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Easy Crockpot Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

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This incredibly tender and juicy slow cooker meatloaf features a sweet and savory brown sugar glaze that caramelizes on top. It’s a hands-off, forgiving recipe perfect for busy weeknights, and even picky eaters will love it.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup milk (whole milk preferred, 2% or oat milk work)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt (fine sea salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Line your slow cooker with parchment paper, letting the ends hang over the sides to create handles.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and form a thick paste.
  4. Add ground beef, beaten eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, about 1-2 minutes. Do not overmix.
  5. Transfer the meat mixture to the parchment-lined slow cooker. Shape into a loaf about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, leaving space around the edges.
  6. Spoon about half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and spread evenly.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  8. About 30 minutes before serving, spoon the remaining glaze over the top. Cover and cook for the final 30 minutes.
  9. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the meatloaf out of the slow cooker. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
  10. Slice into 1-inch thick slices and serve warm.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef. Do not overmix the meat. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. If prepping the night before, mix and shape the loaf in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate. Add glaze and cook in the morning, adding an extra 30 minutes to cooking time.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-crockpot-meatloaf-with-brown-sugar-glaze/