A meatball dinner makes everyone’s night memorable. Be it a regular family dinner or a party dinner, meatball remains a top choice for many. I like cooking meatballs and spaghetti for my family and they just cannot get enough. But oftentimes, you will end up with more meatballs than you can eat at once.
Meatballs can be stored in a regular refrigerator for over a week and a month in the freezer. You can take them out of the freezer or the refrigerator and reheat them anytime you want. This is not only useful for days when you are not in the mood for cooking but it also saves a lot of time as well.
But you must be aware of some basic things like the temperature, heating time, etc. to make sure that your meatballs get reheated perfectly without losing their flavors. Here, I will discuss all the methods by which you can reheat your meatballs perfectly to ensure a nice dinner for yourself and your family.
Leftover turkey meatballs are a delicious and easy meal, but proper reheating is key to maintaining their texture and flavor. Whether you have leftover baked turkey meatballs or ones swimming in sauce, following the right reheating method will have them tasting fresh-made.
Here are the best ways to reheat turkey meatballs perfectly every time:
Reheating Turkey Meatballs in the Oven
The oven allows for gentle, even heating, making it ideal for reheating plain turkey meatballs without sauce or gravy.
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Preheat oven to 300°F.
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Place meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet or dish.
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Cover tightly with foil to prevent drying out.
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Heat for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
The foil tent traps in steam and keeps the meatballs moist. Bake just until heated through to avoid overcooking.
Reheating Turkey Meatballs on the Stovetop
For meatballs sauced in a tomato or gravy sauce, the stovetop allows you to simmer them together for added flavor.
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Place meatballs and sauce in a skillet on medium-low heat.
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Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
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Cook for 8-10 minutes until heated through.
The low heat prevents burning. Stir gently to coat meatballs in the sauce.
Reheating in the Microwave
The microwave provides the quickest reheating for small batches. Take care not to overcook.
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Place meatballs in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel.
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Microwave on 50% power in 1 minute intervals until hot, stirring between.
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Allow to rest 2 minutes before serving.
The paper towel provides a steam tent to prevent drying out. Use short cooking times to avoid toughness.
Tips for the Best Results
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For frozen meatballs, thaw completely before reheating.
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If reheating in sauce, thin with a splash of broth or water if needed.
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Brush pan or dish with oil when reheating plain meatballs to prevent sticking.
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Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F.
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Don’t crowd meatballs together or stack when reheating to allow even heating.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Meatballs
Proper storage keeps leftover turkey meatballs safe for later use.
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Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
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Freeze sauced meatballs for 2-3 months. Freeze plain meatballs for 4-6 months.
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Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating frozen meatballs.
With the right reheating method, you can enjoy leftover turkey meatballs that taste as delicious as the day they were made. Just be sure to store them properly in the meantime and reheat thoroughly until piping hot.
Frequency of Entities:
turkey meatballs: 17
meatballs: 16
sauce: 7
oven: 4
frozen: 3
foil: 3
reheating: 3
microwave: 2
gravy: 2
fresh-made: 1
texture: 1
flavor: 1
Heating on a Pan
You can reheat your meatballs using a saucepan. You can put your meatball directly in the saucepan and heat it if your meatball consists of sauce. Otherwise, you might need to put your meatballs in a broth or boiling water.
Defrost your meatballs first if you have stored them in the freezer. Otherwise, you can start reheating the meatballs. Put a saucepan on the stove and set the heat to medium. Add the meatballs with the sauce to the pan. Stir occasionally and let the meatballs get heated. Add two or three teaspoons of hot water to the meatballs if the sauce is getting too dry. It will take about 10-12 minutes for the meatballs to get reheated.
Get a pan and fill it up with water or broth. Put it on the stove and set the heat to high. Bring the water or the broth to a boil and lower the heat to low-medium.
Now add the meatballs to the broth and reheat them for 5-6 minutes or until their temperature reaches 165 F or 74 C. Bring out the meatballs and put them on paper towels.
How Long Does It Take to Reheat Meatballs?
How long it will take you to reheat your meatballs will depend on what method you are using. It will take about 15 minutes to reheat the meatballs in a saucepan on the stovetop, 6-8 minutes in the microwave oven, 20 minutes in a normal oven, and 2 hours in a crockpot.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
How to reheat meatballs without drying them out?
Is it safe to reheat meatballs in the microwave?
Can you reheat meatballs with sauce?
How do you reheat meatballs that will be hot held?