Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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This keto meatloaf is just as juicy and flavorful as the traditional one you've always loved!

Almond flour and parmesan add flavor and keep the juices in. The glaze is made with unsweetened ketchup. This meatloaf is delicious and easy to make.

Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I'm a notoriously lazy cook, always looking for simple, low-effort recipes. Meatloaf is perfect for me. Since everyone around here likes it, and the leftovers are excellent, I make it often for my family.

After years of making this keto meatloaf, tweaking, and experimenting, I have developed the perfect recipe. It's flavorful, juicy, and just as good as traditional meatloaf.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Keto Meatloaf Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Meatloaf Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this keto meatloaf. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Egg: I use large eggs in most of my recipes, this one included.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme.
  • Ground beef: I use lean ground beef - 85% lean and 15% fat. I don't recommend using extra-lean ground beef in this recipe. It works well in some recipes, such as this keto ground beef casserole, but it's too dry for this one.
  • Almond flour: I use blanched, super fine almond flour.
  • Parmesan: Use dry-grated parmesan, which is finely grated. Don't use coarsely shredded cheese in this recipe.
  • Unsweetened ketchup: I typically use the Primal Kitchen brand.

Variations

The best way to vary this recipe is with different spices. As you can see, I like to use garlic powder, onion powder, and a small amount of dried thyme in addition to salt and pepper.

While I always stick with the garlic and onion powders, I sometimes use dried oregano instead of thyme. I also like, on occasion, to add two teaspoons of smoked paprika or chili powder to the mixture. A bit of cumin (no more than ½ teaspoon) is also excellent.

Keto Meatloaf Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

You start by whisking the egg, salt, pepper, and spices together in a bowl. Add ground beef, almond flour, and parmesan. Gently mix to combine.

Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. It's helpful to use a small loaf pan (8 X 4 inches) lined with plastic wrap to shape the meat mixture and then transfer the meatloaf to the baking sheet.

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Brush the top of the loaf with ketchup.

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Bake it until cooked through, for 50-60 minutes at 350°F. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

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Expert Tips

  • Handle the mixture lightly. One of the most important things you can do to keep your keto meatloaf tender and fluffy (not a brick!) is to handle it lightly. Mix just until everything is incorporated, and when you shape it into a loaf, be gentle.
  • Don't go too lean. I use lean (85/15) ground beef. This is the leanest you should go. An 80/20 blend is even better. You should avoid extra-lean ground beef.
  • Don't use a loaf pan. It's always best to bake a meatloaf on a large, rimmed baking sheet so the outside can crisp up. If you bake it in a loaf pan, it will bake inside its own juices and won't crisp up.
  • Foil is better. I tried making this recipe with a foil-lined pan and a parchment-lined pan. The meatloaf turns out much better when the pan is lined with foil, likely due to better heat distribution.
  • Let it rest. Rest the meatloaf for about 15 minutes before slicing it. This helps the juices redistribute and settle. It's never a good idea to cut into a meatloaf as soon as it emerges from the oven.

Recipe FAQs

How long should I bake a keto meatloaf?

After many experiments, I have concluded that if you want it to be juicy, you need to bake it for 50 minutes at 350°F.

I have tried different temperatures and cooking times (such as 40 minutes at 400°F), but ultimately, we were all happiest with 50 minutes at 350°F.

Ovens vary in their temperature. So, the best way to ensure the meatloaf is done is to use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160°F.

What is a good substitute for breadcrumbs?

I use almond flour instead of the traditional breadcrumbs. While not as absorbent as breadcrumbs, almond flour does work well to absorb the juices, keeping them inside the meatloaf.

I also add grated parmesan, which helps absorb juices and adds great flavor.

Should I glaze a keto meatloaf?

I recommend that you do. I resisted glazing my meatloaves with ketchup for years. Why ruin a good, savory dish with a thick glaze of a sweet condiment? It just didn't make sense.

Until I tasted ketchup-glazed meatloaf at my friend's house. I was smitten! Her secret? She applies the glaze at the start of baking and does not re-glaze after the meatloaf is done.

The ketchup bakes into the meat and becomes caramelized. Without a second coat of ketchup, the flavor is subtle. It enhances the meatloaf without overpowering it.

