Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe Copycat + Video
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This Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe creates a flavorful, juicy loaf — just like the restaurant version. Serve with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies for an easy comfort food meal! Forget about the stress of dry meatloaf and make this easy copycat recipe. The whole family will love the flavor.
This Cracker Barrel copycat meatloaf is an easy and delicious comfort food meal to put together. Plus, the leftovers are delicious and easy to reheat!
I love making this special recipe meatloaf because it tastes just like the real deal. If you’re a fan of Cracker Barrel, this juicy meatloaf is a must.
And if you’re lucky enough to have leftover meatloaf, it means that you’ll get to enjoy the flavor again the next day!
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Meatloaf is one of our favorite comfort foods. And, there are so many different ways that you can make this dish that I never run out of ideas!
Savory beef combined with veggies, seasonings, and cheese creates the most incredible flavor.
And the sweet, tangy glaze on top is what really makes this copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf shine!
My Best Meatloaf Ever with Balsamic Glaze is moist and delicious, plus it comes together quickly and freezes perfectly.
Craving bold steak flavors? This Bacon Double Cheeseburger Stuffed Meatloaf is just what you need.
Or, try Southwestern Turkey Meatloaf for a lighter version of this classic meal.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground beef – This Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe calls for 20% fat ground beef. You can use leaner ground beef if you want to.
However, the lower fat may result in the loaf being dry. Similarly, you can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken as a healthier option. - Crackers – I use crushed Ritz crackers because that’s what the restaurant uses.
Any variety of crushed crackers will work, as will breadcrumbs, crushed croutons, or torn slices of day-old bread. - Sauce – Cracker Barrel meat loaf is topped with a ketchup-based sauce that gives it the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, while also adding moisture to the dish.
However, plain ketchup or barbecue sauce are great substitutes. - Bell peppers – I use green bell pepper in this recipe. You can substitute any color of bell pepper, or leave them out entirely.
- Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese is what I use, but feel free to use your favorite variety for this dish.
Just be sure to buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself! The anti-caking ingredients in pre-shredded cheese absorb moisture.
As a result, the loaf will be dry. Also, pre-shredded cheese does not melt very well.
How To Prevent Meatloaf From Drying Out
- Include enough fat.
The best meatloaves are moist and juicy because they have the best ratio of meat to fat.
Beef that is 85/15 is the best choice — this means it is 85 percent beef and 15 percent fat.
You could also use 80/20. However, using any leaner than 85/15 will cause the loaf to be dry.
- Use enough liquid.
Also, the addition of liquid to this Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe plays a big role. I prefer to use milk, tomato sauce, or even barbecue sauce.
- Avoid overcooking it.
If possible, use an instant-read thermometer to determine when your Cracker Barrel meatloaf is cooked.
Ovens rarely cook evenly, and some are known to be hotter than others.
For this reason, rather than cooking the loaf for a set amount of time, it’s best to cook it to an internal temperature of 155 degrees.
- Allow time for the dish to rest.
Be sure to allow your Cracker Barrel copycat meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before cutting it.
This allows the juices to redistribute into the loaf, so the juices don’t run out when you cut into it.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf FAQ
No, it does not contain pork — and neither does this copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf!
That said, ground pork or sausage is not an uncommon meatloaf ingredient. Feel free to swap it for some of the ground beef if you would like!
This dish gets its structure from a combination of ground beef with binding agents — specifically, crushed crackers and eggs.
If your meatloaf is crumbling, you likely need to add more binders to it.
Another reason that your Cracker Barrel meatloaf may fall apart is that you haven’t worked the ingredients together well enough. Of course, you don’t want to over-mix them, but they should be well combined.
If you’d like to cover the Cracker Barrel meat loaf while you bake it, you can.
Just be sure to uncover it during the last 15 minutes of baking time so the top can brown and the sauce can turn into a glaze.
