Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf
34 Comments Apr 21, 2023
Updated Nov 30, 2024
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Classic meatloaf is given a tasty twist in this Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf recipe. As you may have guessed, cooked bacon and barbecue sauce are the highlight and they bring a flavor that will keep you wanting more.
Bacon and barbecue aren’t the only ways to switch up a classic meatloaf recipe. Try this Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf (with Stovetop stuffing) or my Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
My mom made the best meatloaf in the oven, but did you know meatloaf is one of the BEST things to make in the slow cooker? Often meatloaf in the oven can get hard in spots. Not in the slow cooker. The meatloaf stays perfectly tender throughout.
I have a trusted crockpot meatloaf recipe that I follow as a base for this recipe. It’s my mom’s recipe that I converted to the slow cooker. Though that recipe uses ketchup and bell pepper, the rest is the same. Why mess with perfection, well besides adding bacon and barbecue sauce.
- Ground Beef: You’ll want to use no less than 2 pounds with a fat content of 10% or less.
- Barbecue Sauce: This will be used both inside and outside of the meatloaf.
- Bacon: Cook this ahead of time. It will also be used inside and out of the meatloaf.
- Saltine Crackers: These are a classic meatloaf ingredient and are used to help it stay together.
- Eggs: Eggs also work as a binding agent.
- Milk: This is often seen as a hidden ingredient but also helps with binding and creating a juicy meatloaf.
- Seasonings: Onion is diced and used to make a hearty and flavorful meatloaf along with salt, black pepper, and onion powder.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – In a large bowl add the eggs, onion, onion powder, salt, pepper, milk, barbecue sauce, and crushed saltine crackers.
Step Two – After those ingredients are mixed, add in the ground beef, and cooked bacon, and mix until just combined. Don’t overwork the meat.
Step Three – Add the meat to a cooking spray-prepared slow cooker and shape it into a loaf form.
Step Four – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 5 hours on low.
Step Five – Drain off any grease that is sitting around the meat. Drizzle over more barbecue sauce.
Step Six – Add more bacon on top. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
How to serve
- Meatloaf has long been identified as a dish that goes with mashed potatoes, gravy, and something green like green beans, turnip greens, or even asparagus.
- A slice of this delicious meatloaf can also be served on bread to make meatloaf sandwiches.
- Less traditional sides include honey glazed carrots, baked macaroni and cheese, cauliflower and broccoli salad, and/or sauteed mushrooms and onions.
- When it comes to bread, you can’t go wrong with serving it with a slice of white bread, a piece of homemade cornbread, or a piece of toasted garlic bread.
Recipe FAQs
If you want to use something other than saltines (such as oatmeal or panko bread crumbs), the amount of saltines crushed is 1 1/4 cups.
I always say use your favorite sauce, but don’t forget that so many barbecue sauce flavors can make this recipe out of this world!
I have not tested meatloaf on high, sorry! Soups, stews, and roasts are easily adapted, but things like meatloaf and casseroles must be tested.
May need a bit more crackers if the turkey is really moist. But other than that should do fine.
Place any remaining meatloaf in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Reheat it a skillet on the stove top or microwave until warm throughout.
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Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, I use sweet baby rays
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 25 saltine crackers
- 2 lbs. 10% fat ground beef
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- For the topping:
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the eggs, onion, barbecue sauce, milk, onion powder, salt and pepper. Crush the saltine crackers in next and mix this all together with clean hands.
- Add the ground beef and cooked bacon in next, only mixing everything until it just comes together.
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray, and shape the meat in to loaf shape in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, without opening the lid while during the cooking time. Scoop out the fat and discard. Top the meatloaf with the additional barbecue sauce and crumbled bacon.
- Serve and Enjoy.
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- If you want to use something other than saltines (such as oatmeal or panko bread crumbs), the amount of saltines crushed is 1 1/4 cups.
- Place any remaining meatloaf in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Reheat it a skillet on the stove top or microwave until warm throughout.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Will have to try this recipe!!!! Last time I made a meatloaf in my crockpot – I put some slices of bread in the bottom – put the meatloaf on top. All the grease went into the bread so I could just take the meatloaf out and throw out the bread.
About how many slices of bread did you use to soak up the grease?
Would this work in 1.5 qt slow cooker?
I’m not sure. I do have a 1.5 quart slow cooker, and I’m thinking you may want to cut the recipe in half.
I really enjoy this kind of foods,,,,,
I love meatloaf and admit, have never made one in the slow cooker. OK…that needs to change because this looks amazing!!
This looks like the perfect meatloaf recipe!! Great post, Sarah!
I’m making this tomorrow! I was thinking about meatloaf and took some beef out of the freezer and then I saw this post! Looks amazing and can’t wait to try it. 🙂
I have yet to make meatloaf in the slow cooker. I have got to put this on the weekly menu.
yum! this sounds great! I love everything bacon!
I can’t wait to make this for my boys, they will love it.
Thanks Cathy I will fix that right now. The recipe box kept resetting this morn, I had to retype everything about 10 times. I missed that. It’s 8 pieces cooked and crumbled bacon that you put inside, then at the end you top the meatloaf with 8 more slices of cooked and crumbled bacon. I cook this in the microwave. 🙂