CopycatSpices
Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Cracker Barrel's meatloaf is a thick, savory slab of home-style comfort with a sweet-tangy tomato glaze that caramelizes into a sticky, flavorful crust.
copycat · cracker-barrel · casual-dining · beef
🕑Prep15 min
🍳Cook60 min
⏱Total1h 15m
🍽Serves6
⭐DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs (about 15 crackers)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
Instructions
- 1.Soak the crackers. In a large bowl, combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until the crackers absorb the milk and become soft. This is the secret to a tender meatloaf.
- 2.Mix the meatloaf. Add the ground beef, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the soaked crackers. Mix with your hands until just combined — don't overwork it or the meatloaf will be dense.
- 3.Shape and place. Shape the mixture into a loaf on a foil-lined baking sheet or in a loaf pan. If using a baking sheet, form a free-standing loaf about 4 inches wide and 3 inches tall.
- 4.Make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard powder.
- 5.Bake the meatloaf. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread half the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf. Bake for 45 minutes.
- 6.Finish with more glaze. After 45 minutes, spread the remaining glaze on top. Return to the oven for 15 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and sticky, and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- 7.Rest and slice. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This lets the juices redistribute so the slices hold together.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf is the platonic ideal of home-style cooking. It’s a thick, tender loaf of seasoned ground beef with a sweet-tangy ketchup glaze that caramelizes in the oven, creating a sticky, flavorful crust. It’s the kind of food that tastes like it was made by someone’s grandmother, which is exactly the vibe Cracker Barrel is going for.
The secret to Cracker Barrel’s tender meatloaf is the panade — the mixture of Ritz cracker crumbs soaked in milk. This acts as a binder that keeps the meatloaf moist and prevents it from becoming a dry, dense brick. The butter flavor in the Ritz crackers adds richness you don’t get from plain breadcrumbs.
Meatloaf Mastery
- Ritz crackers, not breadcrumbs. The buttery, slightly salty flavor of Ritz crackers is what distinguishes this meatloaf from generic versions. Regular breadcrumbs give you a blander result.
- Don’t overwork the meat. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overworking ground beef develops gluten, which makes the meatloaf tough and dense instead of tender.
- Two-stage glazing. Applying half the glaze at the start and the rest 15 minutes before the end gives you a thicker, more caramelized coating. One application just soaks in and disappears.
Country Cooking Price Check
The meatloaf dinner at Cracker Barrel costs about $12-14 with two sides. This recipe serves six for about $9 total — $1.50 per serving. Add mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete Cracker Barrel meal under $3 per person.
