Gluten Free Meatloaf (Oven or Instant Pot)

This post contains paid and/or affiliate links. Read full disclosure.
Jump to Recipe

This is the best gluten free meatloaf you’ll ever make. It’s a classic recipe I’ve been perfecting for years and can be made in the oven or Instant Pot!

2 slices of gluten free meatloaf on a plate next to the loaf pan on the table.

It’s super easy to make the gluten free version of my meatloaf recipe. And, it comes out amazing no matter whether you choose to pressure cook it in your Instant Pot or bake it or bake it in your oven.

While I personally prefer to make meatloaf with gluten free breadcrumbs, it can also be made with rolled oats or rice. It’s delicious no matter which option you choose.

I love how it’s a very versatile dinner that’s kid friendly too. My whole family enjoys it, so it’s on regular rotation in our meal plans.

Meatloaf Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅔ cup of diced onion
  • ½ cup of diced bell pepper
  • 2 cloves of minced garlic
  • 2 pounds of ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup of gluten free breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup of ketchup
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon of sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons of whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

Glaze Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup of ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons of raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon of mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon of tabasco

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Frying pan
  • Loaf pan
  • Silicone spatula

By the Numbers: How to Make the Best Gluten Free Meatloaf

Follow these simple step by step instructions to learn how to make the best meatloaf in your Instant Pot or oven.

Meatloaf Prep Directions

You’ll follow these 3 steps, no matter which cooking method you choose to use.

Step 1: Cook Veggies

Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to a small frying pan. Cook ⅔ cup of diced onion, ½ cup of diced bell pepper and 2 cloves of minced garlic in the oil just until the veggies are softened. Once they’re cooked, transfer them to a large mixing bowl and allow them to cool down.

Sauteed green bell pepper, onion and garlic in a small stainless steel frying pan.

Step 2: Mix Meatloaf Ingredients

Once cool, add 2 pounds of ground beef; 2 eggs; ¾ cup of gluten free breadcrumbs; ½ cup of ketchup; 1 ½ tablespoons of Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon of sea salt; 2 tablespoons of whole milk; and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the bowl and mix well using your hands. You want to make sure everything is evenly combined.

Gluten free meatloaf mixture well combined in glass mixing bowl.

Step 3: Prepare Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together ⅔ cup of ketchup; 2 tablespoons of raw honey; 1 teaspoon of mustard; and ¼ teaspoon of tabasco. Once it’s well combined, set it aside.

Meatloaf glaze being whisked in small glass bowl.

Oven Cooking Directions

If you want to bake your meatloaf in the oven, follow these cooking instructions.

Step 1: Press Meatloaf Into Pan

Preheat your oven to 375° F. While the oven is pre-heating, press your meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan. You can use a silicone spatula to smooth out the top.

Gluten free meatloaf mixture pressed into loaf pan, ready to bake.

Step 2: Bake Meatloaf

Place the meatloaf pan in your oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then remove from the oven so you can add the glaze.

Gluten free meatloaf in loaf pan, half way through baking time.

Step 3: Glaze Meatloaf

Pour the glaze you prepared earlier over the top of the meatloaf, making sure to cover it evenly.

Glaze spread over gluten free meatloaf that has been baked for 30 minutes already.

Step 4: Bake Meatloaf Again

Once you’re done glazing it, put the meatloaf pan back into your oven for another 20-30 minutes. It’s done when the glaze is bubbling and the meatloaf is cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F.

Fully baked gluten free meatloaf cooling on cutting board.

Step 5: Serve Classic Meatloaf

Once it’s done, you can slice your meatloaf and serve it with your favorite side dishes. See below for some of my family’s favorite sides to eat with meatloaf.

Two slices of gluten free meatloaf on a square white plate, topped with chopped parsely.

Instant Pot Cooking Directions

If you want to pressure cook your meatloaf in your Instant Pot, follow these cooking instructions.

Step 1: Press Meatloaf Into Pan

Press your meat mixture into a pan that fits into your Instant Pot. I personally use a 9” cake pan but anything that fits will work. You can line it with foil or parchment paper, but it’s not necessary.

Meatloaf mixture pressed into cake pan, ready to put in Instant Pot.

Step 2: Glaze Meatloaf and Transfer to Instant Pot

Spread the glaze you made evenly over the top of the meatloaf, then put your pan into a silicone sling (or foil sleeve) and lower it carefully down into your Instant Pot. You don’t need the rack if you use a silicone sleeve, but you will if you use a foil sleeve.

Meatloaf mixture in cake pan lowered into Instant Pot inner pan with red silicone sling.

Step 3: Pressure Cook Meatloaf and Serve

Press the Pressure Cook button and set it on High Pressure for 30 minutes. When the cook time is up, allow for a full natural pressure release. Open the lid and remove the sling and pan from the Instant Pot. Slice the meatloaf and serve it along with your favorite side dishes. I share some of our favorite sides below.

Instant Pot meatloaf resting on white serving plate with one slice removed.

INSTANT POT

QUICK START GUIDE

Finger pressing button on Instant Pot.

Delivered right into your inbox.

Tips to help you get started today

Free

Tips for Making Gluten Free Meatloaf

Answers to all of your questions about making one of my favorite comfort foods … classic meatloaf.

