🍽️ Southern-Style Meatloaf
Tender inside, crispy edges, and that sweet-tangy glaze on top.
Ingredients
Meatloaf
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1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 is best)
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1 cup milk
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2 large eggs
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1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed (or 1 cup breadcrumbs)
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½ onion, finely diced
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½ green bell pepper, finely diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular)
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp mustard (yellow, Southern classic 😉)
Glaze
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¾ cup ketchup
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp yellow mustard
How to Make It
1. Preheat oven
Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet.
2. Mix it up
In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Stir in crackers, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and seasonings.
Gently fold in ground beef — don’t overmix or it’ll be tough.
3. Shape & glaze
Press mixture into loaf pan or shape free-form on a baking sheet.
Mix glaze ingredients and spread half over the top.
4. Bake
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, then pull it out and spread the remaining glaze on top.
Return to oven and bake another 15–20 minutes, until internal temp hits 160°F.
5. Rest
Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing — this keeps it juicy.
Southern Serving Ideas
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Mashed potatoes + brown gravy
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Green beans cooked with bacon
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Mac & cheese or buttered corn
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Slice of white bread on the side (don’t ask questions 😄)