This Instant Pot Meatloaf makes a nostalgic classic stress-free. It’s a great addition to potlucks, holiday dinners, and any occasional gathering.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Instant Pot Meatloaf Recipe is a Keeper
This juicy meatloaf can be made in one pot and is a great recipe for any home cook. An easy twist on the classic meatloaf, this recipe uses lean ground beef and spices to make a great dinner recipe, right in the Instant Pot. Here are a few reasons why you’ll want to make meatloaf in an Instant Pot:
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for pressure cooker meatloaf can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Family Friendly: Instant pot meatloaf not only updates a classic simple recipe, but will bring back memories for the whole family.
- Adaptable: Adjust the ingredients in this 2lb meatloaf recipe to your tastes and dietary needs.
If you’re looking for more instant pot recipes, try these: Instant Pot Lasagna, Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken, and Instant Pot Gumbo.
How Do I Prevent my Instant Pot Meatloaf from Becoming Dry?
To make a tender meatloaf, add milk to your breadcrumbs, which will become absorbed as it cooks. When forming the meatloaf, make sure to work the mixture lightly and avoid over-working it.
Easy Meatloaf Instant Pot Meal Ingredients
- Saltines: Crush saltines to make the breading mixture.
- Ground Beef: You’ll need two pounds of lean ground beef to make the meatloaf.
- Ketchup: Use ketchup to make the base for the meatloaf glaze.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Instant Pot Meatloaf
- Ground Beef and Ground Pork: Try making this recipe with ground turkey instead of beef. You can also make this meatloaf with a combination of beef and pork. A mixture of ground beef and other meats will make this Instant Pot meal more flavorful than just a beef meatloaf.
- Vegetables: Add in some chopped vegetables to help with the moisture, such as onions or celery.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Meatloaf in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot: Making meatloaf has never been easier than with an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. An 8 quart Instant Pot or 6qt Instant Pot both work.
- Meat Thermometer: Use an instant read thermometer to make sure your meatloaf cooks to the right temperature.
Easy Meatloaf Pro Tip
Mixing the ingredients too much develops the gluten in the breadcrumbs, resulting in a tough meatloaf. Instead, gently combine the ingredients until just combined.
How to Make Meatloaf Using the Instant Pot
This instant pot meatloaf recipe is made with ground beef and goes great with baby potatoes. Finish the meatloaf with a homemade glaze and enjoy. Follow the steps below to see why Instant Pot meatloaf is one of our favorite dinner recipes, as it’s much better than frozen meatloaf and takes less time than usual.
These are the basic steps for making meatloaf in the pressure cooker. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Prepare the Meatloaf
Combine saltines, at least 1 cup parmesan cheese, milk, soy sauce, garlic, onion and House Seasoning Blend in a large bowl. Then, mix in ground beef. Place a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface and shape meat mixture into a loaf in the center of the foil. Fold the edges of the foil up to form a pan shape.
2. Cook the Meatloaf Mixture
Place the steam rack inside the pressure cooker; pour 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the pressure cooker. Add the meatloaf to the top of the steamer rack. Then, close and lock the lid to cook meatloaf, making sure to seal the vent. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes (it will take about 10-15 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure).
3. Release Pressure
Meanwhile, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard in a bowl, and preheat the oven broiler. When the meatloaf is cooked, use quick release to unlock the pressure release valve. Then, unlock and remove the lid.
4. Glaze the Meatloaf and Place it on a Baking Sheet
Test the temperature of the meatloaf; it should be 160 degrees. Then, carefully remove the meatloaf. Transfer the meatloaf in the foil pan to a rimmed baking sheet and brush the top of the meatloaf with the glaze mixture. Place the meatloaf under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, or until the glaze caramelizes. Remove meatloaf and serve.
Lean Ground Beef Meatloaf FAQs
Place meatloaf in a large piece of aluminum foil or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay good for up to 2 days. Reheat meatloaf in the oven until warmed through.
Yes; if you don’t have an Instant Pot, bake meatloaf in the oven for about 70-90 minutes at 375 degrees F.
Instant Pot meatloaf and mashed potatoes go great together. You can make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot with our easy recipe. You can also make roasted potatoes to serve with this easy meatloaf recipe.
Expert Tips for Making This Pressure Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
- Make Potatoes in the Instant Pot: Place the meatloaf on top of the potatoes and cook them at the same time. You can use Yukon Gold potatoes or little potatoes so they fit better in your pot.
- Try a Different Cracker: One easy way to switch up the flavor is to replace the saltines with another flavored cracker.
- Spice it Up: Make a Tex Mex version by adding taco spice to your meatloaf. You can also add a bit of brown sugar to the glaze.
- Bacon: Mix in some bacon bits to your meatloaf.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Instant Pot Meatloaf
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 35 Saltines, crushed
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup Milk
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic, grated
- 1 Small Onion, grated
- 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- ½ cup Water
GLAZE
- ¾ cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Dry Mustard
Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine saltines, parmesan cheese, milk, soy sauce, garlic, onion and House Seasoning Blend in a large bowl.
- Mix in ground beef.
- Place a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil on a flat surface.
- Shape meat mixture into a loaf in the center of the foil.
- Fold the edges of the foil up to form a pan shape.
- Place the steam rack inside the pressure cooker.
- Pour 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the pressure cooker.
- Add the meatloaf to the top of the steamer rack.
- Close and lock the lid, making sure to seal the vent.
- Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes (it will take about 10-15 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure).
- Meanwhile, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard in a bowl.
- Preheat the oven broiler.
- When the pressure cooker has finished cooking, use the quick release to release the pressure.
- Unlock and remove the lid.
- Test the temperature of the meatloaf, it should be 160 degrees.
- Transfer the meatloaf in the foil pan to a rimmed baking sheet.
- Brush the top of the meatloaf with the glaze mixture.
- Place 6 inches under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, or until the glaze caramelizes.
RECIPE NOTES:
- If the meatloaf did not reach 160 degrees in the pressure cooker, bake it at 400 degrees until it reaches 160.
Christina’s Notes
- Make Potatoes in the Instant Pot: Place the meatloaf on top of the potatoes and cook them at the same time. You can use Yukon Gold potatoes or little potatoes so they fit better in your pot.
- Try a Different Cracker: One easy way to switch up the flavor is to replace the saltines with another flavored cracker.
- Spice it Up: Make a Tex Mex version by adding taco spice to your meatloaf. You can also add a bit of brown sugar to the glaze.
- Bacon: Mix in some bacon bits to your meatloaf.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
How many eggs?
There are no eggs in this recipe.
I was wondering the same thing. There are eggs in the step by step pictures, so I was confused as well. Thanks for clarifying, but do you find it changes the moisture content without them and does the loaf stay together without them? I’ve always put eggs in, but perhaps that’s easily left out without impacting the taste/consistency.
I need to update the photos. My apologies.
Saving time with my Instant Pot is always a benefit. This recipe and the different variations sounds like a winner.
Still shows adding the eggs, but no eggs are in the ingredients list.
Thank you for letting me know!
I love this recipe and making meat loaf in my Instant Pot.
This is a fun meatloaf recipe to try. I love how you can change the crackers and cook this in an instant pot. How convenient! And it looks so moist.
Meatloaf is one meal my whole family will eat! Can’t wait to try it in the IP.
Meatloaf in under an hour?! YES, PLEASE! This looks amazing!