Ah, classic comfort food! Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf is hearty, savory, and has that slightly sweet tomato glaze that makes it unforgettable. Here’s a copycat recipe so you can enjoy it at home:
🍖 Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Ingredients
For the meatloaf
- 2 lbs ground beef (or 1 lb beef + 1 lb pork for extra flavor)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup ketchup (plus extra for topping)
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
For the glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds tang)
Instructions
1. Prep the Oven & Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Make the Meatloaf Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine milk and breadcrumbs. Let sit 5 minutes until soft.
- Add ground meat, eggs, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and seasonings.
- Mix gently with hands or a spatula until combined (avoid overmixing—keeps it tender).
3. Shape & Add Glaze
- Transfer mixture to the loaf pan and shape into a loaf.
- Mix glaze ingredients and spread over the top of the meatloaf.
4. Bake
- Bake 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Optional: For extra caramelization, broil the top 2–3 minutes at the end.
5. Rest & Serve
- Let meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or Cracker Barrel-style fried apples.
Tips for Perfect Meatloaf
- Don’t overmix: Keeps meatloaf tender, not dense.
- Breadcrumb soak: Milk softens breadcrumbs for a moister loaf.
- Extra flavor: Sauté onions and garlic before mixing for a richer taste.
- Leftovers: Meatloaf sandwiches are amazing the next day.
If you want, I can also make a short, mouthwatering TikTok-style version of this recipe with step-by-step shots and the iconic Cracker Barrel vibe.
Do you want me to do that?
