Meatloaf needs to be cooked to a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) when made with ground beef, pork, or veal, and 165°F (74°C) if it contains ground turkey or chicken.

Quick Scoop

  • For beef/pork/veal meatloaf: aim for 160°F (71°C) in the very center.
  • For turkey or chicken meatloaf: aim for 165°F (74°C).
  • Always check with a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf, not touching the pan.
  • Typical oven temp is around 350°F (175°C) so the loaf cooks through without drying out.

Simple example

If you bake a classic 2 lb beef meatloaf at 350°F, you’d cook it until the thermometer in the center reads 160°F, then let it rest a few minutes before slicing so it stays juicy and safe to eat.

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