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.
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
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I thought it might be helpful to provide a list of kitchen tools used in preparation of this 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
Super Moist Meatloaf
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
- Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on middle position. Place large pan of water on lower rack underneath.
- 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.
- 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.)
- Whisk by hand to combine ingredients.
- Add ground chuck and stir with wooden spoon until fully combined.
- Form beef mixture into a loaf (roughly 2x5x8) in a larger baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine brown sugar, coarse mustard, and ketchup. Pour half of this sauce over the meatloaf.
- 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.
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.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 458Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 693mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 35g
Seriously. Follow this recipe and you will have Super Moist Meatloaf that your family will enjoy.
This Super Moist Meatloaf recipe really does render perfect 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:
Til next time…
Johanna
Monday 19th of December 2016
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
Monday 19th of December 2016
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.