If you’re considering of freezing meatloaf, you’ve come to the right spot; this tutorial will teach you all you need to know. Let’s get started!

Can You Freeze Meatloaf?

If you’re wondering, “Can you freeze meatloaf?” Yes, you can, in a nutshell! There are several reasons why meatloaf should be frozen.

Having a ton of leftovers is one thing, but you can also opt to freeze meatloaf ahead of time so that you have a meal ready to go at any time!

Although meatloaf isn’t the most difficult meal to prepare, heating frozen meatloaf is considerably simpler! The key is knowing how to freeze meatloaf properly, which we are about to show you.

How To Freeze Meatloaf

The first thing you should know about freezing meatloaf is that, like any other meat, you can freeze cooked meatloaf as well as prepared but uncooked meatloaf.

When it comes to releasing meatloaf, whether cooked or raw, you have two alternatives. You have the option of putting it in a plastic container such as Tupperware or a resealable plastic bag.

If you opt to freeze the meatloaf in a plastic bag, remove all of the air from the bag before putting it in the freezer. If there is too much air in the bag when you put it in the freezer, it will not last as long.

Make careful to properly label the meatloaf after placing it in either a Tupperware or a plastic bag. When labeling the container, include the date the meatloaf was produced and the date it was frozen.

How Long Will Meatloaf Last in the Fridge/Freezer?

You can keep cooked meatloaf in the fridge for a long if you store it securely in a resealable plastic bag or a Tupperware container. You should be aware that meatloaf will only survive three to four days in a plastic bag or container before becoming rancid.

Of course, you may significantly prolong that time by putting it in the freezer instead. Meatloaf kept in the freezer lasts longer than meatloaf kept in the fridge.

So, how long can you keep cooked meatloaf in the freezer? Meatloaf may be stored in the freezer for three to four months. When taken out by the third or fourth month, it tastes the finest and retains the most flavor. It will, however, be safe to consume for much longer.

Meatloaf with sauce seems to freeze better than meatloaf without sauce. This is because the sauce will assist the meatloaf keep its texture after it has been frozen. When dry meatloaf is frozen, it is more likely to turn mushy when thawed.

It’s pointless to keep meatloaf in the freezer just to have it get mushy when you take it out to serve! Keeping this in mind, if you want to freeze meatloaf to serve later, make sure it includes a sauce to keep the texture.

How to Tell If Your Frozen Meatloaf Is Bad

Now that you’ve learned more about freezing meatloaf, let’s talk about how to determine whether your frozen meatloaf has gone bad. While frozen meatloaf may be eaten after three to four months, you should still examine it to determine whether it has gone rotten.

Keep in mind that if the plastic is punctured, the meatloaf will spoil. If you’ve been transferring items in and out of the freezer often, this may happen rapidly. All it takes is a scratch from the corner of a box or a jab from anything sharp to ruin your frozen meatloaf.

If the bag is perforated, the meatloaf will not spoil immediately, but it will not last as long as it should. Alternatively, if you placed it in a Tupperware container, be cautious while transferring items into and out of the freezer. If a box gets stuck on the edge of the lid, it may pull it up enough to leave the lid partly open, causing the same issue.

There are various methods to detect whether meatloaf in the freezer has gone rotten. First and foremost, if you find mold on it, it has gone bad and must be removed. To prevent spreading an unpleasant stench, throw it away and remove the garbage bag from the interior of your house.

Meatloaf that has gone rotten will smell strange and taste strange. Before consuming the meatloaf, you should check to see whether it has gone rotten. Testing meatloaf to discover whether it has gone bad should only be done as a last option.

What to Do with Frozen Meatloaf

It’s time to cook your meatloaf when you take it out of the freezer and check to see whether it’s still good. The whole concept of freezing meatloaf is based on the notion of doing something with it later. Here’s how to turn frozen meatloaf into something yummy!

Don’t worry if you can’t think of what to do with it or if you forget why you put it in the freezer in the first place. We’ve got you covered; here’s some ideas!

First and first, if you already have a completely formed meatloaf, congratulations! A small pan, a pastry brush, oven mitts, and a cooking thermometer are all you need.

To begin cooking the dinner, cover the meatloaf in foil and place it in a shallow baking pan. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. After the oven has been properly warmed, place the meatloaf on the middle rack for an hour.

After one hour, remove the meatloaf from the oven using your oven mitts. Uncover it and use your pastry brush to add a beautiful glaze. Finally, return it to the oven, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes. When the timer goes off or the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 165 F, whichever comes first, it will be scrumptious and ready to eat!

After taking it out of the oven, all you have to do is arrange some big pieces on your plates and it’s ready to serve. Of course, you may always supplement the dinner with some side dishes.Green beans, mashed potatoes, and asparagus go great with meatloaf.

Another excellent way to reheat frozen meatloaf is to take it out early in the morning and cook it in a skillet with a fried egg. Crumbled meatloaf and fried eggs taste just as good, if not better, than corned beef hash and eggs.

The Big Conclusion

You now have plenty of information on how to properly freeze meatloaf and transform it into a tasty supper. Meatloaf is an incredibly versatile and sadly overlooked meal. It is inexpensive to produce and store. If you have a hectic lifestyle, you may save time by cooking, freezing, and serving meatloaf.

When you’re running late at work and worried about what to do for supper, pull out some frozen meatloaf. Your family will be pleased, and you will be able to unwind!

If you’re feeling extra daring, experiment making vegan meatloaf. Vegan meatloaf may also be frozen. Just be sure you label it and be mindful of the ingredients you use!

As a last suggestion, consider adding ketchup to your meatloaf. Not only does ketchup taste great with meatloaf, but it also helps it freeze better! Remember how we mentioned meatloaf with sauce freezes better because it keeps more of its original texture? The similar effect may be obtained by using ketchup!

Now that you know how to freeze meatloaf, you can start freezing it and eating it! Don’t be hesitant to experiment with new recipes. Meatloaf is extremely adaptable, so if you come across a new meatloaf recipe, try it!

More on freezing:

• Can You Freeze Deli Meat?
• Can You Freeze Fudge?
• Can You Freeze Sauerkraut?