Imagine coming home after a long day to the incredible, savory aroma of a classic, homemade meatloaf dinner, already perfectly cooked, unbelievably juicy, and waiting for you. This amazing, from-scratch Slow-Cooker Meatloaf recipe makes that delicious dream a reality. It’s the ultimate “set-it-and-forget-it” comfort food, with a tender, flavorful meatloaf and perfectly cooked potatoes and carrots all made together in one pot.
This isn’t just another meatloaf recipe; it’s a guide to the most foolproof and moist meatloaf you will ever make. We’ll show you why the gentle, moist heat of the slow cooker is the absolute secret to a juicy, tender result that is virtually impossible to dry out. Finished with a classic, sweet and tangy ketchup glaze, this is a nostalgic, family-favorite meal made even easier.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate “Set-It-and-Forget-It” Dinner
What makes this Slow-Cooker Meatloaf so spectacularly delicious is its incredible, hands-off cooking method that yields a perfectly moist and tender result every single time. The meatloaf itself is a classic, flavorful blend of beef, pork, and veal, held together with soft panko breadcrumbs. The best part is that the side dish of tender fingerling potatoes and carrots cooks right in the slow cooker alongside the meatloaf, absorbing all the delicious, savory juices as they simmer. It’s a complete, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing meal with minimal effort and easy cleanup.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 4-8 hours (depending on slow cooker setting) |
| Active Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4-6 |
The Essential Ingredients for the Juiciest Meatloaf
This recipe uses a handful of classic, high-impact ingredients to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Meatloaf:
- Meatloaf Mix: For the absolute best, most flavorful, and moistest meatloaf, it is highly recommended to use a “meatloaf mix,” which is a classic combination of ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal. The beef provides a rich, beefy flavor, the pork adds a wonderful tenderness and fat, and the veal creates a very fine, delicate texture.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Using light and airy panko breadcrumbs instead of regular, fine breadcrumbs is a great secret to a meatloaf with a lighter, more tender, and less dense texture.
- The Flavorings: A classic, savory blend of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, fresh scallions, parsley, and thyme gives the meatloaf a deep, traditional, and delicious flavor.
- The All-in-One Vegetables: Tender fingerling potatoes and sweet carrots are the perfect, classic side dishes that become incredibly flavorful as they cook in the savory juices at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- The Sweet and Tangy Glaze: A simple but essential finish made from ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. The brilliant trick in this recipe is to whisk in some of the savory cooking juices from the slow cooker, which infuses the glaze with an incredible, rich flavor.
Step-by-Step to the Best Slow-Cooker Meatloaf
This delicious, one-pot meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Prepare the Meatloaf and Vegetables
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the 2 1/4 pounds of meatloaf mix, the 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, the 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire sauce, the finely chopped scallions, the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, the 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and a few grinds of fresh black pepper.
Step 2: Use your clean hands to gently mix all the ingredients together until they are just combined.
Pro Tip: The number one secret to a tender, not tough, meatloaf is to not overmix the meat mixture. Mix only until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Form the mixture into a 5×9-inch loaf shape. Carefully transfer the meatloaf to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 4: Scatter the 12 ounces of halved fingerling potatoes and the 3 sliced carrots over and around the meatloaf in the slow cooker. Pour in the 1/4 cup of low-sodium chicken broth.
Step 2: The “Set-It-and-Forget-It” Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on the Low setting for 8 hours or on the High setting for 4 hours.
Step 3: Make the Glaze and Finish the Meatloaf
Step 1: When the meatloaf is done, carefully skim off any excess fat from the juices in the slow cooker.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of ketchup, the remaining 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and the 2 tablespoons of packed light brown sugar. Whisk in about 1/4 cup of the warm, savory cooking juices from the slow cooker.
Step 3: Use a pastry brush to brush the ketchup glaze mixture all over the top of the hot meatloaf.
Step 4: Cover the slow cooker again and let the meatloaf rest in the warm slow cooker for 10 more minutes. This allows the glaze to set and gives the meat crucial time to rest so the juices can redistribute.
