I’m going to show you how to make the most delicious, moist and flavorful Slow Cooker Meatloaf! It couldn’t be easier to make and it’s a guaranteed home run for dinner. Super tender without falling apart, topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze. Glazed meatloaf not your thing? You can use our Homemade Brown Gravy instead!
Why We Love This Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
I’ve got to say, I was hesitant at first. This slow cooker meatloaf has been on my list of recipes to make for quite a while now, and I’m so glad I finally tried it!
- Easy To Make: SO easy to make, just mix up the ingredients and place into a slow cooker. The glaze is just as easy, then you can sit back and relax until it’s done.
- Moist & Flavorful: Never worry about your meatloaf turning out dry or lacking in flavor again with this slow cooker recipe.
- Ready When You Are: You can cook this meatloaf on low or high, depending on your timing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
We’re using the base of our Classic Meatloaf recipe for this slow cooker version, with a few exceptions to make it even easer. For a full list of ingredients and amounts needed, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Meatloaf Mix: Meatloaf mix is a combination of ground beef, pork and veal and you can find it in the butcher department at most grocery stores. You can also use all ground beef instead.
- Yellow Onion: Sweet yellow onion, finely diced so that you don’t have to cook it beforehand.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a “meaty” flavor.
- Spicy Brown Mustard: For a bit of tang and flavor, can also use dijon mustard.
- Eggs: Beat them up in the bowl before mixing the meatloaf mixture with clean hands.
- Breadcrumbs: We use plain breadcrumbs but you can also use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Ketchup: Adds flavor and moisture.
- Salt & Pepper: To season the meat, kosher salt is preferred.
- Garlic Powder: For garlic flavor, we prefer garlic powder in this recipe over fresh garlic.
- Fresh Parsley: A pop of bright, fresh flavor.
For the Glaze: (Optional but recommended)
- Ketchup: The base of the glaze, a delicious, sweet tomato flavor.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: You can find this in the same aisle as the ketchup.
- Worcestershire Sauce: For a beefy flavor.
- Dry Mustard: Can also use whatever mustard you used for the meatloaf if you don’t have dry mustard.
- Brown Sugar: We like our glaze deliciously sweet!
- Instead of a ketchup glaze: Try our Brown Gravy recipe instead.
How To Make Slow Cooker Meatloaf
This recipe is so easy to make, but we have a couple photos here so that you can reference the size of the “loaf” shape to make. For complete instructions, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Make the meatloaf: Add all of the ingredients for the meatloaf into a large bowl and mix together with clean hands. Form into a loaf shape and place into a slow cooker that’s been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook & Glaze: Cook the meatloaf on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours. Make the glaze and then pour over the meatloaf. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook another 30 minutes. See alternative method in the recipe card.
For Best Results
Even though this slow cooker meatloaf is super easy to make, we have some tips to ensure the best results!
- The size of the loaf: Refer to the pictures for the right size of the loaf. You want the loaf to be uniform in height, not higher in the middle like a dome shape. This will ensure that the meatloaf cooks evenly and is done at the same time.
- Drain the grease: If you’re home while the meatloaf is cooking, you can use a turkey baster every couple of hours to remove some of the grease. This step isn’t required, you can drain the grease at the end before glazing, but do drain the grease before adding the glaze.
- Don’t overcook: If you’re using 2 pounds of meat and forming the loaf into the right shape, the cooking times here are really accurate. Don’t let the meatloaf overcook because it will fall apart and become mushy.
How To Remove The Meatloaf From The Slow Cooker
The easiest way to remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker without breaking it is to use two large spatulas on the short ends of the meatloaf and gently raise out onto a board. Some recipes will call for lining your slow cooker with aluminum foil (leaving extra out on the side) so that you can pull the meatloaf out.
I don’t prefer this method because of the issue with the grease. Making a meatloaf in a slow cooker is going to produce grease that needs to be drained, but I find the method we use is a much neater way to do it.
Sides To Serve With Meatloaf
We love classic side for meatloaf like mashed potatoes and green beans, but we have so many more ideas for you to check out!
More Meatloaf Recipes
- Brown Gravy Meatloaf
- Classic Meatloaf (the base of this recipe with some tweaks for the oven)
- Bacon Meatloaf
- Italian Meatloaf
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatloaf
- The BEST Turkey Meatloaf
Slow Cooker Meatloaf
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeThis Slow Cooker Meatloaf turns out so moist and flavorful! Such a time saver for busy nights and guaranteed to be a home run for dinner!
Ingredients
For The Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds meatloaf mix (can also use all ground beef)
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
For The Glaze:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients for the meatloaf into a large bowl and mix together well (clean hands are best!).
- Spray the inside of a 6-8 quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape (see post for reference) and place into the slow cooker.
- Set on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours until the meatloaf is cooked through with no pink remaining.
- Mix the ingredients for the glaze together in a bowl. We like to drain the grease from the slow cooker before adding the glaze, an easy way to do this is with a turkey baster. If you don’t have one, use two spatulas on either side of the meatloaf to gently lift the loaf onto a board. Pour the grease out from the and then return the meatloaf back to the slow cooker. Pour the glaze on top and set the slow cooker to high for 30 minutes. Alternately, you can place the meatloaf on a baking sheet lined with non-stick foil, then pour the glaze on top and place under the boiler for 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Store: Store leftover meatloaf in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat leftover meatloaf in the microwave or a low oven (about 350) until warmed through.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
