The Temperature at Which Meatloaf is Done
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.
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.
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.
