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This Low Carb Meatloaf is just as meatloaf should be— tender and moist, soft but never mushy, cuts easily with a fork, but can be picked up without breaking, oozing juices, but not greasy, meaty and savory– but, in a healthier low carb version! Can I get an AMEN?!
Meatloaf is such a classic comfort food. But when you’re watching your carbs, finding a substitute for the carb-laden ingredients like breadcrumbs and ketchup can be tricky.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Now you can enjoy all the goodness of classic meatloaf in low carb fashion, and I promise, you won’t even miss the carbs.
Key Ingredients
What I love about this simple recipe is that it’s made with just a handful of staple ingredients.
- Lean ground beef– 80/20 or 90/10. I recommend 80/20 for meatloaf and burgers. You want the extra juices.
- Almond flour– this is the best substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf. It helps bind it together, but still absorbs juices so it keeps the meat moist.
- Onion– grating the onions is key for texture and flavor.
- Eggs– also a binding agent to keep everything holding together.
- Tomato sauce– some recipes use milk (high in carbs), I like a thicker liquid, it adds flavor, keeps the meat juicy and works well with the binding ingredients.
- Salt– helps to tenderize, don’t be afraid to be generous here.
- Italian seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce– flavor flavor flavor! You can change this up to your preferences as well. This is very basic and traditional.
- Sugar-free barbeque sauce or sugar free ketchup– I like the extra tang of barbecue sauce in this recipe, but either is fine. My Sugar Free Barbecue Sauce only takes a few minutes to whip up. For store bought, Rufus Teague is a good brand and uses stevia to sweeten).
Instructions
STEP ONE: Mix the ingredients
- Place the ground beef, almond flour, grated onion, pressed garlic, eggs, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and Italian seasoning in the bowl of a stand mixer. (No stand mixer? see #3)
- Use the paddle attachment to mix the ingredients until everything is well combined.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, simply use your hands to work the ingredients until it’s mixed well.
- Place the meat mixture into a standard size loaf pan (8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2) making sure it fills the pan from edge to edge.
- Brush the sugar free BBQ sauce over the top of the meat.
AFMT TIP~ use a pastry brush, silicone brush, or the back of a spoon to gently spread the sauce over the meatloaf.
STEP TWO: Bake the Meatloaf
- Place the meatloaf in a 350-degree oven for 35 minutes, then remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread a second layer of BBQ sauce over the top. Return the meat to the oven to bake another 35 minutes.
STEP THREE: Rest for 10-15 minutes
When meat cooks, the heat extracts the juices and brings them to the surface.
Allowing the meat to “rest” gives those juices a chance to redistribute back into the meat ensuring it will be juicy and not dry.
Just before slicing and serving, you can add more barbecue sauce and garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- The meat will shrink slightly as it bakes, so you may notice it has pulled away from the pan when you take it out of the oven.
- If you notice a lot excess juice has developed in the bottom of the pan you can use a turkey baster to suck some of that liquid out.
- Not looking for low carb? Just sub out the Almond flour for bread crumbs, and use regular ketchup or barbecue sauce.
- Ground Turkey is also delicious in this recipe
Make ahead and storing
- To make your meatloaf ahead of time, follow the recipe up through putting it in the pan. Cover the pan and place it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- After the meatloaf is cooked, store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- You can also freeze your meatloaf.
- Uncooked meatloaf can be covered and frozen for up to six months.
- Cooked meatloaf can be stored in the freezer for the same amount of time. Just make sure it’s frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- To cook, or reheat, thaw completely in the fridge first.
I find Almond flour to be the best substitute however, you can also use:
Ground Pork Rinds, Psyllium husk, crushed nuts, keto bread crumbs,
Make sure you’ve added moisture. Wet ingredients like eggs, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup add more than just flavor, they also keep the meatloaf juicy
What to serve with Low Carb Meatloaf
One of the great things about meatloaf is it goes with just about everything! Here’s some suggestions for keeping your whole meal, low carb.
Related Recipes
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Low Carb Meatloaf
Equipment
- large bowl or stand mixer bowl
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef 80/20
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 small onion grated
- ½ cup almond flour
- 5 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped, optional garnish
- 1 cup Sugar free barbecue sauce or sugar free ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°
- Place the ground beef, almond flour, onion, garlic, eggs, tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, salt and Italian seasoning in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Using the paddle attachment, turn the mixer to ‘stir’ and mix until everything is well combined.
- NOTE: If you don’t have a stand mixer, use your hands to mix everything well.
- Put the meat in a 9 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 loaf pan and press in a bit so it fills the pan.
- Brush with barbecue sauce.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and add more sauce to the top, brushing is on evenly. Return to the oven for another 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, let stand for 10 minutes. Garnish with extra sauce and parsley if you desire.
Notes
- The meat will shrink slightly as it bakes, so you may notice it has pulled away from the pan when you take it out of the oven.
- If you notice a lot excess juice has developed in the bottom of the pan you can use a turkey baster to suck some of that liquid out.
- Not looking for low carb? Just sub out the Almond flour for bread crumbs, and use regular ketchup or barbecue sauce.
- Ground Turkey is also delicious in this recipe
Nutrition
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I have done oatmeal before too, works great, excellent suggestion.
So glad you liked it! Sometimes I use sugar free ketchup too, I usually do homemade. Do you have a brand you like?
Great idea!
I use TVP (textured vegetable protein) in my meatloaf instead of bread crumbs or flour. Works great.
I have been grating onion in anything forever, son doesn’t like onion, ergo, he doesn’t see it – he loves it. I also have been using no-sugar catsup forever. Don’t know about sugar free BBQ sauce, I don’t like sugar in myy food (except desserts). Your recipe using almond flour is great, added a little dry powdered milk, also keeps it moist. We loved it. Thank you.
Oatmeal is also a great substitute for bread crumbs
I use no flour just a up of oatmeal
Comes out great!
Looking forward to trying your recipe