It can be hard to determine if your meatloaf has finished cooking when you take it out of the oven, especially when covered in sauce. Adding a sauce topping to your meatloaf provides a nice touch of moisture but often prevents you from getting a good look at its doneness by gauging how brown it is. Even when you can see it clearly, the outside color may not always indicate whether the meatloaf has finished cooking. The best thing to do is stick a meat thermometer into the center and take a meatloaf internal temp measurement.
The internal temperature of your meatloaf will depend on what kind of ground meat you use. Based on which meat you choose, the meatloaf internal temp should be:
For the best results, pull your meatloaf from the oven about 10°F lower than the target temperature and let it rest while loosely covered in foil for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Letting it rest allows the temperature to stabilize and the juices to redistribute evenly. While it does this, the temperature will usually rise about 10°F. Always check the meatloaf’s internal temperature after letting it rest to ensure it has increased to a safe temperature before you slice it and serve it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
As noted above, the most reliable way to tell when meatloaf is done is by checking the internal temperature of the meatloaf with an instant-read thermometer, inserting it into the center of the meatloaf. Meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
The internal temperature of your meatloaf will depend on what kind of ground meat you use. Based on which meat you choose, the meatloaf internal temp should be:
It can be hard to determine if your meatloaf has finished cooking when you take it out of the oven, especially when covered in sauce. Adding a sauce topping to your meatloaf provides a nice touch of moisture but often prevents you from getting a good look at its doneness by gauging how brown it is. Even when you can see it clearly, the outside color may not always indicate whether the meatloaf has finished cooking. The best thing to do is stick a meat thermometer into the center and take a meatloaf internal temp measurement.
For the best results, pull your meatloaf from the oven about 10°F lower than the target temperature and let it rest while loosely covered in foil for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Letting it rest allows the temperature to stabilize and the juices to redistribute evenly. While it does this, the temperature will usually rise about 10°F. Always check the meatloaf’s internal temperature after letting it rest to ensure it has increased to a safe temperature before you slice it and serve it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
To ensure that your meatloaf is fully cooked and safe to eat, you’ll want to use a meat thermometer to check its temperature. Considering everything from your oven model to the pan you use can affect a dish’s cook time, it’s best to first check the meatloaf’s temperature 10-15 minutes before the recipe you’re using says it will be done. You can always cook it longer if it hasn’t reached the meatloaf done temp yet, but you can’t rewind time to undo an overcooked meatloaf.
When using ground beef, the lowest a meatloaf internal temp should be before eating is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meatloaf is a delicious and relatively simple dish to make. A true classic that’s perfect for days when you need to whip up a family dinner on the fly. Unfortunately, since most meatloaf recipes call for it to be covered in a sauce or glaze while it’s cooking, it becomes nearly impossible to tell by eye or taste when meatloaf is done.
However, some choose to make their meatloaf out of ground turkey instead. If you decide to take this approach, the temperature at which the meatloaf is done is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, not 160.
How to Tell When Meatloaf is Done
FAQ
How do you know when meatloaf is done without a thermometer?
Is it OK for meatloaf to be a little pink?
How do you know when a 1 pound meatloaf is done?
How do I know if my meatloaf is cooked?
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the meat thermometer into the center of the meatloaf (or the thickest part) to ensure accuracy. When meatloaf’s internal temperature reaches 160ºF, it’ll be cooked safely and still juicy. Don’t overlook the importance of preheating your oven.
Can you put a thermometer in a meatloaf?
The meat loaf’s internal temperature should register 160°F when the thermometer is inserted into the center. Alternatively, use an oven-safe thermometer that can be placed in the meatloaf before it goes into the oven. Insert the stem of the thermometer into the thickest part of the meatloaf and make sure that the tip is not touching the pan.
What temperature should a meatloaf be cooked at?
Your meatloaf can be considered done cooking if it has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also okay for the temperature to be a little bit higher than 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but you don’t want to let it go too much higher. When the number is still too low, it simply means that you need to cook it longer.
How do you cook a meatloaf in the oven?
When the estimated cooking time is close to meatloaf being done, open the oven door slightly and carefully insert the meat thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meatloaf, making sure it doesn’t touch the pan or the thermometer’s base. Leave it in for a few seconds until the temperature reading stabilizes.