My slow cooker gets a workout this time of year, and since I’m trying to use up last year’s ground venison from the freezer before DH gets this year’s deer (knock on wood), I was delighted to discover this recipe for slow cooker meatloaf while browsing a cookbook I’d forgotten I even had–Cook Once, Eat Twice Slow Cooker Recipes (Better Homes and Gardens)
Bonus: This recipe makes a double batch, so you can freeze one of the meatloaves for later.
Kitchen Tip
This recipe calls for 2 cups of soft bread crumbs. I had to search online to discover that “soft bread crumbs” is exactly what it sounds like–crumbs made from bread that aren’t toasted. It was easy enough to make my own–just put four slices of bread into my food processor and pulse. Each slice makes about 1/2 cup of soft bread crumbs.
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 cups soft bread crumbs
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped (about one medium)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp packed grown sugar
- 1 tsp dry mustard
Instructions
- Combine eggs and milk in a large bowl; stir in bread crumbs, onion, salt, and pepper. Add meat and mix well. Shape into two 5-inch round loaves.
- Make six 3-inch strips out of heavy foil and fold in half. Lay 3 on the bottom of the slow cooker (you'll want to use a 6 or 7 quart oval one for this), put the meat loaf on top, put another 3 down, then put the other meat loaf on top of that. You'll use these to pull the meatloaf out of the slow cooker when it's done.
- Cook on low 7-8 hours or on high 3 1/2 - 4 hours.
- Meatloaf can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before using.
The Verdict: DH and I really liked this. Since our ground meat is in one pound packages, not 1 1/2 pound packages, I used 1 pound of ground pork and 2 pounds of ground venison. I also omitted the brown sugar and dry mustard since I used my own homemade ketchup to top it and that has a good flavor to it already. I also love that it makes two meatloaves so you can freeze one for later.
This post shared at Kitchen Tip Tuesday, Frugal Friday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Wow, great recipe. I have never thought about doing a meatloaf in the crockpot and I crockpot quite a bit for sanity sake! Thank you for sharing about the soft bread crumbs that would have thrown me for a loop:) Found you on Frugal Fridays!
Thaleia recently posted..Frugal Friday: Old Socks and Muddy Boots
whew, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one!