Keto Meatloaf – Low Carb Comfort Food
Keto Meatloaf is a low carb version of one of your favorite comfort food recipes. This moist, tender meatloaf tastes just like the original!
Guys, I have to tell you this Keto Meatloaf recipe is so awesome! It’s all of the things meatloaf is supposed to be, moist, tender, with just the right amount of perfectly cooked ketchup on top. It’s a low carb version of classic comfort food that is just as good as the original, especially served with some cauliflower mash!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Thank you!
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl combine the ground beef, diced onions (or onion powder), egg, crushed pork rinds, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and salt. Mix the ingredients until fully combined. I use my hands to do this to really work the ingredients into the meat. You can wear gloves or just wash your hands really good before and after, or you can use two forks to thoroughly mix.
- Press ingredients into a parchment paper lined loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes add the sugar free ketchup on top and bake for 25-35 minutes more. This gives you a beautiful, slightly caramelized topping that is keto-friendly and totally delicious!
- Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. This step is very important! If you remove the meatloaf from the pan before it has time to cool it will fall apart when cut.
What Type of Ground Beef Should I Use?
80/20 ground beef should be used for this recipe. 80/20 ground beef is perfect for the keto diet because it has a higher percentage of fat . This higher fat also helps to keep the meatloaf tender and moist.
You can use a leaner ground beef but the result may be a slightly denser meatloaf.
What Can You Use Instead of Breadcrumbs for Keto?
What makes meatloaf different from just ground beef is what you mix into the meat. A little onion, garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, and an egg add flavor and moisture to the meat. Then you pack it into a loaf pan and top it with a thin layer of ketchup which cooks and caramelizes on top of the meat to make an amazing sauce. Obviously you can’t use breadcrumbs in a keto recipe so the key is finding the perfect substitute for breadcrumbs that help keep the moisture in the ground beef.
Some people use almond flour but that makes for a much denser meatloaf and the use of ground nuts doesn’t really help to hold the moisture in the meat. If you want the perfect keto meatloaf you’ll use crushed pork rinds.
I know you’re making a face but you don’t taste them at all. The crushed pork rinds suck up the liquids and keep the meatloaf moist just like the breadcrumbs. The texture is exactly like a classic meatloaf. To get that delicious sauce on top you use reduced sugar ketchup. You get that perfect baked on sauce on top without all of the carbs. If you’re eating low carb, or even if you aren’t, you have to give this recipe a try. It is truly low carb comfort food.
Is Ketchup Keto?
Regular ketchup is not low carb or keto. It is full of sugar! But Heinz makes a no sugar added ketchup that is only 1 carb per tablespoon. You can use this low carb ketchup as a topping for your keto meatloaf to give it that classic flavor without all of the added sugar.
What you will need to make Keto Meatloaf:
- Loaf Pan – You can use a metal or a glass loaf pan both work equally well.
- No Sugar Added Ketchup – This stuff is a must for meatloaf!
Looking for More Keto Dinner Recipes?
- Low Carb Pizza Casserole
- Low Carb Loaded Cauliflower Bake
- Low Carb Tacos
- Meat Lover’s Pizza Keto Stuffed Peppers
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Keto Chicken Piccata
- Low Carb Cauliflower Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Low Carb Instant Pot Sausage and Kale Soup
- More keto recipes…
Like this recipe?
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipes like this.
Keto Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds 80/20 Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 2 cups Crushed Pork rinds
- 1 large Egg
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ⅓ cup Reduced sugar ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl combine all ingredients except ketchup. Mix ingredients until fully combined.
- Press ingredients into a parchment paper lined loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes add ketchup on top and bake for 25-35 minutes more.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Net Carbs = 3g per serving
- You can substitute 1 teaspoon of onion powder for the diced onions if you’d prefer.
Nutrition
Are the pork rinds measured before or after crushing?
After crushing
Wanting any low carb food even desserts ,my husband has to what carbs ,thanks
Hi Debbra, you can find all of our low carb recipes here https://www.homemadeinterest.com/category/recipes/low-carb/ . Let us know what you think!
Not just good, but the best meatloaf I’ve ever made. You don’t taste the pork rinds if you’re worried about that.
So good! Life changing! Thanks for sharing.
I used 1 lbs ground Turkey or chicken and 1 lbs ground beef to help reduce the sodium in this recipe. Turned out great.
