Print

Best Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze (Easy Recipe)

slow cooker meatloaf - featured image
Print Recipe

This slow cooker meatloaf is incredibly moist, tender, and topped with a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze. It’s a hands-off, crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
  • ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Make the glaze first. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Whisk and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sugar dissolves and glaze thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Prepare the slow cooker liner. Tear off two long sheets of aluminum foil and lay them in a cross shape inside your slow cooker. Press them down to line the bottom and come up the sides to create handles. Optionally, lay a sheet of parchment paper over the foil.
  3. Soak the breadcrumbs. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs with ½ cup milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until breadcrumbs absorb the milk and form a paste.
  4. Mix the meatloaf. In a large mixing bowl, add 2 pounds ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, 2 beaten eggs, finely diced onion, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined.
  5. Add half the glaze to the meat mixture. Pour about half of the prepared glaze (roughly ½ cup) into the meat mixture and mix gently until evenly distributed.
  6. Shape the meatloaf. Transfer the mixture to the foil-lined slow cooker. Shape into a loaf about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, slightly domed on top. Leave at least an inch of space between the meatloaf and the sides of the slow cooker.
  7. Apply the remaining glaze. Spoon the rest of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and spread evenly.
  8. Cook on low. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F in the center.
  9. Rest before slicing. Turn off the slow cooker and let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes with the lid slightly ajar. Lift out using the foil handles, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into 1-inch thick pieces. Serve with extra glaze spooned over the top.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef. Line the slow cooker with foil for easy removal. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to keep it from falling apart. Double the glaze if you like extra. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds. For dairy-free, use unsweetened almond or oat milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, easy meatloaf, moist meatloaf, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/best-slow-cooker-meatloaf-with-brown-sugar-glaze-easy-recipe/