People love Cracker Barrel’s homestyle cooking, and their meatloaf takes many people back to happy times. Imagine that you could make that tasty taste in your own home. You can! We will teach you everything you need to know to make a great Cracker Barrel meatloaf.
If you have any hot questions about this comfort food classic, we’ll look at how they make their famous recipe and talk about how to get the right texture and flavor. As such, heat up the oven and make a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
(520 Cal / $0.00)
Their secret recipe is tomato, onion, and green pepper meatloaf. It comes with Corn Muffins or Buttermilk Biscuits that are rolled by hand.
TWO SIDES
(+$ 13.49)
Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Loaded Hashbrown Casserole, Fresh Fruit, Vegetable Soup, Cole Slaw, House Salad, Corn, Macaroni n’ Cheese and More…
THREE SIDES
(+$ 14.99)
Loaded Hashbrown Casserole, Fresh Fruit, Vegetable Soup, Carrots, Cole Slaw, House Salad, Corn, Macaroni n’ Cheese and More…
What Makes Cracker Barrel Meatloaf So Special?
The meatloaf at Cracker Barrel isn’t like other meatloaf. It’s made with a unique mix of ingredients that make it moist, tasty, and cosy. Here are some essential things that make it unique:
- Savory Blend of Meats: Cracker Barrel usually uses a mix of lean ground beef and ground pork, making the food taste better than beef.
- Buttery Ritz Crackers: These broken-up crackers give the meatloaf a nice textural difference and a hint of buttery richness.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The chopped cheese inside the loaf and the melted cheese on top add a cheesy touch to the savory meat.
- Sweet and Tangy Glaze: A simple sauce made of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard is the finishing touch. It gives the dish a sweetness and tang that makes it stand out.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Let’s get to what this meatloaf does best now that you know what makes it unique. The following method will walk you through each step of the process:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 pound 80% lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions:
- Warm the oven up to 175°F (350°F). Cover a baking sheet or loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a big pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. After adding the onions and bell peppers, cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Let it sit for a while to cool down.
- Put the crushed Ritz crackers, beaten eggs, shredded cheese, milk, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a big bowl for the filling. Gently mix until everything is just combined. Caution: Mix only a little.
- Bring the onion and pepper mix to a simmer, then add it to the meatloaf mixture and slowly fold it in.
- Put the loaf pan already made into the meatloaf mixture and make it into a loaf.
- Mix the ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl to make the glaze.
- For 30 minutes, bake the hamburger. Next, use a brush to cover the whole top with the glaze.
- Once the meatloaf hits 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer, keep baking for another 30 to 40 minutes.
- Before cutting and serving, let the meatloaf rest for ten minutes.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cracker Barrel Meatloaf:
- Use the Right Ratio of Meat: Do not cut back on the fat. A juicy meatloaf is full of flavor is made with a mix of 80% lean ground beef and ground pork.
- Don’t Overmix: If you mix the meatloaf too much, it can get tricky and thick. Just mix the items.
- Let it Rest: Let the meatloaf cool for 10 minutes before cutting it out of the oven. This lets the juices move around, making the slice cleaner and more moist.
- Experiment with the Glaze: You can change the finish to your liking. Add a pinch of chilli pepper, or use BBQ sauce instead of ketchup for some heat.
Side Dish Ideas for Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
- Mashed Potatoes: The spicy meatloaf goes well with the creamy mashed potatoes. You can keep it simple or add sour cream, parsley, or roasted garlic to make it taste better.
- Mac and Cheese: This ultimate comfort food side dish goes great with the meatloaf’s sweetness. Try a baked mac and cheese recipe with a crunchy topping for more structure.
- Roasted Vegetables: When you roast veggies, their natural sweetness comes out, and they go well with meatloaf. For a colourful and healthy side meal, roast broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, or all.
- Green Beans: Green beans are a traditional side dish for meatloaf. You can steam them or add bacon, butter, and garlic to make them taste better.
- Dinner Rolls: Warm, fluffy rolls are great for soaking up the meatloaf’s tasty juices.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Variations
You can easily change this recipe to make it your own. Here are some ideas:
- Stuffed Meatloaf: Adding your favourite ingredients to your meatloaf will make it taste even better. You could use mozzarella cheese to make a cheesy centre or sausage, mushroom, and onion to make a tasty stuffing.
- Mini Meatloaves: For a fun and kid-friendly choice, make mini meatloaves that can be eaten by themselves. These cook up faster than a regular loaf and are great for controlling how much you eat.
- Turkey Meatloaf: Use ground turkey instead of beef or pork for a lighter choice.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf FAQs
Does Cracker Barrel meatloaf have pork in it?
Ground beef and ground pork are often both in Cracker Barrel meatloaf. This helps the food grow better and stay fresh. If you want a different taste, you can use all ground beef instead, but it might be dried.
Does Cracker Barrel have meatloaf?
Yes, Cracker Barrel absolutely has meatloaf on their menu! Many people like this dish because it tastes like home-cooked comfort food.
How many calories in Cracker Barrel meatloaf?
Cracker Barrel meatloaf has a range of calories, which rely on how much you eat and how you make the recipe. On the other hand, one dish may have 520 cal.
Is Cracker Barrel meatloaf gluten-free?
The classic Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe is not gluten-free because it calls for Ritz crackers made with wheat flour. But you can create one without gluten by replacing the flour with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
Does Cracker Barrel meatloaf have cheese in it?
Cracker Barrel meatloaf has chopped cheddar cheese mixed in with the meat and sometimes melted on top. Adding cheese makes the dish taste even better with the meat.
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Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Is Cracker Barrel Open on Thanksgiving
Cracker Barrel Dessert Menu
