How to Reheat Meatballs? - The Best Way

The meatball is the type of food that can help define and complete a dish. At the same time, they can serve as a main dish. Needless to say, it’s a feat very few dishes can pull off. We’d be hard-pressed to name dishes that could do the same. They embody the definition of comfort food.

Of course, meatballs can be made with all kinds of ingredients. The choice is up to you if you want to make meatballs with classic options like beef and pork or if you want to go the non-traditional way with chicken, lamb or turkey. Whatever you choose, well-cooked meatballs can provide a highly satisfying dining experience.

That being said, it never hurts to always have meatballs on hand in your kitchen. Since you can never really know when you’ll need them, it’s always a good idea to make them in large batches. This way, you won’t have to make them from scratch each time, as you can reheat them whenever you need to.

How do you reheat meatballs?

The best way to reheat meatballs is to reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. It’s important to make sure the internal temperature of the meatball reaches 165 degrees F before serving.

Of course, it goes without saying that there are right and wrong ways to reheat meatballs. So read on as we show you everything you need to know about how to reheat meatballs correctly.

How to preserve cooked meatballs?

Of course, before we move on to the instructions for heating meatballs, we’ll need to look at the proper storage procedures to follow when it comes to meatballs.  After all, you want them to last long enough to reheat them.

With that being said, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about storing meatballs.

• Can you leave cooked meatballs at room temperature?  - As a general rule, you should get rid of cooked meatballs that have been sitting for more than 2 hours at room temperature. Remember that refrigeration and freezing prevent the growth of bacteria. These harmful microorganisms grow rapidly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. This means that leaving your meatballs out for too long can cause them to go bad.
• How to maximize the shelf life of dumplings?  - You can put the cooked meatballs in the fridge to prolong their useful life. For your safety and the quality of your meatballs, remember to put them in shallow, airtight containers. You can also use heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap to wrap the meatballs tightly before putting them in the fridge. Remember that well refrigerated meatballs can last up to 4 days.
• Can I freeze the meatballs?  - Yes, it is the most effective way to prolong its useful life. To do this, just put the meatballs in a freezer-safe food storage bag (these are our favorites), label it, and pop it in the freezer. If you don’t have these freezer-safe bags, you can follow the same instructions for the fridge method and use airtight containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil to wrap the meatballs. If you do it correctly, your meatballs will be safe to eat for the next 3-4 months.

The actual shelf life of your meatballs will vary mainly based on the storage method you used.

For example, although frozen meatballs are good for 3-4 months, once thawed and put in the fridge, they will last up to 4 days.

You’ll need to refrigerate freshly cooked meatballs within two hours of cooking, otherwise you risk spoiling.

Before you get into the reheating process, you should always freshness test your meatballs. Check if they smell or look strange. A foul, slimy texture, coupled with a sour smell, indicates that your meatballs should be thrown away immediately.

reheat the meatballs

Now we have come to the heart of the matter. When reheating meatballs, remember that you have to strike a balance. Both overheating and underheating can cause their own problems and will inevitably have a detrimental effect on your plate.

To be more specific, overheated meatballs will turn dry and rubbery. In the meantime, you’ll notice that meatballs that haven’t gotten hot enough will have cold or frozen centers.

Remember that you can only use specific heating methods in specific situations. 

It is important to consider whether you heat the meatballs with or without sauce. After all, the heating process will always have an effect on the texture and flavor of your dish, so always use the appropriate one.

Method 1: Oven Method

This is the method to use if you are working with meatballs without sauce. Remember that the oven method consists of heating the meatballs from the outside in.

The last thing you want is to overcook the outside, as you’ll end up with a burnt ball of meat with a sad, frozen center.

With that being said, it is a fairly easy and quick method to follow. You just have to follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to a temperature of 350°F
2. Grab a baking sheet or deep ovenproof dish and place your meatballs.
3. Put the meatballs in the oven.

Reheating your meatballs will take between 12 and 18 minutes. Of course, keep an eye on their internal temperature and make sure they have warmed up completely.

When the center is well heated to an internal temperature of 165°F, remove and serve.

Method 2: Stovetop Method

If your meatballs are swimming in a sauce, we recommend trying this method. It goes without saying that slowly heating the dish on the stove is the best way to go.

After all, letting the meatballs and their sauce simmer is the most efficient way to reheat them without fear of drying them out. 

You just have to follow these steps:

1. Take a pot and put it on the stove. Be sure to work on low heat.
2. Carefully transfer everything, including the meatball sauce, to the pot, then cover.
3. Be careful with the sauce and stir constantly. The meatballs and sauce should be heated through in 20 to 30 minutes. Be careful not to let the sauce come to a boil.
4. It serves.

It should also be noted here that you can directly reheat frozen meatballs using this method.

However, due to thawing, you may have to deal with excess water as the ice melts. If this thins out the sauce during the reheating process, be prepared to adjust the seasoning as needed.

Method 3: Microwave Method

This is another effective method of reheating meatballs. As you might expect, the microwave method is very useful if you’re in a hurry and want to get things done as quickly as possible.

You will have to take more precautions, as the microwave method is much easier to mess up compared to the other two.

As you know, microwaves are incredibly powerful devices. Therefore, be careful when using them to reheat your meatballs.

As a general rule, you should use a lower heat setting for your microwave. We recommend that you set your power levels to 70 percent so that you can avoid overheating. Otherwise, you’ll end up with dry, chewy meatballs.

With that being said, be sure to follow these steps to avoid any issues:

1. Prepare a microwave-safe container, line the bottom with kitchen paper to prevent excess liquid from affecting the texture of the meatballs. Carefully place the meatballs on the lining.
2. Cover the container with a damp cloth to prevent moisture loss.
3. Adjust the microwave power and set it to medium or 70% power.
4. Heat the meatballs for 1 minute, then check the internal temperature. If it reaches 165°F, then they are done. If not, reheat them for another 15 seconds.
5. Take out the meatballs when they are done and serve them immediately.

Related questions

This guide has explained everything you need to know to properly reheat this wonderful dish.

So whether you want to try the oven, stovetop, or microwave method, always remember to follow the steps we’ve laid out here.

Next, we wanted to answer a couple of related questions so that you leave here with all your doubts resolved.

Can meatballs be reheated twice?

In general, food should not be reheated twice. However, if you have stored and reheated the meatballs well, you can reheat them a second time.

If you want to read a detailed guide on how to reheat meat twice, we suggest this article .

What do you accompany the meatballs with?

As a dish, meatballs are undeniably versatile. Remember that they work quite well on their own. However, you can also choose to pair them perfectly with a wide range of foods.

Listed below are some of the good recipes that turn out great when paired with this impressive dish:

• Mashed potatoes with meatballs
• Spaghetti with meatballs
• meatball soup
• rice with meatballs
• Egg noodles and dumplings
• meatball sub
• Meatballs with roasted red potatoes
• ratatouille

The above list is by no means exhaustive. After all, you can add meatballs to just about any dish you can think of and make it significantly better. In addition to being incredibly sumptuous, the meatballs are also incredibly easy to make.

Making them ahead of time and reheating them afterwards just makes sense. 

Meatballs can be used in a wide variety of recipes and dishes.  That’s why it never hurts to always have them on hand.