How do you know when meatloaf is done without a thermometer?

If the meatloaf has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit, then you'll know that it's done. If you don't have a thermometer, then you might wish to try using a metal fork. Meatloaf is usually done cooking if a metal fork can be poked into the center without much resistance.

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Meatloaf is a traditional dinner that many people think is great. You can always count on meatloaf to be an enjoyable meal that your family will dig, assuming that you aren’t a vegetarian or a vegan, of course.

If you recently started making meatloaf for dinner, then you might still be trying to perfect your technique. Have you had a bit of a difficult time figuring out whether the meatloaf is done?

This happens to a lot of people because it’s easy to overcook meatloaf. If you leave it in the oven a bit too long, then parts of the meatloaf will be burnt. You could also easily take the meatloaf out a bit too soon when you’re trying to avoid burning it. It won’t be good to eat meatloaf that hasn’t been cooked all the way through. One of the most reliable ways to determine if meatloaf is finished cooking or not is to use an instant-read thermometer. These are handy types of thermometers that allow you to tell if you’re done cooking things or not. Simply grab the thermometer and then place it in the middle of the meatloaf. There will be a portion of the thermometer that is designed to stick inside of food dishes to determine the temperature. 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 the meatloaf longer. Try cooking it for a little while longer and then use the instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature once more. If you want to be able to be absolutely certain that you’re doing things right, then buying a thermometer such as this is a great idea. Thankfully, they aren’t expensive at all, and this makes it easy enough to get one even if you’re on a budget.

Can You Tell If it’s Done Without a Thermometer?

What if you don’t have an instant-read thermometer right now? If you have a meatloaf in the oven right now, then you might need an option that doesn’t involve using a thermometer. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can do. Keep reading to learn how to get a better idea of when your meatloaf is finished cooking when you don’t have a thermometer.

Use a Fork to Check

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Using a fork to check whether the meatloaf is done is a very common method. You might have seen your mother or your grandmother doing this when you were younger. Get a metal fork out of the utensil drawer and poke it into the middle of the meatloaf. If you’re able to pierce the meatloaf very easily, then this shows that the meatloaf is cooked. When you have a bit of resistance to deal with, it’s a sign that your meatloaf has not yet been cooked all the way. You’re likely going to need to cook the meatloaf for a while longer if it was tough to poke your fork into it. This is a very simple strategy that anyone can use to check the status of a meatloaf. The only problem with this is that it isn’t as accurate as using an instant-read thermometer. Even so, it’s nice to know that you’ll be able to do this without having to go out to buy a thermometer. Everyone is likely to have a metal fork that they can use to get this done.

You Could Use Your Fingers

This next idea is not nearly as good as using a fork. Truthfully, you should just use a fork because it’s more sanitary and it just makes more sense. That being said, you could also try to test the temperature of the meatloaf using your fingers. The basic idea is that you’re going to poke your finger inside the meatloaf to see how hot it is and how it reacts. You do run the risk of burning yourself when doing something such as this. That’s why it’s generally not a recommended idea. Some people do this because it’s the way that their families have always done it. It’s not very sanitary to think of someone poking the meatloaf with a bare hand, though. At the very least, you should thoroughly wash your hands before attempting this. That way you’ll know that you didn’t contaminate the meatloaf too much. When you poke the meatloaf with your index finger, it should be easy to penetrate it. If it’s still quite firm, then that’s a sign that it needs to be cooked longer. The basic idea is the same as using a metal fork. If you have a metal fork, then just do that instead.

Just Follow a Recipe Closely

You might be able to make meatloaf without having to check to see if it’s done or not. If you simply follow a recipe closely, then it should be fairly easy to cook the meatloaf and finish things up. For instance, a meatloaf recipe might ask you to cook a meatloaf at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. If you prepared the meatloaf correctly using the proper ingredients, then things should turn out fine.

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You can simply take it out of the oven after an hour has passed. It should be fine to expect the meatloaf to be done after it has been cooked for an hour. Many people just do this and continue to make meatloaf the same way each time. If you just put the meatloaf in the oven and cook it using the proper temperature, then things should turn out the way that you expect them to. Granted, there can sometimes be unexpected problems. For example, your oven could have hot spots that will cause the meatloaf to cook unevenly. However, this is not a very likely scenario. If you know that your oven works as intended, then you should be able to follow a recipe and do what you’re supposed to.

Final Thoughts

Determining whether a meatloaf is done or not won’t be too hard overall. The most reliable way to get this done is to have an instant-read thermometer on hand. You can simply poke the thermometer into the meatloaf to test its internal temperature. If the meatloaf has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit, then you’ll know that it’s done. If you don’t have a thermometer, then you might wish to try using a metal fork. Meatloaf is usually done cooking if a metal fork can be poked into the center without much resistance. You could check the condition of the meatloaf using your fingers as well. Just be careful not to burn yourself. Finally, you can easily just try your best to follow the recipe that you’ve been given. If you prepare a meatloaf properly, then it should turn out fine when you cook it for the recommended amount of time. Do your best and you’ll surely be able to enjoy a delicious meatloaf. Buying an instant-read thermometer is a good idea, but you can get by even if you don’t have one. Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.

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bakingkneads.com - How to Check If Meatloaf Is Done (With or Without a Thermometer)

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