Here’s a solid Cracker Barrel–style meatloaf copycat recipe—moist, slightly sweet, and topped with that classic tangy glaze.
🍽️ Cracker Barrel Meatloaf (Copycat)
🥩 Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1½ lb ground beef (80/20 works best)
- 1 cup finely crushed Ritz crackers (or saltines)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup minced onion
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Glaze:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp mustard
🔥 Instructions
1. Preheat
Set oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix meatloaf
In a large bowl, combine:
- beef, crackers, cheese, onion, eggs, milk, salt, and pepper
Mix gently—don’t overwork it or it gets dense.
3. Shape & bake
- Press into a loaf pan or shape on a baking sheet
- Bake for 30 minutes
4. Add glaze
Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
Spread over the meatloaf.
Bake another 30–40 minutes, until fully cooked (internal temp ~160°F / 71°C).
5. Rest & serve
Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing so it stays juicy.
🍯 What makes it “Cracker Barrel style”
The signature taste comes from:
- Slight sweetness in the glaze
- Cheddar cheese inside
- Moist texture from milk + crackers
🍴 Serve it with:
- mashed potatoes
- green beans
- biscuits
🏪 About Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is a U.S. restaurant chain known for Southern-style comfort food, including meatloaf, biscuits, and country breakfasts.
If you want, I can also give you their fried apples, hashbrown casserole, or biscuits copycat recipes—those are even more iconic than the meatloaf.
