If you are like me, then there is a high chance that you like meatloaf too.
But if you cooked more than you can eat once, saving the leftovers can be a challenge sometimes.
Can you freeze cooked meatloaf? Fortunately, you can freeze cooked meatloaf. Freezing is the best way to store the leftover cooked meatloaf.
In this post, I will share with you some tips on how you can freeze your leftover cooked meatloaf.
If you want to learn more, feel free to read further.
How to freeze cooked meatloaf?
Freezing cooked meatloaf is the best way to preserve it. Freezing cooked meatloaf helps you store it for a longer period of time.
Freezing the cooked meatloaf helps prevent food poisoning and other common resultant problems such as foodborne illnesses.
There is a high chance that your fresh meatloaf will have good taste if you follow these tips on how to freeze cooked meatloaf.
So, here are some tips on how to freeze cooked meatloaf:
Tip 1
Wrap the leftover meatloaves in tight plastic wrap or aluminum foil before putting them in freezer bags or containers.
Tip 2
Use heavy-duty freezer bags or containers that can prevent oxygen from getting into the food container to keep your meatloaf fresh.
Tip 3
Always remember to put in an oxygen absorber once you place your meatloaves in the freezer bag or container.
The absorber removes all of the gasses including oxygen.
Thus, it will help prevent most oxidization reactions and allow you to keep food for a longer period of time without any problem.
Tip 4
Once your meat has been frozen completely, be sure to mark an “expiry date” on each bag or container so that you know when to take it out and use it again.
Tip 5
If you reheat that leftover cooked meatloaves before eating them, be sure to heat them thoroughly because some bacteria and germs are killed at temperatures above 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long can cooked meatloaf be stored in the freezer?
You should store cooked meatloaf in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
To make that cooked meatloaves last in the freezer longer than the recommended period, you should use heavy-duty freezer bags or containers.
The thickness of the plastic bag or container will help to prevent oxygen from getting into your meatloaf and cause oxidization reactions which may decrease the quality of your cooked meatloaf.
How long does uncooked meatloaf last in the freezer?
Uncooked meatloaf can last in the freezer for about 1 to 2 months.
If you haven’t already frozen it, I suggest cooking your uncooked meatloaf right away after buying so that you can store the cooked leftover in the freezer for a longer period of time.
It is best to put it in heavy-duty freezer bags or containers and vacuum seal them using an appliance with a built-in vacuum sealer.
Once your cooked leftover meatloaves are ready, make sure they stay tightly sealed until right before eating them so as not to lose their freshness.
You should consider storing uncooked meatloaf this way because once you take it out of the freezer, it could go bad faster than any other food if left uneaten for too long.
Can you freeze cooked meatloaf slices?
Yes, you can freeze cooked meatloaf slices. It is really easy to do.
Once your meatloaves are ready, slice them into uniformly thin pieces and place them in freezer bags or containers lined with wax paper before putting them in the freezer.
That way, you can separate each piece easily later for individual use when needed.
If you don’t want to separate the pieces by yourself, then try freezing whole uncooked meatloaf instead of sliced ones so that you only need to defrost and serve as a whole once warmed up entirely while still frozen solid.
Can you freeze meatloaf if it has breadcrumbs or eggs?
One of the biggest concerns when freezing meat is whether or not moisture will remain in the food after the freezing process.
So, can you freeze meatloaf with breadcrumbs or eggs?
Well, this depends on how well you wrap your cooked meatloaf with plastic and aluminum foil.
To make sure that there is no moisture left behind in your frozen cooked meatloaf to make it go bad faster
Be sure to seal all edges as tightly as possible before putting them into a freezer bag or container.
Freezing dried leftover meatloaf helps prevent food poisoning best than any other way of preserving foods.
Once you freeze cooked meatloaf, it can last you for a longer period of time.
Cooked leftover meatloaves are an easy meal to make if you have leftover cooked meat and vegetables from previous meals.
So, don’t throw them away right away.
Instead, just wrap up the leftovers in freezer bags or containers and store them in your freezer.
Freezing is the best way to extend the shelf life of your food.
Be sure to share this tip on how to freeze cooked meatloaf with all family members especially those who love eating this dish a lot.
Is it better to freeze meatloaf before or after cooking?
If you want to extend the shelf life of your meatloaf, it is best to freeze it after cooking.
However, freezing before cooking works well too.
This is because freezing keeps harmful bacteria from growing and producing toxins in your food when you thaw and cook again.
How long does cooked meatloaf last in the fridge?
Cooked meatloaf can stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 5 days. You should always keep cooked leftovers refrigerated during this period so that they don’t go bad quickly.
Here are a few tips on how to prevent your cooked meatloaf from going bad fast:
- Eat cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days after cooking them.
- Don’t leave your leftover meatloaf out at room temperature for more than 2 hours and even less if the temperature is higher.
- Always reheat your frozen meatloaves thoroughly before eating them, especially when you are going to take them out of the freezer for a few months.
- Use heavy-duty freezer bags or containers to store leftovers in the freezer.
Those plastic bags or containers will keep oxygen from getting into your food container to prevent oxidization reactions that may decrease the shelf life of cooked meatloaf.
Can you freeze meatloaf in a metal pan?
No, I do not recommend freezing meatloaf in a metal pan.
Freezing meatloaf in a metal pan is dangerous because it increases the chances of rust.
When you put your cooked meatloaf in the freezer, any moisture left on your pan will cause rust that may contaminate your food.
So, even if you have two pans, use only one to cook and freeze your meatloaf at the same time so that there’s no water left behind.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if you have leftover cooked meatloaf, be sure to store them in the freezer.
Freezing cooked meatloaf and other leftovers can help extend its shelf life for a longer period of time before it gets spoiled.
It is also safe to freeze uncooked diced or whole raw meatloaf.
That way, you will never run out of homemade meals when needed most especially during times when there’s no grocery delivery service around your area.