Meatloaf Without Eggs • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

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Meatloaf without eggs is quick and easy to make. This meatloaf recipe has only four ingredients (no eggs, of course) and will be ready to bake in minutes.

This post has been sponsored by American Greetings. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Meatloaf Without Eggs

I’ve always thought that times of great change are also the times where we turn to the things that bring us comfort. In America, we have an entire genre of food just for this purpose. We call it “comfort food.”

I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t have a preference on comfort food. We all gravitate to specific recipes when we’re in need of soothing.

One of the biggest life changes which you can experience is the birth of a child. I clearly remember the days, weeks, and months after our first daughter was born.

She was the most beautiful baby that had ever yet existed (of course), but she was curiously resistant to sleep. And not just in the usual way of babies not sleeping.

The first months with little pumpkin were like a top-secret military exercise in sleep deprivation.

Meatloaf Without Eggs • Recipe for Perfection (2)

My husband and I eventually took shifts, which set our circadian rhythms completely awry. In this foggy state, a good meal was worth its weight in gold.

Both sides of the family brought food over from time to time, which he and I would fall upon like a pair of sleepy wolves.

It’s these memories that inspired me to share this recipe for meatloaf made without eggs. If you know someone who is going through a big change, like becoming a new parent, home cooked food is the perfect gift. You can pick up a keepsake greeting card from Target to go with it.

Meatloaf Without Eggs • Recipe for Perfection (3)

I was browsing in Target the other day with this topic on my mind. After I spent a little time in the baby section, wistfully admiring the tiny onesies our girls have long outgrown, I wandered over to the greeting card section.

I found a new baby card that was so perfect I had to bring it home, saved for the occasion when I’ll make this meatloaf without eggs and bring it to someone I love. It made me smile to imagine the joy that the card and the meal would bring.

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It also made me laugh a little when I realized I’ve become someone who collects greeting cards for all occasions, even when those occasions aren’t here yet.

Enjoy this recipe for meatloaf without eggs, then share it without someone you love—and throw in a lovely card from Target for good measure.

Meatloaf Without Eggs • Recipe for Perfection (5)

Frequently Asked Questions about Making Meatloaf without Eggs

How does meatloaf stick together without eggs? The crumbled crackers act as a binding agent. And when you think about it, you’ll realize that burgers don’t need eggs to hold them together—so why should meatloaf?

Can you freeze raw meatloaf? Yes. Wrap it very tightly in plastic wrap in the same shape that it will be cooked. You don’t want to have to defrost and reshape it. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator, then proceed with the usual cooking directions.

Can you freeze cooked meatloaf? Yes. Cooked meatloaf freezes very well. Wrap it airtight with plastic wrap or in a sealable plastic bag. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator when needed, then reheat in the oven at 350 F until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.

How do you make meatloaf gluten free? Use gluten free crackers and crush them into powder, or run them through a food processor. You can also substitute seasoned gluten free breadcrumbs, but they are less widely available. See also my gluten free meatball recipe!

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Meatloaf Without Eggs

Meatloaf without eggs is quick and easy to make. This meatloaf recipe has only four ingredients (no eggs, of course) and will be ready to bake in minutes.

CourseMain Course

CuisineAmerican

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 241 kcal

Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

  • 1/4cupcheddar cracker crumbsthe consistency of coarse breadcrumbs
  • 1/4cupketchupdivided
  • 1tablespoonwater
  • 1/4teaspoonsalt
  • 1/8teaspoonblack pepperfinely ground
  • 1poundlean ground beef

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of the ketchup, water, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with a fork until a chunky paste is formed.

  3. Add the ground beef to the bowl. Mix with the paste until thoroughly combined.

  4. Place the mixture into the prepared pan and pat down until even. Use a brush to glaze the top of the loaf with the remaining ketchup.

  5. Bake at 375 F for about 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the center of the meatloaf reaches at least 160 F. Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

Recipe Notes

If you don't have cheddar crackers, you can substitute an equivalent amount of seasoned breadcrumbs.

