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You are here: Home / Recipes / The Secret to Super Moist Meatloaf

December 4, 2020 by: Pamela Baker

The Secret to Super Moist Meatloaf

Learn the secret to super moist meatloaf with this Super Moist Meatloaf recipe – a family favorite that’s simple to make and delicious!

This recipe originally appeared on The Birch Cottage blog on September 30, 2015. It has been updated December 4, 2020 with current pictures and a new printable recipe card.

Meatloaf is one of those entrees I never order when we go out to eat. Meatloaf is also one of those dishes where every family seems to have their own version. I like meatloaf that is moist and flavorful. I actually discovered the secret to moist meatloaf quite a few years ago…

As a young wife, I was very inexperienced with cooking and I really struggled with consistently making good meatloaf. I fumbled around with many ingredients and many different recipes. Should I use crackers or bread crumbs or should I incorporate ground sausage? I mean, seriously, there are a gazillion possibilities.

This meatloaf is super moist, flavorful and has an almost decadent topping/sauce. The ingredients are simple and few, but the real secret to making this meatloaf so moist has absolutely nothing to do with what you put into it.

Learn the secret to moist meatloaf with this Super Moist Meatloaf recipe - a family favorite that's simple to make and delicious!

The secret to super moist meatloaf?

Did you catch the secret?

The real secret to making this meatloaf so moist has absolutely nothing to do with what you put into it. Simply place a large pan filled with water on the lower rack under the meatloaf in the oven. You will not believe how doing this one thing will make your meatloaf the moistest, most melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf you’ve ever tasted

Learn the secret to moist meatloaf with this Super Moist Meatloaf recipe - a family favorite that's simple to make and delicious!

Shop this Recipe

This post contains affiliate links to products I recommend for creating this recipe. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you! 

I thought it might be helpful to provide a list of kitchen tools used in preparation of this recipe.

Super Moist Meatloaf Recipe Photo Tutorial

Below is a step-by-step photo tutorial on how to make this super moist meatloaf. For the full printable version scroll down to the recipe card or click here.

Step One: Preheat oven

Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on middle position. Place large pan of water on lower rack underneath.

Step Two: Chop and Sauté Onions

I love using my mini food processor when I make meatloaf. It does a great job of finely chopping my onions and pulverizing bread crumbs.

Step Three: Add wet ingredients

For best results, combine your wet ingredients in a medium size bowl and combine with a whisk.

Step Four: Make Bread Crumbs

You can use store bough bread crumbs or follow one of these methods:

  • place bread in a toaster and then process in your food processor
  • place slices of bread on the rack in the oven and allow to dry for at least 24 hours

Step Five: Fold in the meat

Use a wooden spoon or your hands to gently combine the or fold the meat into the dry ingredients.

Add ketchup to the meatloaf. Mix to combine without overmixing.

Step Six: Form Meatloaf

You can bake your meatloaf in any size baking dish, loaf pan or even bundt pan.

Step Seven: Top with Sauce and Bake

Mix up the sauce and spread HALF over top of the meatloaf. Place in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes. Add remaining sauce and bake for 10 minutes more.

Let meatloaf sit at room temp about 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve, and drizzle with any leftover sauce.

Super Moist Meatloaf Recipe

Get this recipe for Super Moist Meatloaf that your family will love!

Super Moist Meatloaf

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Learn the secret to moist meatloaf with this Super Moist Meatloaf recipe - a family favorite that's simple to make and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 large cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tspn thyme
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp stone ground coarse mustard
  • ⅔ cup ketchup
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup dried bread crumbs
  • 2 lbs ground chuck

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on middle position. Place large pan of water on lower rack underneath.
  2. In a large heavy saucepan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add a pinch of kosher salt, pinch of pepper, and the thyme. Saute 30 seconds more, and transfer to large bowl.Super Moist Meatloaf by The Birch Cottage
  3. Add 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, beef broth, and bread crumbs. When I made this meatloaf for Lenny recently, I wanted to make sure there weren’t any large chucks of bread or onion so, I toasted about three slices of whole grain bread and then pulsed it to a nice crumb consistency in my food processor. I also processed the onion in the food processor. (By the way, this is a great trick for incorporating onions in dishes that all those picky eaters won’t even notice.)Super Moist Meatloaf by The Birch Cottage
  4. Whisk by hand to combine ingredients.
  5. Add ground chuck and stir with wooden spoon until fully combined.Super Moist Meatloaf by The Birch Cottage
  6. Form beef mixture into a loaf (roughly 2x5x8) in a larger baking dish.Super Moist Meatloaf by The Birch Cottage
  7. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, coarse mustard, and ketchup. Pour half of this sauce over the meatloaf.Super Moist Meatloaf by The Birch Cottage
  8. Bake about 50 minutes. Brush on more sauce, reserving a little for serving, if desired. Bake 10 more minutes or until meatloaf is cooked through.Super Moist Meatloaf Recipe

Notes

The real secret to making this meatloaf so moist has absolutely nothing to do with what you put into it. Simply place a large pan filled with water on the lower rack under the meatloaf in the oven. You will not believe how doing this one thing will make your meatloaf the moistest, most melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf you’ve ever tasted!

Let meatloaf sit at room temp about 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve, and drizzle with any leftover sauce.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Chef Knife - Professional 8 Inches
    Chef Knife - Professional 8 Inches
  • Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Food Bakeware and Storage Container
    Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Food Bakeware and Storage Container
  • BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
    BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 458Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 693mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 35g
© Pam Baker, The Birch Cottage

Seriously. Follow this recipe and you will have Super Moist Meatloaf that your family will enjoy.

This Super Moist Meatloaf recipe really does render perfectly moist meatloaf every time. If you make this recipe, you’ll have to be sure and let me know your family’s response. If they are anything like mine, they will love it! My boys love protein. And, this super moist meatloaf was just the ticket for when my Lenny was recovering from oral surgery.

More Recipe Ideas

If you are looking for recipes your family will love, like this super moist meatloaf, you might want to try some of my family’s favorite recipes:

  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Cheesecake
  • Egg Nog Muffins

Til next time…

Get this recipe for Super Moist Meatloaf that your family will love!
Easy DIY Pinecone Fire Starters
Microwave Baked Potato Bag Care and Use Tags

Comments

  1. Johanna says

    December 19, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Omg this meatloaf is AMAZING. It will be my go to recipe from today on. So DELICIOUS. My daughter who’s not crazy about beef actually ate a slice and said “this is really good.” What?? I couldn’t believe it (actually I could). Thank you Pam! For this awesome recipe.

    • Pamela Baker says

      December 19, 2016 at 9:36 pm

      Johanna, that is fantastic! Thanks for letting me know. This meatloaf isn’t your normal mystery meatloaf. I think it’s amazingly moist and full of flavor. The right flavor. :). I’m really glad your daughter liked it as well.

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Pam Baker The Birch Cottage
Hello and welcome to The Birch Cottage! I'm Pam, wife, mom, nana (mawmaw), dog mom and creative behind The Birch Cottage blog. Come explore The Birch Cottage where I hope you'll find inspiration to craft a handmade home. I love sharing my passion for family, cooking, sewing, crocheting, crafting and all things DIY. Thank you for visiting!
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