After years of recipe testing, this is the best paleo and keto meatloaf recipe ever! It's wrapped in bacon, has a ketchup gravy and is gluten-free, paleo, nut-free, and can even be made egg-free too!
Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free, And Keto Meatloaf
Let me start by saying that my husband loves - and I mean loves- meatloaf! Everywhere we go he orders (and judges) a restaurant based on its meatloaf.
I don't know why he does this though, because everywhere we go he is disappointed in their meatloaf saying that it's not as good as his grandma's.
So when we were first married I tried to make his grandma's recipe for him and it still wasn't the same! Needless to say, perfecting an allergy-friendly meatloaf that got his seal of approval wouldn't be an easy task!
So I was really excited that, after years of recipe testing, this Bacon-Wrapped Keto Meatloaf Recipe finally got his seal of approval with 2 thumbs up - YAAAAAY!!!!
If you think you don't like meatloaf, give this one a try. I think you just might change your mind 🙂
Can meatloaf be made egg-free?
Yes, it can! To replace the 4 eggs, I've found the best egg replacement is a combination of 2 flax eggs and applesauce.
I've tried using only flax eggs and only applesauce, but it doesn't turn out the same. You need to use a combination of the two for the meatloaf to hold together properly.
Also, I've tried mixing and matching eggs with the egg replacements (such as 2 eggs with either flax eggs or applesauce) and I didn't like the results of that either.
I recommend either using the 4 eggs or using the egg replacements, not a combination of the two.
? Easy instructions
If you're making the egg-free version, you'll start by making the "flax eggs". Mix 4 Tbsp. of ground flax seeds with 6 Tbsp. of warm water and set it aside to thicken.
Meanwhile, add the beef, nutritional yeast (gives it a cheesy flavor, similar to adding Parmesan cheese), coconut flour (don't worry, there's NO coconut taste!), parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and non-dairy milk.
Then, either add the 4 large eggs or the flax mixture along with some applesauce.
Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon.
Then form the meat mixture into a loaf on a greased broiler pan so the fat from the bacon drains off. I like to line the bottom of the pan with foil for easy cleanup.
Don't make the loaf too tall or it will take forever to cook through, 2 to 2 1/2 inches tall is about right.
If you don't have a broiler pan, simply place a greased cooling rack inside of a large baking sheet.
Now, lay the bacon slices over the top, tucking the edges under the meatloaf.
In a clean bowl, mix together 1 1/2 C of allergy-friendly ketchup (I love Primal Kitchen and Tessamae's, both are Keto & Whole30) and 1 Tbsp. of mustard.
If you're not doing a whole30, you can add 6 Tbsp of coconut palm sugar or Swerve for Keto. However, this is totally optional.
Then, spread 1/3 of the mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Add another 1/3 of the sauce over the meatloaf and bake an additional 25-35 minutes or until cooked through.
Serve with the remaining sauce, DE-LISH!!!
? Top tips for perfect bacon-wrapped keto meatloaf
- The broiler pan is a must because the fat from the bacon needs to drain. If you don't have a broiler pan, place a folded cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Don't make the meatloaf too thick or it will take forever to cook through. 2 to 2 1/2 inches is about right.
- For egg-free, use 2 "flax eggs" and 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce instead of the 4 eggs. For the flax eggs, combine 3 Tbsp of ground flax seeds with 6 Tbsp of hot water. Set aside for 3 to 5 minutes before using it.
- I recommend either using the 4 eggs or using the egg replacements, not a combination of the two.
- While the nutritional yeast is optional, it adds a cheesy taste similar to Parmesan Cheese and is recommended. Nutritional yeast is found at most health food stores either on the spice aisle or in the supplement section.
Looking for more delicious Keto dinner recipes? Check out my Cilantro Lime Chicken With Avocado Salsa, Instant Pot Pulled Pork, and this Keto Steak Marinade from Kicking Carbs!
If you’ve tried this Bacon-Wrapped Keto Meatloaf or any other recipe on the blog please let me know in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Keto Meatloaf {Paleo, Whole30, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free}
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef
- 1 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp. Paprika
- 1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1/8 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 3 Tbsp. Coconut Flour
- 3 Tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
- 1/4 cup Flat-Leaf Parsley minced
- 1 Tbsp. Non-Dairy Milk
- 4 large Eggs
- 8 - 10 Slices Nitrate Free, Sugar-Free Bacon
Sauce:
- 1 1/2 C Primal Kitchen Ketchup Tessamae's ketchup, or sugar-free ketchup of choice
- 1 Tbsp. Prepared Yellow Mustard
- 6 Tbsp. Swerve Sweetener Lakanto, or coconut palm sugar (or to taste, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom part of a broiler pan with foil (for easy cleanup) and grease the top with oil, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, coconut flour, nutritional yeast, parsley, non-dairy milk, and eggs.
- Mix well with clean hands or a wooden spoon.
- Form the meat mixture into a loaf on the greased broiler pan, making it about 2 to 2 1/2 inches thick so it doesn't take too long to cook through.
- Lay bacon slices over the top, tucking the ends under the meatloaf.
- In a clean bowl, mix together all of the sauce ingredients. Be careful not to cross-contaminate the sauce with raw meat.
- Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the meatloaf and spread with a spoon.
- Bake 45 minutes.
- Then, spread another 1/3 of the remaining sauce over the meatloaf and cook an additional 25-35 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve with remaining sauce.
Notes
- Nutrition info is calculated using Heinz Sugar-Free Ketchup and no added sweetener in the sauce.
- The broiler pan is a must because the fat from the bacon needs to drain. If you don't have a broiler pan, place a folded cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Don't make the meatloaf too thick or it will take forever to cook through. 2 to 2 1/2 inches is about right.
- For egg-free, use 2 "flax eggs" and 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce instead of the 4 eggs. For the flax eggs, combine 3 Tbsp of ground flax seeds with 6 Tbsp of hot water. Set aside for 3 to 5 minutes before using it.
- I recommend either using the 4 eggs or using the egg replacements, not a combination of the two.
- While the nutritional yeast is optional, it adds a cheesy taste similar to Parmesan Cheese and is recommended. Nutritional yeast is found at most health food stores either on the spice aisle or in the supplement section.
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out these resources:
Loved this recipe. I made it exactly as written, next time I may add little bit more seasoning, cumin or oregano? Not sure but we loved it and will be adding to the "regular" recipes!
This was very good too!
Cassidy, we love your meatloaf recipe!
I have been struggling for a while to make a good grain free and egg free meatloaf...not easy! I had almost given up, but decided to give yours a try...it has great texture, is delicious and holds together beautifully!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much June, I'm happy you liked it!!
XO,
Cassidy
Cassidy, I am sure my family would love this. In fact, I don't know why I never thought to do it before. I'm highlight it for this week's carnival.
O thanks Linda!!!
XO,
Cassidy
Yep, my husband loves meatloaf too. And I've been wanting to try a grain free recipe. How could you go wrong wrapping it in bacon. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks. Pinned.
Thanks Barbara, I hope you like it as much as we do! ...and I agree, how can you go wrong if it's wrapped in bacon, really?