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    Gluten Free Slow Cooker Meatloaf

    Modified: Aug 25, 2026 · Published: Jan 6, 2024 by smallfarmbiglife · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This gluten free slow cooker meatloaf is a great gluten free main dish for those following a celiac safe diet or simply wanting a comforting meal. The slow cooker brings out the best flavors, and the ground beef mixture is packed with savory seasonings, making it a delicious choice for family dinner.

    gluten free slow cooker meatloaf in a black crockpot with three white plates of meatloaf next to it

    This is the best meatloaf for anyone craving a moist, hearty meal without gluten, and it's so simple to prepare.

    With this easy meatloaf recipe, you can enjoy a delicious, comforting dinner that fits right into your gluten free lifestyle.

    If you are looking for more beef recipes try my Easy Ground Beef Nacho Casserole, my Gluten Free Ground Beef Pasta Casserole, my Gluten Free Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole or my Gluten Free Enchilada Skillet.

    You can find all of my meal recipes here: Gluten Free Meal Recipes

    gluten free slow cooker meatloaf on white plates
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Tips for Easy Removal
    • Storage and Freezing
    • Top Tip
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Didn't find the answer you're looking for?
    • Slow Cooker Meatloaf Supplies
    • More Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • Gluten Free Slow Cooker Meatloaf
    • Slow Cooker Meatloaf Ingredients
    • Instructions

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • It's hands off, the crockpot does the work
    • Moist, flavorful results every time
    • Simple pantry ingredients
    • Great for leftovers and meal prep

    Ingredient Notes

    • The parmesan cheese and egg help bind the meatloaf together, while the bread crumbs (or rice crumbs, if you prefer) soak up moisture and keep it from becoming dense.
    • Mix the ingredients just until combined, overmixing can make the meatloaf tough instead of tender.

    Tips for Easy Removal

    You may see other recipes suggest lining your slow cooker with a foil sling to lift the meatloaf out easily. I don't recommend that here, since this recipe includes tomato paste in the mixture and a ketchup topping (both acidic and salty) and prolonged contact with foil can cause aluminum to leach into food.

    Instead, lightly grease your slow cooker insert with a little oil before adding the meatloaf. Thanks to the natural juices released during cooking, the meatloaf should lift out on its own once it's done without a liner needed.

    Storage and Freezing

    Let the meatloaf cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the meatloaf and cover with a very wet paper towel before microwaving, this helps keep it from drying out.

    To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

    Top Tip

    I finely chop the onion and then mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl with my hands. You want to get the dry ingredients and wet ingredients mixed together really well.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I keep the bottom of my meatloaf from burning?

    If you use ground beef that is too lean there may not be enough fat in the meat to keep it from burning. You will either need to use a less lean meat or pour some olive oil on the bottom of the slow cooker dish prior to adding your meatloaf mixture.

    How long does a 2 to 3 pound meatloaf take to cook?

    It will typically take 3 to 4 hours on the low setting. You will want to check your meatloaf at the 2 ½ hour mark to determine how much longer it will need to cook. This will depend on your slow cooker and the thickness of your meatloaf.

    You will want the internal temperature of your completely cooked beef meatloaf to be 170 degrees.

    Can I prepare this meatloaf a day ahead of time?

    Yes. You can prepare this gluten free slow cooker meatloaf the day before and then after it has cooled store it in our refrigerator. My husband actually prefers day old meatloaf to fresh. He likes it reheated or cold on a sandwich.

    To reheat you can microwave the meatloaf. Sprinkle some water over the meatloaf and then place a very wet paper towel over the meatloaf before heating. This will keep your meatloaf from drying out while you are reheating it.

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    Slow Cooker Meatloaf Supplies

    More Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • Easy Ground Beef Nacho Casserole
    • 10 Easy Gluten Free Beef Recipes
    • 20+ Gluten Free Comfort Dishes to Make When the Weather is Cold
    • Gluten Free Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

    I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!

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    Gluten Free Slow Cooker Meatloaf


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    • Author: Elaine VanVleck
    • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
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    Description

    This gluten free slow cooker meatloaf is moist, flavorful, and comes together with simple pantry ingredients. The crockpot does all the work, so there's no need to babysit the oven. Top with ketchup and serve for an easy, comforting dinner.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 3 pounds Ground Beef
    • 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped
    • 2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
    • ½ cup Gluten Free Bread Crumbs
    • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
    • 2 large Eggs
    • 4 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
    • 1 tsp. Sea Salt
    • 2 tsp. Dried Basil
    • 1 tsp. Coarse Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 tsp. Dried Oregano
    • 2 tsp. Dried Parsley
    • ½ cup Ketchup

    Instructions

    In a large mixing bowl mix together the ground beef, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, tomato paste, salt, basil, pepper, oregano and parsley until all the ingredients are combined. I use my hands to mix the ingredients together, but you could use a large spoon.

    Place the ground beef mixture in the pan of your slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

    At 2 ½ hours check the temperature of the meatloaf using a meat thermometer. The finished meatloaf needs to be at least 170 degrees. Cooking time will vary by slow cooker type and size.

    When the meatloaf is done spread the ketchup over the top before serving.

    If you made this recipe please leave a star rating and comment below. It helps other readers find this recipe and means so much to me.

    Notes

    You can use either gluten free dried bread crumbs or rice crumbs. I like to use the dried rice crumbs from Trader Joe's.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 180 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Slow Cooker
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @smallfarmbiglife on Instagram and hashtag it #smallfarmbiglife

    I'd love to hear how this gluten free slow cooker meatloaf turns out for you! Leave a comment and star rating below, and let me know if you try it with a different glaze. Don't forget to pin this recipe so you can make it again on your next busy weeknight.

    Slow Cooker Meatloaf Ingredients

    • Ground Beef
    • Yellow Onion
    • Minced Garlic
    • Gluten Free Bread Crumbs
    • Parmesan Cheese
    • Eggs
    • Tomato Paste
    • Sea Salt
    • Dried Basil
    • Coarse Ground Black Pepper
    • Dried Oregano
    • Dried Parsley
    • Ketchup

    Instructions

    In a large mixing bowl mix together the ground beef, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, tomato paste, salt, basil, pepper, oregano and parsley until all the ingredients are combined. I use my hands to mix the ingredients together, but you could use a large spoon.

    Place the ground beef mixture in the pan of your slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

    At 2 ½ hours check the temperature of the meatloaf using a meat thermometer. The finished meatloaf needs to be at least 170 degrees. Cooking time will vary by slow cooker type and size.

    When the meatloaf is done spread the ketchup over the top before serving.

    More Gluten Free Recipes

    • Iced Mocha Protein Coffee
    • Gluten Free Funeral Potatoes
    • Gluten Free Banana Cream Pie
    • Gluten Free Slow Cooker Ranch Style Beans

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    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    I'm so glad you are here! I share easy gluten free recipes from my small farm in Washington.

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