Print

Best Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

slow cooker meatloaf with brown sugar glaze - featured image
Print Recipe

This slow cooker meatloaf is incredibly tender and juicy, topped with a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze that caramelizes around the edges. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that delivers big comfort food flavor without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup plain or panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (for glaze)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Line your slow cooker with a foil sling: tear off two long sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 24 inches each) and lay them in a cross shape in the slow cooker. Press the foil against the sides, leaving enough overhang to grab later. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, 1/3 cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Transfer the mixture to the foil-lined slow cooker and shape it into a loaf about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, slightly domed on top. Leave about an inch of space between the meatloaf and the sides of the slow cooker.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup ketchup, packed brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder until smooth.
  5. Pour about half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and spread it evenly over the top and sides. Reserve the remaining glaze.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, carefully open the lid and brush the remaining glaze over the top.
  7. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature; it should read 160°F (71°C). If not, cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
  8. Turn off the slow cooker and let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes. Use the foil sling to lift the meatloaf out and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into 1-inch thick pieces and serve with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker.

Notes

Don’t skip the foil sling—it makes lifting the meatloaf out easy. Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to keep it moist. For a firmer crust, broil the meatloaf for 2-3 minutes after cooking. If using ground turkey, add 2 tablespoons olive oil or a grated zucchini (squeezed dry) to keep it moist.

Nutrition

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

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