This low carb meatloaf is going to be a hit for the whole family. Made without breadcrumbs but with crushed pork rinds instead! This can be a gluten and dairy free recipe as well. Ground beef, pork rinds, seasoning, egg and sauces. Sweet, tangy, flavorful and delicious!
Why you will love this meatloaf recipe:
- low carb with options to make it even more keto friendly – (like using special sauces)
- it is sweet and savory
- Has approximately 32 grams of protein per serving!
How did I come up with this low carb meatloaf recipe?
Well, it all started with a bag of pork rinds that I needed to use up before they expired. (story of my life).
I nailed this recipe on the first try of making it. Probably because I have the “basics” of a good meatball/meatloaf recipe memorized and just made a few simple tweaks to keep this one lower carb. My kids couldn’t tell a difference between pork rinds and bread crumbs, either so it was a win for the whole family!
Ingredients in Low Carb Meatloaf
- lean ground beef
- large egg
- crushed pork rinds (flavored or unflavored is fine)
- BBQ sauce- I like Sweet Baby Rays but there are lower carb options out there too.
- minced garlic and minced onion
- salt & pepper
- worcestershire sauce
- parsley (optional)
Glaze:
- ketchup
- bbq sauce
- brown sugar
How to make Meatloaf with Pork Rinds
- Crush the rinds + whisk egg
First preheat your oven to 350 F. Then, add the rinds to a Ziploc bag and start crushing with your hands or with a rolling pin until they are fine. Measure out 1/2 cup. Crack and whisk the egg in a small bowl.
- Mix Ingredients
Add all the ingredients (minus the glaze ingredients) to a medium sized bowl and start mixing. You will likely have to mix with your hands.
Serious question – does anyone else always get tempted to taste test the raw meatloaf mix or is it just me? (I haven’t actually done it, but just wondering!) - Form the meatloaf
Once you have it mixed. Form with your hands into the size of a meatloaf. It does not have to be perfect– something about 8 inches x 4 inches. You can use a loaf pan but I really do not like to–it leaves nowhere for the grease to go!
I really recommend one of these broiler pans because the grease can get out of the way! - Bake and prep glaze
Bake the loaf uncovered on pan for 40 minutes at 350 F. Make the glaze in a small bowl while baking the meatloaf. Then, after baking, brush the glaze on top and bake another 20 minutes or until internal temp is a minimum of 165 F.
- Enjoy!
Let rest for about 10 minutes before cutting into and enjoy.
Substitutions and Variations
There are so many ways to make this low carb meatloaf recipe your own.
Protein: swap lean ground beef with ground turkey, venison, bison.
Pork Rinds: you could replace the crushed pork rinds with a keto breadcrumb or just regular breadcrumbs, oatmeal or rice Krispies. I have done many variations. Just be aware that the carb count will increase with most of these substitutions.
Sauces: use a low carb ketchup or BBQ sauce if you desire. You can also use any of your favorite sauces in place of the ones I have listed.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, the meatloaf can be gluten free. This will depend widely on what sauces you use because they can “hide” gluten in them so watch your ingredient list depending on brands.
Yes it is.
Traditional bread crumbs are too high in carbs to be considered a “low carb” option. This is why we are using pork rinds instead.
The egg helps with moisture. Using “fattier” meats like ground beef (or even adding some pork) will help with moisture. Ground turkey is so lean it will dry out easier.
Absolutely. Prepare the night before and store in fridge to bake the next day. This meatloaf also reheats and freezes well.
How to store low carb meatloaf
Storing Leftovers: let the meatloaf cool, and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Just warm in microwave to reheat.
Freezer: let the meatloaf cool and store in an airtight, freezer safe, container for up to 3 months in freezer. I prefer to add a bit of saran wrap loosely around each slice to help with quality. Then, thaw and warm in microwave.
What to pair with this comforting meatloaf
- I love cheesy potatoes or even mashed potatoes with cozy meatloaf, however, these are high in carbs!
- Our greek yogurt broccoli salad
- Simple Salad
If you love this easy recipe, try these!
We love ground beef recipes around here!
- Salisbury Steak Recipe with Gravy
- Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
- Mini Meatloaf Recipe
- Ground beef and egg noodles recipe
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I hope you enjoy this meatloaf with pork rinds just as much as I do! – Bobbi Jo
Easy Flavorful Low Carb Meatloaf
Equipment
- medium sized pan
- measuring utensils
- medium sized bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- 1/2 cup crushed pork rinds
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce any kind
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp minced onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp parsley optional
Glaze
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or sweetener of choice
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp bbq sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Crush pork rinds into crumbs. Use a small bowl to whisk egg and set aside.
- Dump the ground beef, crushed pork rinds, egg and spices into medium to large sized bowl. Mix well. Mixing with hands works best.
- Shape into appx 8 inch by 4 inch loaf and put on pan. I like a broiling pan so that the loaf isn't cooking in too much fat, but any sheet pan will work fine. Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes.
- Make the glaze in a small bowl while meat loaf is baking. Brush on the loaf top, then bake an additional 20 minutes or until internal temp is minimum of 165 F. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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I love the flavor of this meatloaf. It’s great that it is a lower carb/high protein option AND my whole fam enjoys it.