If you don't have a 1 quart baking dish, use a bread loaf pan (first choice) or an 8 by 8 square pan (second choice).

Nutrition Facts

Meatloaf Without Eggs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 241Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 75mg25%

Sodium 479mg21%

Potassium 439mg13%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 25g50%

Vitamin A 75IU2%

Vitamin C 0.6mg1%

Calcium 30mg3%

Iron 2.8mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

For a fun variation on meatloaf, try meatza!

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Meatloaf Without Eggs • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for the egg in meatloaf? ›

Flaxseed Meal Substitute For Egg in Meatloaf

For each whole egg called for, whisk 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl until it thickens. Use as an effective substitute for eggs in meatloaf recipes. Add a little flour if you need to thicken it further.

What is the purpose of eggs in meatloaf? ›

Eggs Add Structure

Egg yolks, which are mostly water but contain a good amount of protein and fat, add flavor, richness, and moisture. They also help bind the meat together and get the loaf to set in a stable form without the need to overwork the meat.

What can be used as a binder in meatloaf? ›

2. Choose a Binder
  • Breadcrumbs.
  • Instant rice (uncooked)
  • Cornflakes.
  • Crackers or croutons, crushed.
  • Fine bulgur (uncooked)
  • Oats (quick cooking or regular)
  • Instant potato flakes (use 1/2 cup)
  • Quick-cooking barley (uncooked; use 1/2 cup)

How do you keep meatloaf from being dense? ›

Use high-fat meat.

For an all-beef meatloaf, always use a higher-fat cut, at least 15 percent. For a meatloaf made with a leaner beef or turkey, consider mixing in some ground pork and/or veal in order to achieve a moist, tender meatloaf. Chopping up bacon and adding it to the mix is always a great way to add fat.

What to use as a binder instead of eggs? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  • Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  • Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  • Fruit puree. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Gelatin. ...
  • Xanthan gum. ...
  • Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  • Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

What can I use instead of egg in ground meat? ›

Chia seeds work as a great egg replacer. 2 tablespoon of Chia Seeds soaked in 3 tablespoon of water is the equivalent of one egg.

What not to put in meatloaf? ›

Onions, garlic and celery do pose one problem though: they don't cook down easily. Little bits of crunchy onion or celery or potent, hot garlic will spoil the comforting aspect of eating meatloaf.

Why do people put milk in their meatloaf? ›

The wet ingredients you add to meatloaf make it juicy. Using whole milk will add more richness and fat that keeps it from going dry. Along with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, it gives meatloaf a marvelous texture.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in meatloaf? ›

So, I googled and it said mayonnaise can be used as a substitution. So, I used 1/2 cup of mayonnaise in place of the eggs, but did everything else as directed apart from adding some ketchup to the top for the last 5 minutes. It was very good and very moist (the mayo helped with that I'm sure).

What is the secret to a great meat loaf? ›

Try adding minced garlic, parsley, and thyme for a deeply savory taste. For mouthwateringly bold meatloaf, add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and ketchup to the pre-baked mixture. This blend ensures that each bite is deliciously balanced with just a hint of sweetness.

How do you make meatloaf hold together? ›

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

What can you use instead of egg to bind breadcrumbs? ›

The typical three-step process is flour, eggs and then breadcrumbs. Instead of the egg, Moskowitz recommends a mix of cornstarch and water, which, when stirred together, forms a slurry. It, too, is an effective glue, and you may even notice more crispness to, say, your chicken parm.

What can I use instead of eggs to bind meatballs? ›

What can I use instead of eggs to bind meatballs? There are several options to substitute eggs in a meatball recipe: 2 tablespoons of buttermilk per egg, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt per egg, 1/4 cup ricotta cheese per egg, or 3 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce per egg.

Can you use mayonnaise in place of an egg? ›

Mayonnaise. If you have a jar of mayo in the fridge, you can use 3 tablespoons in place of one egg. "Mayonnaise has been used as an egg substitute because of its moistening properties and is best suited for cakes with strong flavors, like spice cakes and chocolate cakes," Tutunjian says.

References

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