Serving Suggestions

This is a wonderfully versatile main course that goes with any side dish you could possibly think of.

You basically have two approaches when it comes to selecting sides. Serve this comfort food with other comfort foods such as mashed cauliflower, loaded mashed cauliflower, or creamed spinach.

Or serve it with a light side dish such as an arugula salad, creamy cucumber salad, sauteed green beans, or steamed broccoli. It depends on your mood!

Storing Leftovers

This keto meatloaf is one of those dishes that gets better the next day. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to four days.

Reheat the leftovers covered in the microwave, or - even better - slice and pan-fry the slices in olive oil.

The leftovers are also excellent cold. I sometimes make a plate of them for lunch the next day with Dijon mustard, sriracha mayo, fresh-cut veggies, and quick pickles.

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More Meatloaf Recipes

  • Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
  • Egg-Stuffed Meatloaf (Klops)

Recipe Card

Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (12)

4.98 from 1745 votes

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Perfect Keto Meatloaf

This is the perfect keto meatloaf! Almond flour and parmesan add flavor and keep the juices in. The glaze is made with unsweetened ketchup.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Rest time15 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 324kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon of any other salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef (85/15)
  • ½ cup almond flour blanched and finely ground (2 ounces)
  • ½ cup Parmesan grated
  • ¼ cup unsweetened ketchup

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)

  • In a large bowl, whisk the egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

  • Add the ground beef, almond flour, and Parmesan. Gently mix, just until uniform.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (15)

  • Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf by packing it into a plastic wrap-lined small loaf pan (8 X 4 inches).

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

  • Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (17)

  • Brush the meatloaf with ketchup.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

  • Bake the meatloaf until its center registers 160°F, 50-60 minutes.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (19)

  • Rest the meatloaf for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (20)

Video

Notes

  • Handle the mixture lightly. One of the most important things you can do to keep your keto meatloaf tender and fluffy is to handle it lightly. Mix just until everything is incorporated, and when you shape it into a loaf, be gentle.
  • Don't go too lean. I use lean (85/15) ground beef. This is the leanest you should go.
  • Don't use a loaf pan. It's best to bake a meatloaf on a large, rimmed baking sheetso the outside can crisp up. If you bake it in a loaf pan, it will bake inside its own juices and won't crisp up.
  • Foil is better.I tried making this recipe with a foil-lined pan and a parchment-lined pan. The meatloaf turns out much better when the pan is lined with foil, likely due to better heat distribution.
  • Let it rest. Rest the meatloaf for about 15 minutes before slicing it. This will help the juices redistribute and settle. It's never a good idea to cut into a meatloaf as soon as it emerges from the oven.
  • Leftovers: This meatloaf is one of those dishes that gets better the next day. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to four days. Reheat the leftovers covered in the microwave, or - even better - slice and pan-fry the slices in olive oil. You can also serve them cold.

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Nutrition per Serving

Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 518mg | Fiber: 1g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (31) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Elizabeth

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (32)
    Fabulous recipe!! I swapped out the flour for ground pork rinds.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Elizabeth,
      Thank you for taking the time to let us know that pork rinds work as a substitute for almond flour! Much appreciated!

      Reply

  2. Sandra

    Hi! Thank you for the recipe. Is there anything I can substitute for the egg or more specifically the egg yolk. My son cannot have egg yolk. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Sandra,
      You can use two egg whites instead of one whole egg.

      Reply

  3. Elizabeth

    Could you substitute the almond flour for crushed pork rinds?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Elizabeth,
      Yes, absolutely. Crushed pork rinds are saltier than almond flour, so I would use half the salt.

      Reply

  4. Howard Schussler

    Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (33)
    I was hoping to make an edible meatloaf. Instead, this was delicious.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this meatloaf, Howard! Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Reply

  5. Mea

    Can I substitute bison for the meat and pork rinds for the flour?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Mea,
      Yes, you can, as long as the bison is 85/15 and not leaner. If it's leaner, I recommend adding a tablespoon of ghee (or oil) to the mixture.

      Reply

  6. Mrs Sherry Wolfe

    How many total carbs in your meatloaf per serving?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Mrs. Wolfe,
      According to my nutrition software, each serving has 3 grams of carbs. The recipe makes eight servings.

