Classic meatloaf just got a makeover: this flavorful juicy meatloaf is made gluten-free, egg-free, and AIP- and paleo-compliant! It has a tasty AIP BBQ Sauce glaze that is a favorite with kids and adults. This AIP meatloaf is a great easy weeknight recipe because you can prepare it and place it in the oven in under 15 minutes!
Gluten-free, egg-free meatloaf
Traditional meatloaf recipes contain eggs, wheat, and sometimes even dairy, all of which can cause an inflammatory response and gut issues and are not compliant with the AIP diet. But my meatloaf is made without all of those fillers. It has a little bit of coconut flour to help bind it together, and the rest of the ingredients are flavorful additions: fresh onion and garlic, AIP BBQ Sauce, and Italian seasoning.
The result is a juicy, flavorful meatloaf that makes a great high-protein addition to your dinner! Ground beef is a great source of amino acids and protein, which are needed to build and repair muscle tissues. It also contains vitamins B-6 and B-12, zinc, riboflavin, and niacin, which help promote a healthy immune system, digestive system, and nervous system. Red meat also contains iron, which is important for healthy blood cells.
This recipe uses 85% lean ground beef, which has enough fat to give the meatloaf lots of flavor, but not so much that it is greasy. Make sure to get organic, grass-fed and grass-finished beef that is antibiotic- and hormone-free to get the most health benefits.
How to make meatloaf
Making meatloaf is very easy, which is why it makes a great weeknight meal! You simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Then place in a loaf pan that is lined with parchment paper and brushed with oil. Bake at 45 degrees, then brush with an AIP BBQ glaze and bake again for just a few minutes.
AIP BBQ Sauce glaze
For this recipe, I used the same AIP BBQ Sauce recipe that I used in this AIP BBQ Chicken Flatbread. I added a little of the BBQ into the meatloaf mixture to make it juicy and flavorful, and then I turned some of the BBQ sauce into a zesty glaze by adding just a little bit of apple cider vinegar and honey to the sauce.
Brush this BBQ sauce glaze onto the meatloaf after 45 minutes of baking, then bake for another 10-15 minutes. The glaze will thicken and make a delicious sticky-sweet topping for the meatloaf.
Serving meatloaf and leftovers
Meatloaf needs to cool down for a few minutes before slicing into it, otherwise it will fall apart as you’re slicing it.
Once it’s sliced, this meatloaf is delicious served over cauliflower rice or mashed sweet potatoes. Make sure to spoon the juices from the pan over the meatloaf for extra flavor.
This meatloaf recipe reheats really well and makes great leftovers. I recommend slicing the meatloaf once it cools down before putting it in the refrigerator, so it is ready to reheat and serve. You can also crumble up leftover meatloaf and use it as an AIP pizzette topping, or for beef and onion cauliflower rice.
More AIP recipes with ground beef
AIP Meatloaf with BBQ Glaze
Course:
Servings
8 servings
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Ingredients
For the meatloaf
- 2 lb 908.00 g 85% organic grass-fed ground beef
- 1 white onion large
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup 120.00 ml coconut flour
- 1/4 cup 60.00 ml AIP BBQ Sauce
- 2 tbsp 29.57 ml Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp 4.93 ml sea salt to taste
- 1 tsp 4.93 ml ground black pepper to taste
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup 120.00 ml AIP BBQ Sauce
- 2 tsp 9.86 ml raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp 14.79 ml honey to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and brush or spray with melted coconut oil.
- Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic, or pulse them in a food processor until finely diced.
- Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl and mix until thoroughly combined, but do not over mix.
- Place the ground beef mixture in the prepared loaf pan and use your hands to shape into a loaf, pressing down gently to spread the mixture into every corner.
- Bake at 375F for 45 minutes.
- Combine the ingredients for the meatloaf glaze in a small bowl and mix well. Brush or spoon the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and place back into the oven for 10 minutes, or until the meatloaf is fully cooked and reaches 165F in the center.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool down for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, spooning the juices from the pan over the meatloaf.