Adam, How did it turn out? I plan on using all ground 🦃 & sautéing the 🧅with a little 🧈 & pink Himalayan🧂 first for adding flavor!
The nutrition facts would be more helpful if you put type of ground beef you used. That changes the nutrition facts. But it is a great recipe, but I did add a little sugar free ketchup to the meatloaf mixture itself.
Made exactly as is and will make it again and again! Thank you for this recipe!
I’m doing the carnivore diet, so would this meatloaf still turn out okay without the onions and Worcestershire sauce?
Yes you can eliminate both. You might want to add just a little more salt to make up for the lack of Worcestershire, maybe 1/2 teaspoon? Also, if you can use onion powder I would add 1 teaspoon of that in place of the onion.
Thank you!! 🙂
Would this be ok to make ahead of time?
Yes you can make this ahead of time and reheat it.
DELICIOUS!! This is the best low carb meatloaf around. I was hesitant about using crushed pork rinds however, they add so much flavor and the texture is perfect.
Thank you! Pork rinds always throw people off but they really make the perfect substitution for bread crumbs in this recipe 🙂
I love this meatloaf!!! Sometimes I’ll shred a carrot and add it to the mix.
Can I use fresh chopped garlic instead of garlic powder?
Yes, though in this recipe I think that garlic powder works best because it distributes more evenly through the meat.
So I’m not a huge fan of meatloaf, but thanks to this recipe I’m converted! It’s SO SO good and fits perfectly with my low carb diet!!
I would like to do half the recipe. Would I omit the egg or would it turn out ok with the one egg? Thanks!
Looks delicious and keto friendly!
Still use the egg, it should not affect the whole recipe.
Do you think sweet relish will work as well, that’s all I have. Also, yes or no to add the relish in the neat mixture? I’m confused… Thanks!
Hi Ashley you commented on the Keto meatloaf (which is a regular meatloaf with no relish involved) but I think you might be referring to our Big Mac Meatloaf? If so you don’t want to use sweet relish if you’re on keto because it has a lot of added sugar. If you just love Big Macs then feel free to use sweet relish instead but it will be a different flavor.
So it should probably read: 2 cups of crushed pork rinds instead of 2 cups of pork rinds, crushed. If I hadn’t read the questions, I wouldn’t have known to put enough.
Thanks Becky I updated the recipe instructions!
Is the 2847 mg. sodium/serving a math error, perhaps?
Yes it is! The totals have been corrected. Thank you so much for catching that.
I was wondering how long you think it would cook in muffin tins instead of a big loaf
Yes! Melinda makes these in a muffin pan all the time. Make sure you grease the pan really well and cook for 20-25 minutes
I love this recipe, I made sure I read in its entirety lol. I can’t wait to try it out.
Can I use meatloaf/meatball meat mixture (ground beef, pork, veal) same 2 lbs
Yes! Yum
My husband raved about this meatloaf, and he’s a big southern man! Absolutely delicious!!
Well that’s a pretty serious thumbs up then!! 🙂
Best meatloaf ever.
What can I use instead of pork rinds?
You can use the grated Parmesan cheese that is like a powder.
This meatloaf is so yummy, though I find it falls apart rather easily. Do you think adding a second egg make it eggy tasting?
I didn’t have a problem with it crumbling but if you did I definitely think adding a second egg will be ok!
How many bags of pork rinds to you typically crush to get 2 cups?
I believe a 2.5 ounce bag of pork rinds makes about a cup when crushed so approximately 5 ounces for 2 cups.
Just tried this. It was good. I don’t normally eat keto so I was not used to the grease. Do you drain your grease during cooking? I have always drained mine. Would it work if I used a silicone meatloaf pan that had raised drainage holes?
I also tried the cauliflower mash for the first time. It was fun to make and very good. Do you get yours as smooth as mashed potatoes? I will have to mix a little more if so.
Hi Roberta, I’m glad you gave it a try! I usually drain the grease off at the end of the baking but you could definitely make it in a meatloaf pan with drainage holes if you have one. If you aren’t eating strict keto (so you aren’t worried about your protein to fat ratio) then you can also use 90/10 or 93/7 ground beef to reduce the fat. I don’t get my cauliflower mash as smooth as regular potatoes so you didn’t do anything wrong 🙂 I think it’s an amazing substitute but even cauliflower has it’s limits.
How long does this last in the fridge please 🙂
3-4 days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container.