Keto Meatloaf Recipe (Easy & Low Carb with Onion Gravy)
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You don’t need breadcrumbs or a loaf pan to pull off this delicious keto meatloaf recipe!
Rich ricotta, eggs, some thorough mixing and a tight bacon “hug” are the secret to making juicy meatloaf that stands tall without the need for additional binders (no breadcrumbs) or cooking vessels.
If you’ve got some extra time, do yourself a favor and whip up a quick, low-carb onion gravy to enhance your keto meatloaf experience (more details below)!
Keto Meatloaf Recipe (Easy & Low Carb with Onion Gravy)
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
Keto meatloaf recipe that’s low-carb, straightforward and delicious!
Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
- 6 ounces (about ½ cup) whole milk ricotta
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, grated (optional)
- 2 medium carrots, grated (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (or ¼ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 ounce (about ½ cup) freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
- ¼ cup blanched almond flour
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or liquid aminos)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand) or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef (80% lean 20% fat, see notes)
- 1 pound ground pork (80% lean 20% fat)
- 9–10 slices bacon
For the onion gravy:
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- ¼ medium onion, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 32-ounce box low sodium beef stock
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon A1 Sauce
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (or 2 tablespoons heavy cream)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand) or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
For the meatloaf:
- In a large bowl, whisk together ricotta, eggs, onion, carrots, garlic, poultry seasoning, Parmesan, almond flour, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
- Add the ground beef and pork to the ricotta mixture then mix/knead until thoroughly combined (4-6 minutes). Refrigerate.
- Overlap bacon on an oiled or parchment-lined baking sheet, then place the meatloaf mixture on top and shape into a loaf to fit the width of the bacon.
- Tightly wrap the bacon around the meatloaf and bake in the center of a 400°F oven for 45-50 minutes (center of the meatloaf should be 160-170°F). Optionally, start on the onion gravy while you wait.
- Rest the meatloaf for at least 10 minutes (so the juices don’t run out), then slice and serve immediately.
For the onion gravy (optional):
- Sauté the onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat until softened (4-6 minutes).
- Add the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, A1 Sauce, cream cheese, salt and pepper and boil over high heat until reduced by 75% (or, down to ¼ of its original volume), whisking periodically to fully melt the cream cheese.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk over low heat to fully emulsify into the gravy (you may need to whisk a while longer to fully melt all the cream cheese into the gravy).
- Keep warm and serve with the meatloaf.
Notes
Net carbs: 3.2g (or 5.6g if you make this recipe with the carrots and onion—onion gravy is less than 1g net carb per tablespoon)
You can use all ground beef or pork if you’d prefer.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: keto meatloaf, low carb meatloaf, keto diet
How to Make Juicy Meatloaf Without a Pan
You don’t actually need a loaf pan to make meatloaf. As a matter of fact, I think it turns out better without one!
Here’s how to make juicy meatloaf every time—no loaf pan required.
STEP 1
Mix ingredients thoroughly until completely combined, then refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
STEP 2
Meanwhile, shingle bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
STEP 3
Tightly wrap bacon around the meatloaf—making sure to overlap each slice.
STEP 4
Rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking, then slice and serve immediately.Ketchup Glaze
If you’ve got the time (or want something to do while the meatloaf is baking), this glaze is a nice touch that adds a bit of sweetness to the meatloaf! Here’s how to make it (recipe makes enough for glaze and extra for dipping).
STEP 1
Add 3 cups tomato juice, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ teaspoon onion powder and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder to a pot.
STEP 2
Simmer over medium-high heat until reduced to 1-1.5 cups (about 20-30 minutes, consistency should be “ketchupy” when cool). Glaze has about 2 net carbs per tablespoon.Quick & Delicious Onion Gravy
Gravy makes everything better! If you’re feeling a little adventurous and want to upgrade this already delicious keto meatloaf recipe, then give this onion gravy a shot!
Unlike conventional gravies that are thickened with flour, this recipe is thickened by reducing the liquid down until it reaches a consistency that’s slightly thinner than traditional recipes.
Here’s how to make it (ingredient list and video instructions are also above)!
STEP 1
While the meatloaf is baking, sauté the onion and garlic in butter until translucent.
STEP 2
Add in beef stock, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, A1 Sauce, salt and pepper and reduce down on high heat.
STEP 3
Once it reaches a thin gravy consistency, whisk in the butter over low heat and continue to mix until all the butter and cream cheese is fully incorporated.
STEP 4
Keep warm and spoon over the meatloaf (this gravy is also great with mashed cauliflower or grilled steak)!
Perfectly juicy first time I made it!
★★★★★