Once you bake the meat mixture, you’re going to want to put a little something right on top. Most people add ketchup to the top of this Copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe, but you can add anything that you like.
For a flavorful meatloaf, you can add a mixture of yellow mustard and ketchup. Whatever your family favorite way is, have fun with it.
I’m all about pairing this favorite entree with favorite sides. Some options can be roasted sweet onion, cooked green peppers, or even a large bowl of steamed green beans.
This famous meatloaf is also served with mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, and other typical comfort foods. The great thing about making this meatloaf mixture is that you can pair this moist meatloaf with so many different flavors!
The next time that you crave this Cracker Barrel meatloaf copycat recipe, head to the grocery store and gather the common ingredients. There’s no need to spend more money buying this at the local Cracker Barrel restaurant when you can make it at home!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Copycat Recipes
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe Copycat + Video
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef, 24 ounces
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers, about 1 1/2 sleeves
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced (you can use red too)
- 3 cups fresh shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Topping
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add ground beef to a large bowl and using a spoon start breaking it into large crumbs.
- Add the rest of the ingredients from the “Meatloaf” list to the ground beef and mix well to fully combine. You can use your hands to combine everything.
- Cover a baking dish with aluminum foil and grease with cooking spray. Transfer the beef mixture into the center of the baking dish, and shape in into a loaf. Also, the beef mixture can be added to a 9×5 inches meatloaf pan.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- In the meantime, add all the “ Topping” ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Spread the topping onto the meatloaf and continue to bake for another 20-30 minutes. Until the top is golden brown and or until meatloaf is cooked through with an internal temperature at the center of 160 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2019, updated and republished February 2024
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Really really good
awesome awesome awesome I love that my husband love is my 89 year-old parents adore it! I will be making this forever!
I have hated meatloaf forever.i made this for my son and husband so I tried it,you have converted me.very delicious,I have made it 4 times this year 😘😋
Truly delicious recipe! It is a hit with my family! I like to top it with fried onions to give it a little bit of a crunch with each bite.
This is the best meatloaf I have ever eaten!
So what is the total baking time?
70-80 minutes and then 10 minutes resting time out of the oven.
Love this meatloaf. Discovered the recipe about 2 months ago. Made it then and ones in the oven for supper tonight!
I’ve never had cracker barrels meatloaf, but now I don’t even want to try it! This meatloaf was so good, i bet its better than the original
original isn’t even that great truly. I have had it multiple times in south Portland by the mall my first time it was sooo delicious so now I keep getting it hoping it will be as good as that time, but it never is.
Line the baking pan with onion, peppers, white or yellow potatoes, tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, ketsup, bbq sauce, compatable vegetables of choice washed and sliced. Add meat mixture, topping with more vegetables.
you just changed the whole recipe! we wanted MEATloaf, not a vegetable medley!!! I love cracker barrel meatloaf! you just need to throw a roast on top of your veggies and keep on cooking! 🤣
I’ve tried innumerable meatloaf recipes and this one is a standout! It was tender and juicy (take that, you meatloaf haters, haha!). Congrats to Cracker Barrel and TSRI!
Will my meatloaf be hopelessly dry if I use packaged shredded cheese?
Hi Sharon!
It may be a little dry! I tend to add a bit more egg when using packaged cheese. Hope this help!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
donna and chad have done it again! this cracker barrel meatloaf recipe is a total winner! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Hi Kaitlyn!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
donna’s meatloaf recipe is a game-changer! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I added some diced mushrooms for extra flavor, and it turned out fantastic!
Hi Michael!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
i can’t believe how easy this was to make, and it tasted AMAZING! thanks, Donna and Chad! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Hi James!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
My hubby is a critic of meatloaf.Has to be very good for him to like it.Well,he loves this one.The only recipe he would like for me to use.Thank you!
Omg,best meatloaf ever! I don’t know why but turned out light,not heavy.I mixed brown sugar with catsup and mustard for the top.Put that on the last 10 minutes.This is really good folks!