• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Slow Cooker Meals
  • Home
  • Slow Cooker
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Slow Cooker
  • Recipes
×

Home » Dinner

The Best Crock Pot Meatloaf

June 20, 2022 by Ryan Allen 12 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Enjoy this classic recipe for meatloaf made right in your slow cooker! This Crock Pot Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze cooks low and slow for tender and flavorful meatloaf with a hint of sweetness that can be paired with your favorite side dishes!

Pin This Recipe For Later!

Image of homemade crock pot meatloaf on a white plate with a glaze.

Meatloaf is a dish made from ground meat that is shaped into a loaf and then baked or smoked. It is typically made with beef, pork, lamb, or a combination of meats. Meatloaf can be flavored with various herbs and spices and often contains other ingredients such as bread crumbs or chopped vegetables.

This dish originated in Germany, was brought to the United States by German immigrants, and is now enjoyed worldwide!

While meatloaf is traditionally baked in the oven, this recipe uses your slow cooker to cook the meat slowly, producing lots of flavors and soft and tender meat.

The best crock pot meatloaf is made with a brown sugar glaze, a delicious twist on the classic dish. The brown sugar glaze adds a hint of sweetness to the savory meatloaf. Serve with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal!

Equipment Needed

  • 6-Quart Slow Cooker I like this one because it has a rectangle pot.
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Mixing Bowl These are great because they come with lids for easy storage.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ground Beef - This makes up the meatloaf's main portion, adds a beefy flavor and texture, and holds all ingredients together.
  • Ritz Crackers - These get crushed up and added to the meatloaf to add a binder, giving it a classic comfort flavor.
  • Eggs - Helps bind all ingredients together and helps set the meatloaf properly while slow cooking.
  • Ketchup & Mustard - Adds a tangy acidic flavor to the meatloaf that also tenderizes the meat.
  • Milk - Helps tenderize the meat and soak up the crackers to soften the meatloaf.
  • Worchestershire Sauce - Gives this dish a salty, bold umami flavor that pairs well with beef.
  • Minced Garlic - Adds a bold garlic flavor throughout.
  • Salt & Pepper - Balances and enhances the flavor of the meatloaf.
  • Lipton Onion Soup Packet - This can be found in any grocery store and enhances the flavor of the beef by adding a salty onion and beef flavor.

The Glaze

  • Ketchup - Gives the top its classic red color, tomato flavor, and sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar - Enhances the sweetness in the glaze while making the glaze sticky.
  • Yellow Mustard - Adds a tangy flavor to the glaze that complements the meat in the dish.

How To Make Meatloaf In The Crock Pot

Form the meatloaf: Add ground beef, Ritz crackers, eggs, ketchup, mustard, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, black pepper, and onion soup in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix until just combined.

Make a foil cooking dish: Line the slow cooker with aluminum foil across the bottom and up the two sides. Shape the meat mixture into an oval shape and place it into the slow cooker.

Slow cook the meatloaf: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours.

Add the glaze: Thirty minutes before the final cooking time is done. Add ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl. Then top the meatloaf with the glaze, cover, and cook remaining 30 minutes.

Serve and enjoy: Slice and serve while hot with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!

Overhead look at crock pot meatloaf with a brown sugar glaze in a slow cooker lined with aluminum foil.

What To Serve With Homemade Meatloaf

This classic comfort food goes so well with so many things. But my favorite is Homemade Mac & Cheese or a big plate of Mashed Potatoes. Then round it off with some Green Beans with Bacon.

To finish this tasty meal off I like to serve some Peach Cobbler and wash it down with some homemade root beer.

Recipe Tips

  • When forming the meatloaf, it's important to ensure you don't overwork the mixture. This will make the meatloaf tough.
  • As the meatloaf cooks, it will render off the fat in the mixture. You can spoon this out or carefully remove the meatloaf from the grease while it is hot before slicing and serving.
  • For a thicker glaze, remove the meatloaf from the crock pot 30 minutes before it is done. Top with glaze and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the glaze is sticky and thick.
  • If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, mix all ingredients and store them in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Cooled leftover meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Freezing: Cook meatloaf as directed and cool completely before slicing into individual servings. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and place in the freezer for one hour or until frozen solid. Wrap each serving tightly in plastic wrap, then place all servings in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating: Place meatloaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees F until heated through about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, heat individual servings in the microwave for one minute or until heated.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I have to use Ritz Crackers?

No, you can use panko or regular bread crumbs. I like to use the Italian style to add a little more flavor. You can also use regular bread torn into small pieces.

Can I use ground turkey?

Ground turkey and ground chicken are great options if you are looking for a healthier version of meatloaf. When using either of these options, I will up the milk to 1 cup.

Can I make this meatloaf in the oven?

It sure can! Make everything as normal and pop it onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Cook at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Then, add the glaze and broil for 3-5 minutes until it bubbles.

Can I make this meatloaf gluten free?

Yes, you can use gluten free crackers or bread crumbs instead of the Ritz crackers. Make sure your other ingredients do not contain hidden wheat or gluten.

Crock-Pot Meatloaf with a glaze on top of mashed potatoes and a side of green beans.

Some More Comfort Food Recipes.

