How to Reheat Meatloaf? Easy Steps to Follow

ByClaire Lore Posted on Updated on :
Meat loaf with barbecue sauce on the wooden board

Meatloaf is a delicacy that takes hours to prep and cook, so it is not a surprise that most people make them in larger batches and have leftovers the next day. For someone like me, who enjoys their meatloaf fresh out of the oven, I have mastered the tricks of reheating it.

The one reason why people are afraid of reheating meatloaf is that it dries out pretty quickly. And, the last thing that anyone wants is to eat a piece of dried meatloaf. 

Don’t fret because this article will include every last detail that you need to know about how to reheat meatloaf that’s leftover without drying it.

Ways to Reheat Meatloaf 

Meatloaf with green beans

If you have a lot of leftover meatloaf from the other day, don’t fret. There are a few easy ways to reheat your meatloaf without drying it out. I have tried and tested out a few of my methods, which I will share here.

In the Microwave

If you don’t want any hassle and want to reheat your leftover meatloaf fast, using a microwave is your safest bet. It is not necessarily the best option if you are reheating an entire loaf, but it works well if you have a few slices that need a quick reheating.

Steps to follow:

  • Take a microwave-safe container and cut down the meatloaf into single layer slices, and lay them down.
  • Cover the plate or the container with a wet paper towel to help retain the moisture in the loaf.
  • Once that is done, turn on the microwave and reheat the slices in the low to medium heat settings for 1-2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices.
  • If possible, insert a meat thermometer and wait till the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you pull them out of the microwave.

In the Oven

You can’t compete with the results you get from reheating the meatloaf in an oven. It is hands down the best way out of them all, but it does take quite some time. So, if you are in a rush and have guests waiting around, I wouldn’t suggest you try this. Instead, try out a quicker alternative. 

But, if you don’t want to compromise the quality of the meatloaf and want it to taste like how it tasted fresh out of the oven, put it back in there.

Steps to follow:

  • Again, I would suggest you reheat individual slices of meatloaf instead of reheating the entire loaf. So, cut them into slices, if you haven’t already.
  • Once you have the leftover slices, wrap them individually in an aluminum foil before putting them in the oven. Using a damp paper towel works equally well.
  • Preheat your oven for 2-3 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit before you put them in the oven.
  • Once the preheating is done, you can line up the wrapped meatloaf slices on a baking tray and then put it inside the oven.
  • You can use the broil settings if you don’t want to overdo the reheating.
  • Generally, it should take around 20-30 minutes for the reheating process to be done completely.
How to Reheat Meatloaf

In the Air Fryer

It is comparatively a new procedure that many individuals are trying, including me. I wanted to see what the hype was all about, and I was shocked by how good it turned out. So, I thought I’d share this process as well.

Steps to follow:

  • Start by taking out the air fryer’s basket and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking or leaving behind any kinds of fat residues.
  • Put the meatloaf slices inside the basket and then reheat it for up to 5 minutes, depending on how many slices and how thick the slices are.
  • If you are wondering about the temperature, set it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results.

In the Skillet

It is likely the most accessible option for reheating since not every person has the appliances lying around in their kitchen. But, reheating your leftover meatloaf in a skillet requires you to keep a close eye because of how quickly it can reheat and then burn. So, if you have some time on your hands, give this one a try.

Steps to follow:

  • Start by taking a skillet and then lining it with some oil or butter and put it on the gas stove to preheat for a few minutes.
  • Once done, lay down the meatloaf slices on the skillet and set the temperature from low to medium heat to prevent drying out the meatloaf.
  • Ensure that you flip the meatloaf now and then to prevent it from browning up too much on one side.
  • In case the meatloaf starts looking dry on the skillet, add some more butter or broth to moisten it up.
  • If you have a meat thermometer, insert it into the meatloaf and wait till it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before taking it out.

In the Steamer Basket

If you are worried that reheating would dry out your meatloaf, try a steamer basket. Not only does it retain the moisture in the meatloaf, but it also reheats it perfectly without any burning or excess browning on the sides.

Steps to follow:

  • Start by adding up to 2 cups of water to the pot and wait till it heats up to a simmer.
  • Once done, spread out the meatloaf slices and reheat them in the steamer basket and make sure you cover it well.
  • Simmer the pot till the internal temperature of the slices reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also Read:
How to Reheat a Calzone?
How to Reheat Falafels
How to Reheat Shrimp?

Conclusion

Cooking a meatloaf takes a lot of practice, and reheating it is an even bigger headache. The methods that I have shared here are all fool-proof and tried and tested by me, which is one reason I am confident you wouldn’t regret trying any of them out. If you had to ask me to choose one of the best ways out of them all, I would suggest you try reheating in an oven.

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