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Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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A tender, flavorful homestyle meatloaf made with buttery Ritz crackers and topped with a sweet-tangy glaze. This copycat Cracker Barrel recipe creates an incredibly moist meatloaf that even skeptics love.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 works best
  • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed (about 1 sleeve)
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper finely diced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
For the Glaze
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Halal Worcestershire sauce

Equipment

  • Loaf pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper.
  3. Add eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix with clean hands or a wooden spoon just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
  4. Transfer mixture to prepared pan and shape into a loaf.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together glaze ingredients: ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
  6. Spread glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  7. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  8. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef to maintain moisture. The meatloaf can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. For leftovers, slice and use in sandwiches. You can substitute ground turkey for beef, regular breadcrumbs for Ritz crackers, or unsweetened almond milk for whole milk if needed. Don't overmix the meat mixture as it can make the meatloaf tough.

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