If you don't have any eggs on hand, don't worry. You can still create a mouthwatering meatloaf without eggs using simple ingredients! Is it still tender? You bet! Does it still hold together? Perfectly! Well, what's the secret? Let me tell you...
Why are eggs added to meatloaf?
Eggs are commonly used as a binder in a traditional meatloaf recipe to help hold everything together so it doesn't crumble and fall apart. The egg yolk in particular adds a little moisture, protein, fat, and flavor to the meatloaf. However, if you have an egg allergy, or just don't keep eggs on hand, you may think you can't make your favorite meal. Well, that is simply not true. This is a great recipe for anyone craving a flavorful meatloaf.
Here's the secret: You can still make an exceptionally flavorful and moist meatloaf without eggs. Their binding power is minimal, particularly when the appropriate ratio of liquid and breadcrumbs are used, and the protein and fat can easily be replaced.
What can I substitute for eggs in meatloaf?
The way I see it, you have two perfectly good options to choose from. Let me explain the pros and cons of each egg substitute.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese - This is my favorite binding agent substitute. This is a great choice because it replaces the lost fat, protein, and moisture from the eggs. Plus it adds flavor.
- Nothing - This is the easiest option. Most any homemade meatloaf recipe will still turn out exceptional if the recipe creator used the proper amount of breadcrumbs and liquid. Eggs can be eliminated from the recipe and you will likely never know.
Ingredients Needed for this Meatloaf Recipe
- Ground beef - I recommend 85/15 lean ground beef, but anything between 80% and 90% lean will work. Avoid anything fattier or the eggless meatloaf will be too greasy. Anything leaner will be really dry.
- Breadcrumbs - Plain bread crumbs work best, but Panko can also be used.
- Milk - Beef broth can be substituted.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Onion - Yellow onion or sweet onion is recommended.
- Garlic clove - Garlic powder can be substituted.
- Ketchup
- Dijon mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper
Meatloaf Glaze Ingredients
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Balsamic Vinegar
How to make it
Crumble the ground meat into a large mixing bowl. Smaller crumbles are best because it will make it easier to combine with the remaining ingredients. Add breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the bowl as well. Using clean hands, combine the mixture thoroughly, as shown.
Prepare the simple sauce for your meatloaf in the same way. In a small bowl combine together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Balsamic vinegar until well blended.
Next, line a bread loaf pan with aluminum foil. This not only helps prevent the meatloaf from sticking, but it also makes removing the meatloaf WAY easier since you can just lift the foil out. Add a smear of sauce to the bottom of the pan then add the meat mixture into the pan and firmly press to fill the crevices evenly. Finally, add all of the remaining sauce to the top of the raw meatloaf.
Place it in a 350-degree oven for one hour. Meatloaf is done when it reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit when tested with a meat thermometer. Let the meatloaf rest briefly, then slice and serve.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can make the meatloaf in advance and freeze the raw mixture until you are ready to make it. Simply remove it from the freezer, giving it plenty of time to thaw out in the refrigerator. Then proceed to bake it.
What to serve with meatloaf
Round out this comforting family dinner with any of these mouthwatering side dishes.
Meatloaf Leftovers
Leftover meatloaf should be placed in an airtight container, or wrapped in plastic wrap, and stored in the refrigerator. To reheat it the next day, first cut it into individual slices then reheat in the microwave, oven, or stovetop until heated through. Personally, I like reheating them on the stovetop and then making leftover meatloaf sandwiches!
Tip: If you do not slice the meatloaf prior to reheating it will be hard to reheat it evenly due to the thickness of the loaf.
Meatloaf without eggs
Equipment
- Bread loaf pan
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (85/15 beef recommended)*
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Meatloaf Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Crumble your ground beef into a large bowl and add breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, ketchup, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well to combine all of the meatloaf ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the meatloaf glaze by mixing together the ketchup, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
- Line a bread loaf pan with aluminum foil and smear approximately two tablespoons of meatloaf glaze on the bottom to help prevent sticking. Then add the meat mixture into the pan, pressing firmly to fill the pan evenly.
- Paint the top of the meatloaf mixture with the remaining glaze.
- Place meatloaf in the oven for one hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
- Remove from the oven, and let cool slightly, then slice and serve.
Jennifer
I made this and really liked it. I'm a little weird about the texture of onions so next time I might use onion flakes but will put on my list of good recipes. Thanks for posting this eggless recipe.
Shari Kerlikowske
Can I use oatmeal in place of breadcrumbs? How about crushed Ritz crackers?
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes, both would work great as substitutions.
Denise
Looking forward to trying this recipe but I'm lactose intolerant. I use lactose free milk, but can I leave the cheese out? Do I need to adjust the breadcrumbs and/or milk? Thanks!
Kyra
My whole house smells so good. My son hates everything and he came from his room asking what smelled so good. This is definitely going to be our go to recipe
Tonya
Can you use ground turkey instead of beef?
Lee Gordon
I made this last night and it is the BEST meatloaf I ever made! Delicious, moist and stayed together fine without egg.
Luci
This sounds amazing, I just used the last of my eggs in my son’s birthday cake, so I needed an eggless recipe.
Stacey
What can you use if you dnt have honey dzion mustard
Fox Valley Foodie
Use a brown mustard instead.
Nicole
My husband says it's the best he's ever had and meatloaf is his favorite. However, he married a woman allergic to eggs. The Parmesan works amazingly and I have used it in other recipes. Great binder with the breadcrumbs.
Denise
Great Receipe!! easy to make.
JBags411
I just tried this recipe tonight, I didn't have all the ingredients but I decided to experiment with what I did have handy. Shredded 5 cheese blend instead of Parmesan, 1 tbsp of garlic powder instead of a clove of garlic, and sweet BBQ sauce in place of Worcestershire sauce and also as the glaze... Turned out beautifully and the recipe was right that you can't tell there aren't any eggs. Thanks!
Amanda
No eggs last minute "what to do with pound an a half of ground beef moment" turned out great. Very tasty, loved the sauce! Thanks
Melissa Mairose
Excellent meatloaf I will make it again. I didn't have eggs on hand so my family & I tried this and fell in love. Thank You.
Debbie
Love this recipe! Thank you, not sure how to subscribe!
Kelita Miles
Turned out Amazing Thanks so much!Yumm
Walter Dixon
Quick, easy and very tasty recipe. Thanks very much.