Some nights dinner needs to be ready when you get home. I use my slow cooker for those nights. I have found that I can even make meatloaf in my slow cooker! My favorite meal is meatloaf and potatoes. Having it ready when we get home? Priceless.
Here are the tips I have found make this work best:
- Use a lean ground beef or turkey. You want some fat for flavor but too much and your meatloaf will be steaming in a vat of fat. I have found 90% works best for me.
- Use enough binder (bread crumbs, eggs, milk) so that your meatloaf won’t dry out while cooking.
- It takes about 4 hours to cook a 2 pound meatloaf on low. You will need to switch to keep warm at that point. If you have a programmable slow cooker this is easy but if not you need to plan to have someone switch it for you or plan to be there to do it yourself.
- Use three sheets of aluminum foil to cover your slow cooker. Place them in a cross pattern to cover the bottom and sides of the slow cooker. Leave enough overhang to lift the meatloaf out using the foil.
- Don’t let the meatloaf touch the sides of the slow cooker. It will get crusty, dry and burnt around the edges.
- If you want you can add potatoes over or around the sides of your meatloaf.
- Use a topping such as barbecue sauce, ketchup and hot sauce or your favorite sauce while cooking the meatloaf. You can put the meatloaf under the broiler for a few minutes to caramalize, as it will not brown in the slow cooker, if you wish.
So, make your favorite meatloaf on those busy nights. Let me know what works for you too!
What's for Dinner Moms? 
I love my slow cooker especially on busy days. I sometimes put the food in at night so that it is ready in the morning. Saves me time in the morning as I just put the food away. Sitting often improves the flavor so it’s a win-win.
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I do that too! Sometimes it is hard to find space for the big bowl in my fridge though.
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In a slow cooker? wow you are a genius! lol
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Lol. Thank you!
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I never would have thought of that!
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Never tried meatloaf in the crockpot. Good tips.
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Thank you!
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We love a good meatloaf, but haven’t used a slow cooker before. We’ll have to give that a try 🙂
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Hope it works out well for you!
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Fascinated at the idea of doing this in a crockpot. Thanks for the challenge!
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Hope it works out well for you! Let me know what you try and how it works. I am still experimenting to make it even better!
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I did a meatloaf post today too!!!! LMAO #greatminds
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I saw! I pinned it to try. Sounded interesting with ginger. A bit of Asian flavor.
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It was really, very, good. And that’s what peaked my interest, I may have added some green onion at the end to intensify the Asian influence, but it was pretty amazing as made. 😊
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And I thought this was on my post. Sorry!!!! Your tips are excellent. People should listen!
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Lol! Thank you.
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Love, love, love meatloaf. I once cooked meatloaf on a grill outside and it was wonderful! Thanks for a great recipe. Happy Friday! 🙂
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Same to you!
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Great tips! You could cover the potatoes in foil when adding them to the crockpot too. 🙂
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OK, you’ve just solved the ‘What’s for Dinner Monday Night?” dilemma. And just maybe we’ll have a Leftover Tuesday deja vu! Good tips about placing potatoes around the sides to keep meet from burning. Thanks!
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I hope you like it and it works out well for you!
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I love the slow cooker and meat loaf, thanks for the tips 🙂
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You are welcome!
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Definitely want to try this meatloaf in the slow cooker recipe!
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I hope it works out well for you!
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