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When it comes to Sunday suppers and Southern classics, soul food meatloaf holds its own on the table like a seasoned headliner! This ain’t your cafeteria mystery meat. Instead, this is moist, well-seasoned, ketchup-glazed goodness made the way Grandma did it. It’s the kind of comfort food that tastes like home and gives you a big, warm hug.

Loaded with savory herbs, tender ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and a just-right blend of soul food seasonings, this meatloaf brings bold flavor in every slice. Whether it’s served with creamy mashed potatoes, collard greens, or mac and cheese on the side, this dish is all about tradition, legacy, and that unbeatable “made with love” taste.

Black people meatloaf recipe

What makes Black folks’ meatloaf stand out? Simple: the flavor don’t play. We’re not out here making bland, dry meat bricks. This meatloaf is seasoned to the soul with garlic and onion powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce for a dash of heat, and a kiss of brown sugar in the ketchup glaze.

And let’s talk texture. Moist, tender, and juicy. No dry, crumbly slices here. The soul food version blends the ground beef with breadcrumbs and just enough egg to hold it together without overcomplicating things. It’s baked low and slow so it stays soft on the inside, with that caramelized glaze sealing in every drop of flavor.

Ingredients

At the heart of Black folks’ meatloaf is seasoned ground beef, 80/20 for the perfect balance of flavor and moisture. To hold everything together without drying it out, mix in breadcrumbs, milk, plus egg for binding. Then come the aromatics: garlic, finely chopped onion, and bell pepper, bringing texture and a hint of sweetness that deepens as the meatloaf bakes.

But what really sets it off? The seasoning. We’re talking onion powder, paprika, thyme, basil, parsley, seasoning salt, and black pepper. A generous drizzle of Worcestershire sauce adds depth of umami. In contrast, the ketchup-based glaze, with a touch of brown sugar, coats the top, caramelizing as it cooks. This combination creates a tender, juicy, flavor-packed meatloaf that doesn’t just fill you up. It feeds your soul!

How to make soul food meatloaf

Step-by-step instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview.

Preheat the oven and mix together the ketchup and brown sugar, then set the mixture aside.
Form a loaf by combining the remaining ingredients with the ground beef, then transfer the meatloaf to a pan.
Spread the prepared ketchup glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf, then bake for 1 hour, serve, and enjoy!

Short on time? Try my modernized Instant Pot meatloaf method, which retains all the flavor, soul, and tradition you love, in much less time!

Keeping meatloaf from falling apart

That won’t be a problem at all when you follow my recipe. It’s designed to hold together perfectly every time, and here’s why:

The main reason meatloaf falls apart is a lack of binding ingredients. Usually not enough breadcrumbs, milk, or eggs to hold everything together. With the right balance of these, your meatloaf will stay intact, slice beautifully, and still deliver that rich, savory flavor in every bite.

How to know meatloaf is done

There are a couple of reliable ways to tell when your meatloaf is done. The most accurate method is to use an instant-read thermometer. Once the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F, you’ll know the center is fully cooked.

You can also check visually by slicing into the middle, and if the meat is browned all the way through with no pink remaining, it’s ready to serve. While a thermometer gives the most precise reading, this simple slice-and-check method works just fine too.