Transform Dinner Tonight with our Mouthwatering Low-Carb Meatloaf!
What Can I Use as a Binder for Keto Meatloaf?
👉 You’ll want to use a low-carb binder like almond or coconut flour, pork rinds, or other keto bread crumbs substitute in a low-carb meatloaf. These ingredients help hold the meat and flavorings together as well as add moistness.
Welcome to a cooking adventure where healthy treats meet comfort food! We’re about to change the way you eat dinner. Say hello to a new, delicious way of enjoying an old favorite with our low-carb meatloaf.
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make keto meatloaf recipe, this is the one to try! It’s incredibly juicy and moist, while its outside is meaty and hearty.
It has the perfect texture guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters. It’s a great way to get kids to eat more protein and vegetables!
Get ready to create a healthy and tasty low-carb meatloaf. Redefine comfort food, one guilt-free bite at a time!
Table of Contents
- Is Meatloaf High in Carbs?
- Low-Carb Keto Meatloaf Recipe
- Tips for Making Low-Carb Meatloaf
- Low-Carb Meatloaf Variations
- What to Serve with Low-Carb Meatloaf
- Storage and Reheating
- More Low-Carb Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Is Meatloaf High in Carbs?
Meatloaf is a beloved comfort food, but traditional recipes can be high in carbs, making it difficult for those on low-carb or keto diets to enjoy. Common high-carb ingredients include milk, bread crumbs, and ketchup.
But don’t worry, there are ways to make meatloaf low-carb without sacrificing flavor and texture. One approach is to use almond flour or coconut flour instead of bread crumbs. Alternatively, you can use Parmesan cheese for extra cheesy flavor.
You can also use crushed pork rinds as a substitute for bread crumbs, as they have a similar texture and add a crispy exterior to the meatloaf.
Another way to make meatloaf low-carb is to use sugar-free ketchup and unsweetened almond milk to reduce the carb count further.
By making these simple adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious and low-carb meatloaf that fits perfectly into your diet plan.
Low-Carb Keto Meatloaf Recipe
This keto meatloaf is both juicy and moist with a sweet and tangy glaze. Its rich, savory flavor and tender texture won’t disappoint. Plus, it’s sturdy and won’t fall apart when sliced, making it a great choice for presentation.
It uses basic ingredients and only has 3g net carbs per slice. It’s a naturally low-carb and gluten-free meatloaf that serves as a healthy family-friendly dinner option.
Made with simple ingredients, it’s a low-carb dinner recipe you’ll make over and over again!
Low-Carb Meatloaf Ingredients
The ingredients used in this recipe are simple and budget-friendly. You probably already have everything you need in your pantry.
Ground Beef: To achieve a delicious meatloaf, opt for lean ground beef that has a ratio of 80% lean and 20% fat. Avoid using fat-free beef as it will result in a dry meatloaf, while full-fat beef will make it too moist.
Garlic & Onion: For a tender meatloaf, finely mince the garlic and either grate or finely chop the onion. (You can also use onion powder and garlic powder.)
Eggs: Use whole, large, room-temperature eggs. They serve as a binder to help ingredients stick together.
Ketchup: You can either use sugar-free ketchup or tomato paste.
Milk: Unsweetened coconut milk is our preferred choice, although other types of milk could also be used.
Bread Crumbs: Crushed pork rinds or almond flour are great low-carb alternatives to breadcrumbs.
Others: Salt and pepper to taste, freshly chopped parsley.
Here are the measurements you will need for this low-carb meatloaf recipe:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar-free ketchup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
For the meatloaf glaze (optional):
- 3/4 cup sugar-free ketchup
- 1 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute
How to Make Low-Carb Meatloaf
To start, preheat your oven to 190°C/375°F. Then, line and grease a 9×5-inch pan and place it aside.
Mix all the ingredients for the keto meatloaf in a big mixing bowl. Once the mixing is done, form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and add it to the greased loaf pan.
Place loaf pan in the oven and bake for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together all the ingredients to prepare the glaze.
Remove the meatloaf after 40 minutes, then spread the glaze on top. Bake for another 15-20 minutes.
After baking, let the meatloaf sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Use the baking juices from the pan to drizzle over the meatloaf, then sprinkle some extra parsley on top.
Nutrition Information
This low-carb meatloaf recipe makes eight servings. Each serving contains the following:
- Calories: 285kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Net Carbs: 1g
Tips for Making Low-Carb Meatloaf
Remember not to overwork the meat when mixing in the ingredients. This can cause the meatloaf to fall apart and may alter its texture and taste. This rule generally applies to any recipe containing ground beef.
Each person’s taste buds are unique. To ensure that the seasoning is to your liking, you can fry a small portion of the meat mixture on a stovetop. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments before baking the entire loaf.
When it comes to cooking a meatloaf, it’s important to choose the right kind of pan. A loaf pan is great if you want your meatloaf moist, as it traps the steam inside.
However, if you’re aiming for a crispy crust and caramelization, then a sheet pan is the way to go. A sheet pan provides more surface area for the meatloaf to brown evenly, resulting in a delicious and perfectly cooked meal.
When using a loaf pan, avoid packing the meat mixture too tightly to avoid a tough or mushy result. Instead, pat gently.
Cooking meat to the recommended temperature is important, but it is equally important to avoid overcooking. While it is commonly suggested to cook meatloaf to an internal temperature of 165°F, waiting for it to reach that temperature while still in the oven can result in a dry end product.
