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Easy Crockpot Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

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This Easy Crockpot Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze is a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that delivers incredibly tender, moist meatloaf with a sticky-sweet glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple pantry ingredients and requires just 15 minutes of hands-on work.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Prep the slow cooker: Lightly spray the inside of your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
  2. Sauté the onion (optional): If you want a milder onion flavor, sauté the diced onion in a small pan with a teaspoon of oil until soft and translucent. If short on time, use raw.
  3. Mix the meatloaf ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Shape the loaf: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, placing it in the center of the slow cooker without touching the sides too much.
  5. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup ketchup, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder.
  6. Apply the glaze: Pour about half the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and spread evenly. Reserve the rest.
  7. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2.5-3 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  8. Apply remaining glaze: About 15 minutes before serving, brush or spoon the remaining glaze over the top. Cook uncovered for the last 10-15 minutes to let the glaze thicken.
  9. Rest: Lift the meatloaf out using the parchment paper slings and let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing.
  10. Slice and serve: Slice into 1-inch thick pieces and spoon extra glaze from the crockpot over the top.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid dense meatloaf. Use 80/20 ground beef for moisture. Line the crockpot with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Cook on low for best tenderness. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep it from falling apart. If the glaze starts to burn, add a couple tablespoons of water to the bottom of the crockpot.

Nutrition

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

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