Our Southern style Meatloaf recipe is a classic comfort food dish loved for its simplicity and delicious flavor. This recipe takes inspiration from the traditional Southern style, using readily available ingredients like saltine crackers and common pantry staples for a glaze.
Why You'll Love This Southern Meatloaf Recipe
This recipe captures the essence of Southern cooking with simple ingredients and big flavor. You can easily make a smaller meatloaf, make meatballs as well with this recipe.
- Classic Southern Flavors: This recipe captures the essence of Southern comfort food with its savory blend of spices and a sweet and tangy glaze.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand, this meatloaf is budget-friendly and convenient.
- Moist and Flavorful: The combination of ground beef, saltine crackers, eggs, and a little sour cream creates a perfectly moist and flavorful meatloaf.
Ingredients Overview
Packed with savory goodness and a tangy glaze, this easy meatloaf recipe is sure to become a new favorite at your dinner table.
- Ground Chuck - or lean ground beef.
- Saltine crackers, crushed fine.
- Eggs & sour cream
- Seasonings
- Ketchup
- Mustard
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Southern Style Meatloaf
Making this delicious and comforting Southern meatloaf is surprisingly simple! With just a few steps and readily available ingredients, you'll be on your way to enjoying a flavorful and satisfying meal in no time.
Follow this easy instructions below to create a perfectly moist and juicy meatloaf bathed in a tangy glaze - a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at your dinner table.
Add Ingredients To A Large Bowl
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, crushed saltine crackers, onion, bell pepper (if using), egg, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
Combine Until Evenly Mixed
- Mix gently until just combined using your clean hands, a mixer with a dough hook, or a meat smasher hand tool.
Shape Into A Large Loaf
- Form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape in the prepared pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup and mustard for the glaze.
Bake And Glaze
- Spread half the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Baste the meatloaf with any remaining glaze halfway through baking.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Southern meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts for a classic and comforting meal. Leftover meatloaf can be served cold on sandwiches or reheated for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this southern meatloaf recipe.
- You can substitute ground pork or a combination of ground beef and pork for a richer flavor.
- For a more traditional breadcrumb texture, use Panko breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Feel free to add other chopped vegetables to the mix, such as chopped mushrooms, diced celery, or shredded carrots.
- Want a sweeter glaze? Add a tablespoon of molasses or honey.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this southern meatloaf recipe:
- Don't overmix the meatloaf mixture. Overmixing can lead to a tough and dense meatloaf.
- Basting the meatloaf with the glaze halfway through baking helps to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender meatloaf.
Storage Options
- Leftover meatloaf can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Meatloaf can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the cooled meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Related Recipes
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus
- Crockpot Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs
- Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Pan Sauce
- Chicken and Dumplings with Bisquick
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use lean ground beef, but the meatloaf may be slightly drier. To compensate, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil, melted bacon grease, or melted butter to the meatloaf mixture for extra moisture.
Yes, you can absolutely cook the meatloaf in a slow cooker. Follow the recipe instructions for mixing the ingredients, then form the mixture into a loaf and place it in your slow cooker. Add ¼ cup of water or beef broth to the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C).
Absolutely! You can substitute saltine crackers with other types of crackers you have on hand, such as Ritz crackers or oyster crackers. The key is to crush them finely so they bind the meatloaf mixture effectively.
More Delish Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Easy Southern Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- 5.25 x 9.25 Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 25 saltine crackers finely crushed
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dry minced onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup mustard
- ¼ cup mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix all ingredients except the ketchup and mustard together with wet hands or with an electric stand mixer using the dough hook.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place in the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or an instant thermometer inserted into the middle of the loaf reads 160 degrees.
- Stir together the ketchup and mustard.¾ cup ketchup, ¼ cup mustard
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Using a baster, carefully remove the excess grease. Then, smooth the glaze over the loaf. Return the meatloaf to the oven for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes prior to slicing and serving.
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