Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meatloaf

If you've never made meatloaf in the slow cooker, it's time to remedy that ASAP. This aptly named recipe — which cooks low and slow to tender, juicy perfection — actually does melt in your mouth.

Why Make Meatloaf In the Slow Cooker?

The Crock-Pot might not be the traditional way to cook meatloaf, but there are plenty of reasons to try the slow cooker method ASAP.

The Allrecipes community loves this meatloaf recipe for its ease: Just shape the meatloaf, toss it in the slow cooker, and add the glaze before serving. It's that simple! Plus, you can prepare this meal in the morning and save yourself from the after-work dinner struggle.

Of course, the slow cooker also ensures a perfectly tender and melt-in-your mouth texture that is much harder to achieve in the oven.

Slow Cooker Meatloaf Ingredients

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meatloaf

Here's what you'll need to make this top-rated slow cooker meatloaf:

Bread Crumbs
Use store-bought or .

Milk
Milk is absorbed into the bread crumbs, adding much-needed moisture.

Eggs
Two whole eggs help bind the meatloaf together. Plus, they lend richness and extra moisture.

Seasonings
This slow cooker meatloaf is seasoned with just dried minced onion, rubbed sage, and salt.

Beef
Traditional meatloaf is made with ground beef, which is what this recipe calls for. Some reviewers say they've gotten great results with ground turkey.

Mushrooms
Sliced mushrooms offer earthy flavor. If you're not a fan, you can leave them out.

What else will you need? A 4-ingredient glaze (made with just ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard) is the perfect finishing touch for this flavorful and juicy meatloaf.

How to Make Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Prepare the Meatloaf

Whisk together milk, bread crumbs, eggs, minced onion, salt, and sage. Stir in ground beef and mushrooms. Shape the mixture into a round loaf that will fit into your slow cooker.

Cover and Cook

Place the formed loaf into your slow cooker and cook on low for five to six hours.

Glaze the Meatloaf

Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Open the slow cooker and pour the glaze evenly over the loaf. Re-cover and continue to cook on low for about 15 more minutes.

Serve the Meatloaf

Remove the meatloaf and transfer to a serving plate. Cover with foil for about 10 minutes to trap in the juices, then slice and serve.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Meatloaf In a Slow Cooker?

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meatloaf
Shorecook

This slow cooker meatloaf recipe should be ready in five to six hours. When the meatloaf is done, an instant read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F.

How to Store Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Wrap the cooled meatloaf tightly in aluminum foil or place it in a shallow airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for three to four days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until the meatloaf is heated through.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Delicious," raves . "I diced the mushroom, added extra onion and garlic, no sage and a little spicy sausage. Threw some fingerling potatoes in for the last 2 hours — sooo delicious!"

"We had this tonight for dinner and it was fantastic," according to . "It was unbelievably moist and full of flavor. I used a fresh, small diced onion instead of the dried minced onion. I also added some minced garlic. This meatloaf does not disappoint, and we're looking forward to the leftovers."

"Very good meatloaf, I found it to be moist and held together very well," says . "I did omit the mushrooms, just didn't have any on hand. A good go-to recipe when you know you are going to have a busy day."

Editorial contributions by

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meatloaf

(998)
low angle looking into a plate of sliced meatloaf served with green beans and mashed potatoes
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
5 hrs 15 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
5 hrs 40 mins
Servings:
6

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

  • ¾ cup milk

  • cup seasoned bread crumbs

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons dried minced onion

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon rubbed sage

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef

  • ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms

Glaze:

  • ¼ cup ketchup

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard

  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

  1. Prepare meatloaf: Whisk together milk, bread crumbs, eggs, minced onion, salt, and sage in a large bowl.

    Overhead of pre-mixed meatloaf ingredients in a bowl with milk off to the side.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

    Overhead of of an egg, bread crumb, and mushroom mixture whisked together in a bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Stir in ground beef and mushrooms until well combined.

    Overhead of a meatloaf mixture in a bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Shape mixture into a round loaf. Place loaf into a 5-quart slow cooker.

    Overhead of meatloaf formed into a circle and placed in a slow cooker.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Cover and cook on Low until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 5 to 6 hours.

  5. Prepare glaze: Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.

    Overhead of a meatloaf glaze in a bowl with a whisk off to the side.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Open the slow cooker and spoon glaze over the meatloaf. Cover the cooker and continue to cook on Low until sauce is heated through, about 15 minutes.

    Overhead of a meatloaf in a slow cooker with glaze covering the top of it.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Carefully remove meatloaf with two spatulas to a serving plate. Cover with foil and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

    low angle looking into a plate of sliced meatloaf served with green beans and mashed potatoes

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Recipe Tip

A foil sling can make it easier to remove meatloaf from the cooker. Lay several long strips of heavy-duty aluminum foil in a criss-cross pattern in the bottom of your slow cooker. The strips should come up to the top of the cooker. Place meatloaf on top. When finished cooking, lift meatloaf carefully using the foil as handles, and transfer to a platter.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

328 Calories
17g Fat
18g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 328
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 7g 33%
Cholesterol 136mg 45%
Sodium 841mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 25g 49%
Vitamin C 2mg 3%
Calcium 87mg 7%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 402mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.


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