. Next, lay your slices on the oiled paper.

Air frying can certainly dry out any food so you will want to be sure to add beef broth or water to each slice while it is reheating. About 1/4 tsp per slice will be just enough to keep it moist but also not too much where it will become soggy.

At 350°F cook your meatloaf for 3-5 minutes and then flip them over to cook the other as well for an additional 3-5 minutes until it is heated through.

How to reheat meatloaf in a frying pan

Preheat your pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil and add your sliced when it is good and hot. You will know when your pan is ready when the oil slides around the pan smoothly and has a shimmer to it.

Flip your slices every 2-3 minutes until it is thoroughly heated.

If you want to get a crust on the sides you can leave each side to cook a bit longer. If your pan starts to dry out add 1-2 tbsp of beef broth or water to add that moisture back into your meatloaf.

Tips for reheating meatloaf without drying it out

  1. Use beef broth or water to keep your meatloaf from drying out. 1-2 tbsp for a whole meatloaf or 1tsp per slice.
  2. Cover your meatloaf to help lock in that moisture.
  3. Only reheat it to 160°F so that it doesn’t get overcooked and dry out.
  4. Use a thermometer to check the temperature.

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