How to make spicy gluten free meatloaf

To make your meatloaf spicy, add diced jalapeno to the bell pepper and onion combination. Then add 1-2 teaspoons of tabasco hot sauce to the glaze mixture and you’ll have a delicious spicy gluten free meatloaf.

Best gluten free breadcrumbs

I like these Michelle Farms Italian Bread Crumbs. They’re certified gluten free and you can get them in plain or Italian flavors.

You can also make your own bread crumbs with homemade gluten free bread.

Make gluten free meatloaf without bread crumbs

You can also make gluten free meatloaf with GF oats or rice. Oatmeal will make a denser meatloaf like breadcrumbs and rice will make a lighter, fluffier loaf. I don’t recommend using almond flour or coconut flour in meatloaf.

Make gluten free meatloaf muffins

Yes, to make individual portions, you can use a muffin pan, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Cook the meatloaf mixture at 350° F for 25 minutes or done.

What temperature should meatloaf reach?

Meatloaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F.

Make it dairy free

All you have to do is substitute your favorite non-dairy milk for the milk in this recipe and it’s dairy free.

Do the veggies have to be sautéed?

It’s not absolutely necessary, but it really adds to the flavor of the meat loaf. I always sauté them unless I’m very short on time.

How to make gluten free bread crumbs from gluten free bread

Just let your gluten free bread dry out, then grind it down into crumbs. You can use a mortar and pestle, blender, food processor or coffee grinder.

Best ground beef

While I love the quality of the meat from ButcherBox (read my ButcherBox review), I find that if you use ground beef with extra fat for this recipe, you’ll get a more moist and flavorful final result compared to using grass fed, lean ground beef.

One place you can buy ground beef that makes a moist meatloaf is Perdue Farms (they usually have specials on multiple brands of meat). Or check out my list of the places I like to order meat delivery.

Use another type of ground meat

While I prefer ground beef, you can use other types of ground meat:

  • Ground pork will make greasier meat loaf.
  • Ground turkey or ground chicken will make a drier loaf.
  • Ground lamb will make a nice, tender loaf.

Make a traditional loaf shape in the Instant Pot

There are mini loaf pans that fit into the Instant Pot. However, you will get smaller loaves and end up with 2 pans to wash instead of 1, which is why I typically use a cake pan.

Sides to serve with meatloaf

Some of my favorite side dish recipes to serve with this gluten free meatloaf are:

Storage and leftover tips

We rarely have leftovers, but when we do, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I typically reheat it in the toaster oven for lunch and add a little extra ketchup for moisture. It’s also delicious in a meatloaf sandwich the next day!

Close up of two slices of gluten free meatloaf topped with chopped parsley on a white plate.

Gluten-Free Meatloaf Recipe

Gluten-free meatloaf is a delicious dinner the whole family will love. This homemade meatloaf recipe is easy to make in the Instant Pot or oven.
4.19 from 71 votes
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Servings: 6

Ingredients

Meatloaf Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup gluten free breadcrumbs
  • cup onion - diced
  • ½ cup bell pepper - diced
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Glaze Ingredients

  • cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon tabasco - optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Frying pan
  • Loaf pan
  • Silicone spatula

Instructions

Meatloaf Directions

  • Cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic in olive oil in a small frying pan until softened, then transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool.
    Sauteed green bell pepper, onion and garlic in a small stainless steel frying pan.
  • Once cool, add the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs and spices to the bowl and mix with your hands until it's well combined
    Gluten free meatloaf mixture well combined in glass mixing bowl.
  • Whisk together the glaze ingredients, then set aside.
    Meatloaf glaze being whisked in small glass bowl.

Oven Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375° F. Press the meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan.
    Gluten free meatloaf mixture pressed into loaf pan, ready to bake.
  • Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, then remove from the oven.
    Gluten free meatloaf in loaf pan, half way through baking time.
  • Pour the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
    Glaze spread over gluten free meatloaf that has been baked for 30 minutes already.
  • Bake the meatloaf for another 20-30 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and the meatloaf is cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F.
    Fully baked gluten free meatloaf cooling on cutting board.
  • Slice and serve with your favorite sides.
    Two slices of gluten free meatloaf on a square white plate, topped with chopped parsely.

Instant Pot Directions

  • Press your meat mixture into a pan that fits into your Instant Pot.
    Meatloaf mixture pressed into cake pan, ready to put in Instant Pot.
  • Spread the glaze evenly over the meatloaf, then put the pan into a silicone sling and lower it into your Instant Pot.
    Meatloaf mixture in cake pan lowered into Instant Pot inner pan with red silicone sling.
  • Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes then allow the pressure to release naturally. Open the lid and remove the pan from the pot. Slice the meatloaf and serve with your favorite sides.
    Instant Pot meatloaf resting on white serving plate with one slice removed.

Nutrition Information Per Serving

Calories: 561kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 767mg | Potassium: 667mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 739IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 4mg

More Gluten Free Dinner Ideas

Instant Pot Quick Start Guide

Email series to help you start using your Instant Pot today!

Finger pressing button on Instant Pot.

2 thoughts on “Gluten Free Meatloaf (Oven or Instant Pot)”

  1. Followed the recipe as written for measurements. Used home made bread crumbs. Aded just a smidge more garlic to the meat and a few extra dashes of Tabasco to the glaze.
    Moist, delicious and hearty. No one knew it was gluten free 🤫

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating