You won't miss the grains in this Paleo Meatloaf! This recipe uses shredded apples in place of the bread crumbs, it is surprisingly light and has a hint of natural sweetness.
I grew up eating my mom's delicious meatloaf. It is so good that one Valentine's Day, she made a heart shaped meatloaf. I'm not kidding... look!
My recipe has evolved from my Mom's, but it too is delicious and is a favorite of my kids. My family really liked this paleo version, they said they didn't get that "heavy feeling" that they usually have after eating meatloaf.
I used my homemade Paleo Ketchup for this recipe and it worked beautifully. It has less than half the sugar of my favorite organic ketchup brand (Trader Joes), and it is sweetened with honey.
This is another great make-ahead meal, it's even better the next day!. Meatloaf has been featured at my ski house many times, it's inexpensive, filling, and in this case healthy...
A note about portions: This recipe fed my family of four who usually puts away six servings, and we still had some left over. You can easily half this recipe to make a smaller meatloaf.
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Paleo Apple Meatloaf
Servings: 8
- For the Meatloaf:
- 2 lbs ground beef pasture-raised, grass-fed
- 2 apples grated I used 1 granny smith and 1 honey crisp
- 1 & 1/2 cup onion grated
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup organic without high fructose corn syrup
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 Tbs coconut aminos
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tsp black pepper
- For The Ketchup Onion Glaze:
- 1/4 cup onion grated I pulse in the food processor, then strain liquid
- 1/2 cup of ketchup organic without high fructose corn syrup
- 2 Tbs maple syrup
- 1/2 Tbs raw honey
- 2 Tbs apple cider
- 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbs coconut aminos
- I recommend using organic ingredients when possible.
For the Meatloaf:
Heat oven to 350°F.
Peel, core, and grate the two apples. The food processor makes this a quick job. While you have the food processor out, grate the onions, and then strain off the liquid. I used two large onions which produced enough for the Ketchup Onion Glaze too.
Add all ingredients in large mixing bowl; use your hands to combine, but don’t over-mix.
Form into a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet, which is lined with parchment paper.
Bake for thirty minutes, and then drain the grease and juices off of the pan. Scrape off any congealed fat, which may have formed around the edges. Cover the meatloaf with the Ketchup Onion Glaze, spreading with a rubber spatula for an even coat.
Bake 10 to 15 minutes more, or until meatloaf is cooked to medium doneness (160°F). Let stand at least 5 minutes before slicing.
For the Kechup Onion Glaze:
Mix all glaze ingredients together, simmer for 10-20 minutes until thickened and reduced.
After meatloaf has cooked for 30 minutes, drain the grease and juices off of the pan. Remove any congealed fat, which may have formed around the edges of the meatloaf.
Cover the meatloaf with the Ketchup Onion Glaze, spreading with a rubber spatula for an even coat.
Hi Caroline, Remember me? It's your Mom's friend Anne.. Just wanted to tell you that I love your website and your blog....I subscribed... and I'm definitely going to try the meatloaf recipe. Meatloaf is a favorite of mine and yours sounds delicious...
Hope you, Ron and the boys have a wonderful Thanksgiving... looking forward to more recipes!
Kind regards,
anne
Hi Anne! So glad you like the blog! Let me know what you thing of the meatloaf. Happy tG!
I can't wait to try this tonight!
Can I use a loaf pan? or would it not turn out the same?
Elizabeth
I would not suggest a loaf pan for this recipe because it releases a lot of moisture while cooking, and I worry the meatloaf would have a soggy texture.
I have never tried adding apples on my meatloaf and I bet that gives the meat a lot of moisture and flavor. Your homemade ketchup looks so fresh and delicious!
Thanks Abigail, I hope you like it.
Hi, this looks great!
question: Can I bake this into meat loaf muffins using a muffin tin? It'd be perfect for portioning. And can I use Bison?
This meatloaf releases a lot of moisture while cooking, so I'm not sure if it would do well in a muffin tin. I worry it might have a soggy texture. I have not tried it with bison, but I bet it would be good. Let me know if you like it with bison, maybe I'll give it a go!
Would these work as meatballs?
I would assume so, but I wouldn't make them too small or they might be dry. I would suggest 2&1/2" to 3" You will also need to reduce the cooking time. I would check them after 20 minutes. Let me know how they turn out this way!
BTW, if you are looking for grain free "traditional" meatballs, you might like this recipe: https://awholenewtwist.com/grain-free-meatballs/
I appreciate it, but I like the apple idea too much!
how many servings does this make? Thanks!
This meatloaf serves 8. I just updated the recipe. Thanks!
If I don't have apple cider, will it make a big difference in the taste of the glaze? I have raw apple cider vinegar but no apple cider.
You can use apple juice, or just water.
I made this tonight. I was skeptical and almost backed out at the last minute! It was super yummy. Everyone loved it. I did add oregano, parsley and basil to give it a more Italian meatloaf flavor. Delicious
!
Awesome! Glad you didn't chicken out 😉
I have no coconut amino. Can I omit?
Yes you can omit it.
This looks delish! Are u supposed to strain off the apple juice too or just the onions?
Both the apple juice and the onion juice.
looks delicious! and healthy ingredients.