      Reply

« Older Comments

Perfect Keto Meatloaf - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

4. Ground Nuts: For an added touch of texture when substituting bread crumbs, consider ground nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans as an alternative. After finely chopping, swap the bread crumbs with an equal amount of ground nuts in your recipe. The result is a meatloaf boasting even richer flavors.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

How many carbs are in a keto meatloaf? ›

This keto meatloaf recipe has 4.4g of carbs and 1g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.4g net carbs per serving. How do you store keto meatloaf? Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.

What is the secret to good meatloaf? ›

Use high-fat meat.

The leaner the meat, the dryer and grainier the meatloaf. For an all-beef meatloaf, always use a higher-fat cut, at least 15 percent. For a meatloaf made with a leaner beef or turkey, consider mixing in some ground pork and/or veal in order to achieve a moist, tender meatloaf.

What can I substitute for bread crumbs on keto diet? ›

Other breadcrumb substitutes
  • Almond flour. Most nuts can be ground down into a meal or flour and can be used as a high-protein, high-fat, and low-carb breadcrumb mixture. ...
  • Coconut flour. Use this flour for binding or breading. ...
  • Grated parmesan cheese. ...
  • Ground Lupini beans. ...
  • Psyllium husk. ...
  • Golden flaxseed meal.
Apr 24, 2023

What is the healthiest alternative to breadcrumbs? ›

Coconut flour is high in fibre and healthy fats, making it a nutritious substitute for breadcrumbs. It can be used to bread chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, and then bake or air fry them for a crispy and delicious meal.

What is the best binder for meatloaf? ›

The most traditional meatloaf binder is probably torn up bread soaked in milk, but you can also use bread crumbs, Panko, dehydrated potato (instant mashed potatoes), or just about any other grain.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

What happens if you put too many eggs in meatloaf? ›

Fewer eggs will create a denser and firmer meatloaf that will be more compact and easier to slice, but more eggs can create a more tender and light texture that allows the meatloaf to melt in your mouth.

Can you eat unlimited meat on keto? ›

Meat and poultry are popular with people on the keto diet because they're high in fat and very low in carbs. However, scientists have found links between eating too much meat on a regular basis and health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and excess weight.

How many net carbs will kick you out of keto? ›

Eating more than 50 grams of carbs may disrupt ketosis.

Some people can eat more and still stay in ketosis, whereas others may need to restrict their carb intake more in order to stay in ketosis.

Is Oatmeal good for keto diet? ›

Regular rolled, quick-cooked oatmeal is not considered a keto-friendly food. One cup of oatmeal contains around 47 grams (g) of net carbohydrates. When you factor in your carbs from other food sources, even half a cup of oatmeal can exceed your daily allowance of carbs in a keto diet.

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

Why put ketchup in meatloaf? ›

Whether you slather a thick layer of ketchup on top of the meatloaf before it goes into the oven, add a few tablespoons to the ground meat mixture, or serve extra ketchup on the side, this tangy-sweet, umami-rich condiment balances out the richness of the beef, making it an essential part of the dish.

What can I use to bind instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Nuts Or Seeds

Sunflower seeds, almonds, and sesame seeds are all great breadcrumb alternatives. Chop larger nuts finely in a food processor. Seeds like sesame are already small enough and can be used as is. Use a variety of nuts as a coating for chicken, fish, or pork; just pulse them finely so they will stick.

What can a diabetic use instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Breadcrumb Substitutes
  • Ground pork rinds.
  • Almond flour or almond meal.
  • Crushed nuts.
  • Keto bread crumbs.
  • Psyllium husk.
Apr 11, 2022

Is oatmeal better than bread crumbs in meatloaf? ›

Oats are the perfect substitutes for breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf. While they aren't ideal for a crispy coating, they add the right amount of texture to bind meat, eggs and flavorings together into a delicious Italian-inspired feast.

Why does meatloaf need bread crumbs? ›

Breadcrumbs for meatloaf are used to absorb the juices and keep them in the meat while it cooks so that it stays moist; without the breadcrumbs, the meat would dry out in the oven. Breadcrumbs also add to the meatloaf's tender texture so it's more than a giant seasoned hamburger when you pull it out of the oven.

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