Low Carb Keto Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

My keto meatloaf recipe is the perfect low carb dinner that the whole family will love. Baked to perfection, it comes out juicy, tender, and absolutely delicious!

Nothing says celebration like a good, home-cooked low carb meatloaf. Whether it’s Christmas or a Sunday meal with the family, this is the recipe to make to impress everyone.

This low-carb meatloaf recipe will even be a hit with those who aren't afraid of carbs.

I tested this recipe over and over until it was perfect.

I tried keto breadcrumbs, flaxseed, parmesan and grated nuts, almond flour, coconut flour and even ground pork rinds.

What you have here is the one that won the contest! In my opinion, it's the BEST keto meatloaf ever!

Is Meatloaf Keto-Friendly?

First of all, can you eat meatloaf on your keto diet?

My low carb meatloaf is actually very low in carbohydrates, with only 2.5g of net carbs per slice. This makes it the perfect addition to your meal plan.

I promise if you're a meat-lover, this low carb meatloaf will become one of your go-to dinners.

It's quick and easy to prepare and such a hearty comfort food.

Ingredients You'll Need

You don't need any complex ingredients to make this hearty keto meatloaf. Most of these ingredients you'll already have at home.

For the exact ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card below.

• Ground beef - You don't need to use extra lean ground beef for this recipe. I recommend using standard or lean ground beef, or the meatloaf can come out too dry.

• Eggs - Use large eggs in this recipe to help bind everything together.

• Flaxseed - I tested a number of binders for this recipe, including almond flour and coconut flour. In the end, I found that flaxseed works very well.

• Herbs and spices - Paprika, salt, black pepper, and parsley are the staples for this meatloaf. Make sure they are fresh!

• Cheese - I used finely grated Parmesan cheese for this meatloaf.

• Sauce - Meatloaf is nothing without a delicious sauce. I used tomato paste and balsamic vinegar with a pinch of salt and paprika. It is a sweet and tangy sauce that goes perfectly with meatloaf.

How To Make Keto Meatloaf

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) and line a baking pan with a baking sheet.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together your ground beef, parmesan cheese, eggs, onion, garlic, flaxseed, salt, paprika, and parsley.

Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes. This is an important step because it will allow the flaxseed to soak up all the extra liquids.

While the meatloaf mixture is resting, you can make the topping sauce.

In a bowl, mix together the tomato paste and balsamic vinegar and season with a pinch of salt and paprika.

After it has finished resting, transfer the mixture onto your baking pan and shape it into a loaf.

Brush over the sauce generously making sure to completely cover the top of the meatloaf.

Bake in the preheated oven uncovered for around 60 minutes until cooked through (cook time may vary).

Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before you slice the meatloaf.

Cooking Tips

Best Baking Temperature

After much experimenting, I decided to bake the perfect tender and juicy meatloaf at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for 60 minutes.

Each oven varies so much in temperature, so this may be different for you.

You can also use a food thermometer until the internal temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius).

Avoid Loaf Pans

Don't use a loaf pan to make meatloaf. It's best to bake it on a baking sheet in a large baking pan. This allows the outside to crisp up.

Juicy and Tender Meatloaf

The most crucial step for a light, juicy, and tender meatloaf is the mixing of the ingredients.

For the perfect fluffy texture, make sure to handle everything gently. Combine the ingredients until everything is well incorporated.

Be very gentle when shaping your meatloaf and this should stop it from coming out too dense.

Seasoning

You can easily modify this low carb meatloaf recipe to your own states. Experiment with chili powder, thyme, onion powder, and cumin.

Recipe Variations

There are so many variations you can use with my recipe. Try some of these!

Other meats - you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken. Make sure you avoid lean turkey and chicken. Ground chicken with chicken thighs is a great option.

Bacon wrapped - jazz up your meatloaf by wrapping it with bacon strips before popping it in the oven. The bacon strips become super crispy while keeping in all the moisture so the meatloaf stays juicy and tender!

Cheese stuffed - transfer half the meatloaf mixture onto the baking pan and then stuff the center with mozzarella cheese. Add the other half of the mixture on top and bake.

Storage Instructions

Another great thing about this keto meatloaf is that the leftovers are still delicious the following day, even cold!

In the fridge: It will keep for up to 1 week when refrigerated in an airtight container. A great way to enjoy a slice is to fry it in a pan with a little olive oil.

In the freezer: Place meatloaf slices in individual freezer-proof bags or airtight containers. They'll keep for up to 6 months.

To reheat: Pop the meatloaf in the microwave at 30-second intervals until heated all the way through. You can also reheat it in the oven for around 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Meatloaf is such a versatile main dish that goes well with almost any side dish.

I recommend serving it with my keto bread rolls and loaded cauliflower mash. Why not make it a family feast? Complete the dinner with my no-bake pumpkin cheesecake for dessert!

Other Sides

• Keto Cauliflower Salad
• Cheesy Roasted Green Beans
• Best Keto Cornbread

📖 Recipe