Description
This Crockpot Meatloaf recipe offers a comforting and flavorful twist on a classic dish, using a slow cooker to develop rich, tender flavors with minimal hands-on time. Perfectly moist and topped with a tangy, sweet ketchup glaze, it is a hassle-free meal that serves eight and is ideal for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, finely minced and divided
- 1 (6 ounce) box stuffing mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons ketchup glaze (from glaze ingredients below)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Ketchup Glaze
- 1½ cups ketchup
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons finely minced onion
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the glaze: In a small mixing bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons minced onion, apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir or whisk until thoroughly mixed and set aside.
- Prepare slow cooker: Tear off a large strip of heavy-duty aluminum foil and press it into the bottom and up two sides of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Lightly spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Mix meatloaf ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely minced yellow onion (reserve 2 tablespoons for glaze), stuffing mix, whole milk, eggs, 2 tablespoons of the prepared glaze, kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently by hand just until combined to avoid toughness.
- Shape and place in slow cooker: Form the mixture into an oval loaf shape and place it into the foil-lined crockpot. Spoon ½ cup of the glaze evenly over the top, then cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- Broil glaze finish: Once cooking is complete, carefully lift the meatloaf out of the crockpot using the foil overhang and place it on a baking sheet. Spread ⅔ cup of the glaze evenly over the top. Broil on high for a few minutes until the glaze becomes sticky and bubbly, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Slice the meatloaf and serve with the remaining glaze sauce on the side for extra drizzling. Enjoy your tender, flavorful crockpot meatloaf.
Notes
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil to easily lift the meatloaf out of the slow cooker without breaking.
- Do not overmix the meatloaf mixture to keep it tender and moist.
- If you don’t have whole milk, 2% milk works fine as a substitute.
- Broiling time may vary based on your oven, so watch carefully to avoid burning the glaze.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger families, but adjust slow cooker size and cooking times accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
