Do you have some leftover meatballs from that holiday party you had yesterday? Then get your apron and tools ready because I’m going to teach you how to reheat meatballs so these ultimate appetizers will taste amazing again!
You might be thinking that it’s impossible to make these finger foods just as marvelous as the first time you enjoyed them. Well, everything is possible with reheating.
Yes, of course! You can reheat your leftover or cooked meatballs. In my case, I usually make a big batch to enjoy for a week. I store some in the freezer and pop the rest in the fridge to reheat whenever I want.
Keep in mind, though, that there are few things to consider when it comes to warming meatballs up. If you happen to reheat them with sauce, I suggest heating the food on the stovetop.
For meatballs without sauce, the best reheating technique to use is the oven method. When you’re in a rush and want to get things done in a jiffy, then microwaving them should do the trick.
How to store meatballs
Before we get into the reheating methods, let’s unlock first the proper way to store your leftover or cooked meatballs in the fridge or freezer.
Cooked meatballs will last for up to four days in the refrigerator when properly stored. Also, you need to refrigerate them within two hours of cooking for safety and quality.
To do this, put them in a shallow airtight container or wrap them tightly with heavy-duty foil or plastic wrap. Then slide the meatballs into the fridge once done.
If you want to extend its shelf life further, you need to store them in the freezer. The process is quite easy. Simply put the meatballs in a covered airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags, or you can also wrap the food with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.
Then, put them into the freezer. When properly done, you’ll be able to enjoy the meatballs for up to four months.
Quick tip: Cooked meatballs should be discarded if left for more than two hours at room temperature as they aren’t safe to consume.
Can I freeze meatballs?
It depends. As long as your cooked meatballs aren’t left for more than two hours at room temperature, storing them is still safe.
To do this, cover the meatballs with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Or you can also use an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to store them properly so they’ll maintain the best quality for up to four months.
Can you leave cooked meatballs at room temperature?
No, leaving your cooked meatballs at room temperature isn’t safe. As a rule, cooked meatballs are considered unsafe to eat when left for more than two hours at room temperature.
Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F, so leaving the meatballs out for too long can cause the food to spoil. So better throw them away!
How to reheat meatballs with various methods
There are three ways in which you can warm up your cooked meatballs. You can either reheat them on the stovetop, in the oven, or microwave. Let’s discuss all of these methods in detail:
Reheating meatballs with sauce (stovetop method)
The best way to reheat meatballs that are swimming in a sauce is by warming them up on the stovetop. Here’s how to do it.
- Combine the meatballs and sauce in a pan.
- Cook them over low heat.
- Stir them until the meatballs are warmed through.
The cooking time depends on how many meatballs you’re heating. Typically, warming up a few of them should take about 10 minutes. Just extend the cooking time if you’re planning to reheat more meatballs.
Reheating meatballs without sauce (oven method)
This reheating technique works best for meatballs without a sauce. Just like the stovetop method, the cooking time depends on how many meatballs you’re reheating. If it’s just a few, it should take at least 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet, then cover them with foil. This process prevents the meatballs from drying.
- Heat them for about 15 minutes or until warmed through.
Reheating meatballs using a microwave
If you’re in a hurry and want to reheat your leftover or cooked meatballs right away, then the best option to use is the microwave method!
But be careful when reheating your meatballs using a microwave. Just use a medium heat setting to avoid overheating your food.
- Place the meatballs in a microwave-safe container.
- Cover the container with a moist cloth to prevent the loss of moisture.
- Adjust the microwave’s power setting and put it at medium heat.
- Heat the meatballs for one minute.
- Remove the meatballs from the microwave once done.
Can you reheat meatballs twice?
While other foods can be reheated numerous times, as a rule, it’s best not to reheat the same dish, including your cooked meatballs. However, if you store them properly, reheating the food for the second time is possible.
If you end up with leftover meatballs, it’s much safer to either freeze them or reheat them just once.
The bottom line
I hope that you learn some tips and tricks on how to reheat meatballs from this guide.
But remember, your safety should be your utmost priority here. So before you plan to reheat those meatballs, make sure that they’re safe!
How to reheat meatballs on the stovetop
This reheating technique works best for meatballs with sauce.
Ingredients
- Cooked meatballs
- Pan
- Stovetop
Instructions
- Combine the meatballs and sauce in a pan.
- Cook them over low heat.
- Stir them until the meatballs are warmed through.
- Serve and enjoy!