To serve, carefully remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker and slice it. Serve the meatloaf with the tender vegetables from the slow cooker and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
The Best Juicy & Easy Slow-Cooker Meatloaf
A classic, comforting meatloaf made conveniently in a slow cooker, with the vegetables cooked right alongside it. The meatloaf is a traditional blend of beef, pork, and veal, mixed with panko breadcrumbs and seasonings. It is formed into a loaf and placed in the slow cooker with fingerling potatoes and carrots. After a long, slow cook, the meatloaf is brushed with a sweet and tangy glaze made from ketchup, brown sugar, and some of the cooking juices.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 pounds ground meatloaf mix (beef, pork, and veal)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 scallions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for topping
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 12 ounces small fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise
- 3 carrots, sliced 1 inch thick
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the meatloaf mix, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, 3/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire sauce, the scallions, parsley, thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined.
- Form the mixture into a 5-by-9-inch loaf.
- Transfer the meatloaf to a 6-quart slow cooker. Scatter the potatoes and carrots over and around the meatloaf. Pour in the chicken broth.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
- When the meatloaf is done, skim off any excess fat from the juices in the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and the brown sugar. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the cooking juices from the slow cooker to create the glaze.
- Brush the glaze over the top of the meatloaf. Cover the slow cooker and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker, slice, and serve with the cooked vegetables.
Notes
- This is a one-pot meal where the meatloaf and vegetables cook together in the slow cooker.
- Be careful not to overmix the meat mixture to ensure a tender meatloaf.
- The recipe is designed to create leftovers, with the suggestion to use the remaining half for ‘Meatloaf Quesadillas’.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Meatloaf is the ultimate make-ahead meal, and the leftovers are legendary!
- Make-Ahead: You can fully assemble the raw meatloaf and store it, well-wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to cook it.
- Storage: Store any leftover meatloaf and vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- The Best Leftovers!: Leftover meatloaf is famously delicious! Enjoy it cold the next day in a classic meatloaf sandwich, or gently reheat slices in a skillet or the microwave. The recipe also brilliantly suggests using the leftover meatloaf to make Meatloaf Quesadillas!
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Ground Meat: If you can’t find a meatloaf mix, you can use 2 1/4 pounds of all lean ground beef, or a combination of ground beef and ground pork. A lean ground turkey would also be a delicious and healthier option.
- Add a Different Glaze: If you’re not a fan of a classic ketchup glaze, you could substitute it with your favorite BBQ sauce, or a simple glaze made from brown sugar and Dijon mustard.
- Use Different Vegetables: This recipe is wonderfully versatile! You could swap the fingerling potatoes for an equal amount of cubed Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, or add other hearty root vegetables like parsnips to the slow cooker along with the carrots.
Enjoy The Ultimate Easy Comfort Food!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This Slow-Cooker Meatloaf is a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch meal to bring the whole family together. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute secret to a moist, not dry, meatloaf?
This recipe’s cooking method is the secret! The gentle, moist, and enclosed heat of the slow cooker is the absolute best environment for cooking a meatloaf. It steams as it bakes, making it virtually impossible for the meatloaf to dry out and guaranteeing an incredibly moist and tender result every single time.
Q2: What is a “meatloaf mix,” and can I use just ground beef instead?
A classic meatloaf mix is a combination of ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal. This trio is considered the gold standard for the best flavor and texture. However, if you can’t find it, you can absolutely use all ground beef. Just be sure to use a blend that is not extra-lean (like an 85/15), as you need some fat for a moist and flavorful result.
Q3: Do I need to use a liner in my slow cooker?
You don’t have to, but using a disposable slow cooker liner can make the cleanup for a dish like this even easier!
Q4: Can I make this meatloaf ahead of time?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal! The flavors will be even better on the second day. You can prepare and cook the entire dish, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Simply reheat individual slices in the microwave or a skillet.
Q5: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the panko breadcrumbs with your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko. Also, be sure to use a brand of Worcestershire sauce that is certified gluten-free.