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole (With Ritz Crackers)
  • Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
  • Original Mississippi Chuck Roast (Slow Cooker Recipe!)
  • Crock Pot Lazy Lasagna with Ravioli
  • Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts with Artichoke Hearts
Close up of homemade Crock-pot meatloaf on a white plate with a glaze.

Crock Pot Meatloaf

Enjoy this classic recipe for meatloaf made right in your slow cooker! This Crock Pot Meatloaf cooks low and slow for tender and flavorful meatloaf with a hint of sweetness that can be paired with your favorite side dishes! I guarantee this is the best meat loaf you will ever eat.
4.43 from 45 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 3 hrs
Total Time 3 hrs 10 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 582 kcal

Equipment

  • My Favorite Slow Cooker
  • Slow Cooker Liners

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1¼ cup Ritz Crackers (crushed)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 packet Lipton onion soup

The Glaze

  • ⅔ cup Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard

Instructions
 

  • Add ground beef, Ritz crackers, eggs, ketchup, mustard, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, black pepper, and onion soup in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix until just combined.
  • Line the slow cooker with aluminum foil across the bottom and up the two sides. Shape the meat mixture into an oval shape and place it into the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
  • Thirty minutes before the final cooking time is done. Add ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl. Then top the meatloaf with the glaze, cover, and cook remaining 30 minutes.
  • Slice and serve while hot.

Notes

Tips

  • When forming the meatloaf, it's important to ensure you don't overwork the mixture. This will make the meatloaf tough.
  • As the meatloaf cooks, it will render off the fat in the mixture. You can spoon this out or carefully remove the meatloaf from the grease while it is hot before slicing and serving.
  • For a thicker glaze, remove the meatloaf from the crock pot 30 minutes before it is done. Top with glaze and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the glaze is sticky and thick.
  • If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, mix all ingredients and store them in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking.

Variations

  • Ground turkey and ground chicken are great options if you are looking for a healthier version of meatloaf. When using either of these options, I will up the milk to 1 cup.
  • You can use panko or regular bread crumbs in place of Ritz crackers. I like to use the Italian style to add a little more flavor. You can also use regular bread torn into small pieces.
  • If you don't have a slow cooker you can make this in the oven. Make everything as normal and pop it onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Cook at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Then, add the glaze and broil for 3-5 minutes until it bubbles.
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based ingredients, brands and changing cooking methods listed in recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Nutrition

Calories: 582kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 30gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 1576mgPotassium: 744mgFiber: 3gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 338IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 143mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Crock-Pot Meatloaf, Meatloaf, Slow Cooker Meatloaf, The Best Crock Pot Meatloaf
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Dinner

  • Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans
  • Crock Pot French Dip Recipe
  • Crock Pot Chili Mac
  • Crock Pot Chicken Lasagna

Subscribe

for your weekly recipe fix.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelli

    July 03, 2022 at 10:37 am

    Saw this delicious meatloaf recipe & would like to receive more yummy recipes.

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      July 03, 2022 at 11:14 am

      You can sign up for my news letter and have them delivered right to your email.

      Reply
  2. Marcia Hoth

    July 16, 2022 at 9:48 am

    Can you line the crockpot with a crockpot liner or does it need to be foil

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      July 17, 2022 at 11:29 am

      I recommend foil so you can transfer it to a baking sheet and broil it for 3-5 minutes. Using liners makes it hard to transfer them to a baking sheet. Also, liners tend not to be broiler friendly.

      Reply
  3. Shadi

    October 10, 2022 at 7:42 am

    5 stars
    Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      October 10, 2022 at 8:43 am

      I hope they love it.

      Reply
  4. Katherine

    October 10, 2022 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    Such a great way to cook meatloaf! This is my new go-to.

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      October 10, 2022 at 8:43 am

      Thanks! It is a great way to cook for busy family's.

      Reply
  5. Tayler

    October 10, 2022 at 8:33 am

    5 stars
    I've made this meatloaf several times and it always turns out perfectly. The flavor is amazing and my whole family loves it!

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      October 10, 2022 at 8:42 am

      I am so glad your family loves it. It is always a hit my family too!

      Reply
  6. Jess

    October 10, 2022 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    Meatloaf in the crockpot?! Life-changing!

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      October 10, 2022 at 9:20 am

      I sure is. I am so glad you liked it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Ryan. Welcome to Slow Cooker Meals. I have created tasty Crock-Pot meals that your family will love. New recipes are posted weekly to help you get out of that dinner rut.

Popular Recipes Right Now!

Slow cooker shredded beef tacos in flour tortillas and garnished with onions and cilantro.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos

Overhead look at three slow cooker copycat PF Changs Chicken Lettuce Wraps on a plate.

Slow Cooker Copycat PF Changs Lettuce Wraps

Hands holding a plate with Crock Pot Mississippi chicken on mashed potatoes.

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Overhead look at Crock Pot garlic mashed potatoes with chives and butter on top.

Crock Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Overhead look at Crock Pot ranch potatoes in a bowl with a spoon in it.

Crock Pot Ranch Potatoes

Close up of Crock-Pot sweet and sour meatballs over rice in a white bowl and garnished with sesame seeds.

Crock Pot Sweet And Sour Meatballs

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Slow Cooker Meals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright © 2021 Slow Cooker Meals