Crockpot Meatloaf That Actually Stays Together (Easy Weeknight Dinner)
Crockpot meatloaf is one of those dinners that sounds too good to be true - set it in the morning, come home to a meal that's ready and waiting. The trick to making sure it actually stays together when you slice it is all in how you shape the loaf and line the slow cooker, and I'm going to show you exactly how I do it. This has become one of my family's most-requested weeknight dinners, and it takes just 10 minutes of prep.
This simple recipe is delicious when served with my mashed potatoes, oven baked mac and cheese, or this easy-to-make buttered cabbage. If none of these sound like what you're looking for, you can check out my other side dish recipes here.
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💌Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make the night before and then put in the slow cooker in the early afternoon.
- Ingredients readily found in your pantry.
- Great for leftovers.
- Has an easy and delicious 2-ingredient glaze!
🥘Ingredients
- lean ground beef
- whole or 2% milk
salt
- black pepper
- egg
- bread crumbs or oatmeal
- small onion
- ketchup
- brown sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
📋Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. The full recipe and instructions as well as nutritional information can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Line slow cooker with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients with the exception of the topping.
Shape mixture into a loaf and place in the center of your slow cooker.
Combine ketchup and brown sugar and spread over the top of the meatloaf.
Cover and cook on low setting 3 to 4 hours until a meat thermometer or probe registers 160°F.
Remove meatloaf from slow cooker and place on a platter. Allow to set for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve!
Hint: The foil lining does two things - it gives the meatloaf a slightly firmer outer texture and makes cleanup completely effortless. Just lift the whole loaf out by the foil edges and it comes right out in one piece. This is also what helps it hold together when slicing.
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🍴Substitutions
- Oatmeal - quick or old fashioned oatmeal, uncooked, can be used in place of the bread crumbs.
- Salsa - instead of the ketchup and brown sugar glaze.
📖 Variations
- Ground turkey - you can use all ground turkey or a mixture of ground turkey and ground beef but if using ground turkey, cook until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
🍽 Equipment
A basic slow cooker is the only equipment needed to make this recipe. I have this one and have used it for over a decade.
🍱Storage
Store fully cooked and cooled meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Why Crockpot Meatloaf Falls Apart (And How to Prevent It)
If you've had crockpot meatloaf turn into a crumbled mess before, you're not alone and it's usually one of these things:
Not enough binder. The egg and bread crumbs are what hold everything together. Don't skip either one, and make sure your egg is fully incorporated before shaping the loaf.
Too much liquid. Unlike oven meatloaf, the crockpot traps moisture. This recipe uses just enough milk to keep things juicy without making the loaf soggy and loose.
Opening the lid too often. Every time you lift the lid you release heat and moisture and extend the cook time. Set it and leave it alone until you're checking the temperature near the end.
Skipping the resting time. This is the one most people skip when they're hungry and in a hurry but letting the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes after
💭Top tip
Slow cookers vary. The first time you make this recipe make a note on the recipe card of how long it took for your meatloaf to reach the desired internal temperature. That way, in the future, you'll know exactly how long to cook it to perfection!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my crockpot meatloaf fall apart?
The most common causes are not enough binder (egg and bread crumbs), too much liquid, or skipping the resting time after cooking. Make sure to let the meatloaf rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing.
How long does crockpot meatloaf take to cook?
Cook on low for 3-4 hours until a meat thermometer registers 160°F internally. Slow cookers vary, so use a thermometer rather than relying on time alone.
Can I make crockpot meatloaf ahead of time?
Yes. Mix and shape the loaf the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning just place it in the lined slow cooker, add the glaze, and cook as directed.
Do you need to flip meatloaf in the crockpot?
No, leave it alone. Flipping risks breaking the loaf. The foil lining and low heat do all the work.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes, but cook to an internal temperature of 165°F instead of 160°F.
If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card below ⬇️ you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef lean
- 1 cup whole milk *can substitute 2% milk
- 1 egg
- ½ cup bread crumbs *can substitute oatmeal
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup onion chopped, approximately 1 small onion
Topping
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Line slow cooker with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients with the exception of the topping.1 ½ lbs ground beef, 1 cup whole milk, 1 egg, ½ cup bread crumbs, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ cup onion
- Shape mixture into a loaf and place in the center of your slow cooker.
- Combine ketchup and brown sugar and spread over the top of the meatloaf.½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Cover and cook on low setting 3 to 4 hours until a meat thermometer or probe registers 160°F.
- Remove meatloaf from slow cooker and place on a platter. Allow to set for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve!
As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.
Nutrition
Food safety
We sometimes take for a granted that we have years (or decades) of
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 160 °F.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
If I am using 6 lbs of hamburger how long should I cook it??
Hi Marie, I would cook it on the low setting for 6 hours until a meat thermometer or probe registers 160°F. You could probably start checking the internal temperature at the 5 hour mark but don't leave the lid off for too long.
Why the tin foil? Just curious.
I like to use it to give the outer portion of the meatloaf more of a crust-like texture but it's not necessary. 🙂