Instead, it is best to use a meat thermometer to confirm that the meatloaf reaches 160°F, which is sufficient to indicate that it is fully cooked. For even greater precision, a probe thermometer that beeps when the set temperature is reached can be used.
Low-Carb Meatloaf Variations
Here are a few more ways to add some variety to your keto meatloaf recipe:
Bacon-wrapped meatloaf: Wrap pre-cooked meatloaf with bacon strips and use toothpicks to hold them in place. The bacon will become extra crispy while keeping the meatloaf gloriously moist.
Chicken meatloaf: Replace the ground beef with ground chicken. You can do this by adding skinless chicken thighs to your food processor.
Turkey meatloaf: Replace the ground beef with ground turkey. Like the beef, avoid using extra lean turkey.
Meatloaf muffins: Bake the meatloaf in a muffin tin instead of a loaf pan. Reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes and cover the pan after the glaze is added.
Stuffed meatloaf: Add half the meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan, followed by diced bacon and several slices of mozzarella cheese. Top with the remaining meatloaf mixture.
What to Serve with Low-Carb Meatloaf
Low-carb meatloaf is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your meatloaf:
Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or broccoli is a great way to add some color and nutrition to your meal.
Mashed Cauliflower: A low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower is creamy and delicious. You can add some garlic or herbs to kick it up a notch.
Salad: A simple green salad with some vinaigrette dressing is a light and refreshing side dish that complements the meatloaf nicely.
Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb alternative to regular rice, cauliflower rice is easy to make and pairs well with meat dishes. You can also try this cauliflower hashbrown.
Zucchini Noodles: Zucchini noodles, also known as “zoodles,” are a low-carb alternative to pasta. You can serve them with some marinara sauce or pesto.
Steamed Vegetables: Steaming vegetables like green beans or asparagus is a quick and easy way to get some veggies on your plate.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to experiment with different sides to find the combination that works best for you. Enjoy!
Storage and Reheating
Preparing ahead of time is a great option for this keto meatloaf recipe. If you plan on eating it within a few days, you can store it uncooked in the fridge. Make sure to tightly cover the surface with plastic to prevent the meat from oxidizing.
To ensure freshness, store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for two to three days.
To reheat, you can use either a microwave or a preheated oven at 350°F. Heat the low-carb meatloaf until it is warmed through and ready to serve.
Wrap each individual slice of meatloaf tightly and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can store them for three to four months.
More Low-Carb Recipes
Try more of our easy keto recipes for a quick yet flavorful meal any time of the day:
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Carbs are in Keto Meatloaf?
The exact number of carbs in a keto meatloaf can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. In traditional meatloaf recipes, breadcrumbs or other high-carb binders are often included, but in keto versions, low-carb alternatives are used.
Keto meatloaf should have a significantly lower carb content compared to traditional meatloaf recipes. By choosing low-carb binders and minimizing or excluding high-carb additives, you can create a delicious meatloaf that aligns with a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
This particular recipe for low-carb meatloaf contains only 3 grams of net carbs per serving.
What Makes Meatloaf Hold Together?
Meatloaf holds together due to the combination of various binding agents that contribute to its texture and structure. In traditional meatloaf recipes, breadcrumbs are a common binder. They absorb moisture and create a cohesive mixture that helps hold the meatloaf together during baking.
However, in low-carb or keto meatloaf recipes, alternative binders are used to maintain the dish’s structure while adhering to dietary restrictions. Ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, or crushed pork rinds serve as effective substitutes for traditional breadcrumbs in low-carb meatloaf.
These ingredients not only absorb moisture but also add flavor and nutritional value to the dish.
What Makes Keto Meatloaf Moist?
Achieving moistness in low-carb meatloaf involves a careful selection of ingredients to compensate for the absence of traditional high-carb components like breadcrumbs. Fats play a crucial role in maintaining moisture, so incorporating sources such as lean ground meats, olive oil, or other healthy fats is essential.
Additionally, ingredients like finely chopped vegetables contribute moisture and flavor to the meatloaf mixture. These vegetables release water during cooking, infusing the meatloaf with added juiciness while keeping it low-carb.
Another key factor in preserving moisture is the use of low-carb binders that mimic the effect of breadcrumbs. Incorporating eggs into the mixture further enhances the moist texture by contributing both liquid and protein that coagulates during cooking, helping to lock in moisture.
Final Thoughts
We have discovered a new way to make meatloaf that is both healthier and more flavorful. By using low-carb substitutes like almond flour and ground flaxseed, along with vegetables and healthy fats, we have achieved a perfect balance of moisture and taste.
This means you can enjoy the comfort of meatloaf without feeling guilty. We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy delicious food, even if they are watching their carb intake.
As we transform dinner tables tonight with our mouthwatering low-carb meatloaf recipe, it’s a celebration of both culinary creativity and a commitment to wellness. The versatility of low-carb ingredients allows for personalization, ensuring that this recipe caters to various dietary needs without compromising on taste.
So, whether you’re a dedicated keto enthusiast or just exploring the world of low-carb delights, our low-carb meatloaf stands as a testament to the possibility of enjoying comfort food in a healthier, more vibrant way. Let each succulent bite remind you that the intersection of flavor and nutrition is not only achievable but utterly satisfying.
Cheers to the joy of guilt-free indulgence and the savory success of low-carb meatloaf perfection!