How Long Does Meatloaf Last In The Fridge?

Cooked meatloaf lasts for 3 to 4 days in the fridge when stored properly in an airtight container. Refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking and keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below.

Meatloaf happens to be one of my specialties! My mom made the most delicious homemade meatloaf when I was growing up, and after preparing her recipe for countless weeknight dinners and family gatherings, it has become one of those meals I know inside and out.

And because a good-sized meatloaf almost always leaves us with an extra slice or two, I’ve also learned the best ways to keep those leftovers fresh. Below, I’ll show you how to store cooked meatloaf, how to tell when it has gone bad and when to refrigerate, freeze or throw it away.

How Long Is Meatloaf Good in the Fridge?

Cooked meatloaf is good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.

If the meatloaf has been sitting at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, it should be discarded rather than refrigerated. That window drops to 1 hour when the surrounding temperature is above 90 degrees F.

Uncooked meatloaf made with raw ground beef, pork or turkey can be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days before baking. Keep it covered and stored at 40 degrees F or below.

Type of meatloaf	Refrigerator storage time
Cooked meatloaf	3 to 4 days
Uncooked meatloaf	1 to 2 days
Cooked meatloaf thawed in the fridge	3 to 4 days after thawing

How To Store Leftover Meatloaf

Allow the meatloaf to cool slightly, then cut or divide a large loaf into smaller portions so it cools more quickly. Refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking. You do not need to wait for it to reach room temperature first.

For the best results:

• Transfer the meatloaf to a shallow airtight container so it cools quickly and evenly.
• Keep the loaf whole or cut it into individual slices for easy lunches and dinners.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil before placing them in the container to prevent them from drying out.
• Label the container with the date so you know when the 3-to-4-day storage window ends.
• Keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below.

If I know we won’t finish the leftover meatloaf within four days, it goes into the freezer instead. I almost always freeze it in individual slices so I can pull out exactly what we need for a quick lunch or dinner.

How To Tell if Meatloaf Is Bad

Discard leftover meatloaf if it has developed any of these signs of spoilage:

• A sour, rancid or otherwise unpleasant odor
• A slimy or unusually sticky texture
• Visible mold
• A noticeable change in appearance that is accompanied by another sign of spoilage

However, meatloaf can contain harmful bacteria without looking or smelling spoiled. Do not taste meatloaf to determine whether it is still safe to eat. If it has been refrigerated for more than four days, left at room temperature for more than two hours or stored under uncertain conditions, the safest choice is to throw it away.

Can You Freeze Cooked Meatloaf?

You can freeze a whole meatloaf, but I prefer freezing individual slices. They thaw more quickly and make it easy to reheat exactly the amount we need.

To freeze leftover meatloaf:

1. Let the meatloaf cool, making sure it is refrigerated or frozen within 2 hours of cooking.
2. Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
3. Place the wrapped meatloaf in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag.
4. Remove as much air as possible, then label it with the date.
5. Freeze at 0 degrees F or below.

Meatloaf that remains continuously frozen can stay safe longer, but its quality will gradually decline. Using it within a few months helps prevent freezer burn, dryness and loss of flavor.

Can You Freeze Uncooked Meatloaf?

Yes. Assemble the meatloaf, wrap it tightly and freeze it before baking. Thaw it in the refrigerator before cooking, then bake it until the center reaches a safe internal temperature.

If the raw meat used to prepare the loaf was previously frozen and thawed in the refrigerator, the assembled meatloaf can be refrozen safely, although you may notice some loss of moisture or quality.

How To Thaw Frozen Meatloaf

The safest way to thaw frozen meatloaf is overnight in the refrigerator. Individual slices may thaw within several hours, while a whole loaf will take longer.

Do not leave frozen meatloaf on the counter to reach room temperature. The outside can enter the temperature danger zone while the center is still frozen.

Cooked meatloaf can also be reheated directly from frozen, but it will require additional cooking time.

Best Way To Reheat Meatloaf

The best way to reheat meatloaf without drying it out is in a covered baking dish in the oven.

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Place the meatloaf or individual slices in a shallow baking dish.
3. Add a splash of beef broth, water or extra meatloaf sauce to help retain moisture.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
5. Heat until the center reaches 165 degrees F.

Individual slices will reheat more quickly than an entire loaf, so use a meat thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time.

For a faster option, place one or two slices in a microwave-safe dish. Add a small amount of broth, water or sauce, cover loosely and microwave in short intervals until the center reaches 165 degrees F. Let the meatloaf rest briefly before eating so the heat can distribute evenly.

What Internal Temperature Should Meatloaf Reach?

A meatloaf made with ground beef, pork, veal or lamb should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Meatloaf made with ground chicken or turkey should reach 165 degrees F.

Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the loaf to check the temperature. When reheating previously cooked meatloaf, heat it to 165 degrees F regardless of the type of meat used.

What To Do With Leftover Meatloaf

Leftover meatloaf makes an easy second meal as long as it is used within the safe storage window. Try one of these ideas:

• Make a hot or cold leftover meatloaf sandwich.
• Crumble it into chili or spaghetti sauce.
• Use it as a filling for tacos or quesadillas.
• Break it into pieces and add it to nachos.
• Substitute slices or chunks of meatloaf for the meatballs in a meatball sub.
• Chop it and add it to a breakfast hash with potatoes and eggs.

More Meatloaf Recipes and Helpful Resources

• Mom’s Homemade Meatloaf
• Instant Pot Meatloaf
• Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich
• Meatloaf Red Sauce
• Substitutes for Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf
• What To Serve With Meatloaf