10 Best Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipes

There is something special about the meatloaf at Cracker Barrel. It is tender, savory, and topped with that sticky, sweet tomato glaze that feels like a hug from your grandmother. But you don’t need to drive to the “Old Country Store” to enjoy it.

We searched for the best copycat recipes from trusted food bloggers. We verified the ingredients, simplified the steps, and organized them so you can find your perfect match. Whether you want the classic version, a cheesy twist, or a lighter option, it is all here.

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1. The Classic Copycat

This recipe is the closest match to the original. It uses the famous “secret ingredient”—Ritz crackers. The buttery crackers replace dry breadcrumbs, making the meatloaf incredibly moist and tender.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 1 ½ lbs ground beef (chuck is best).
• The Binder: 2 eggs and 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers (crushed).
• The Veggies: ½ cup onion (diced) and ½ cup green bell pepper (diced).
• The Extras: 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese (grated) and ½ cup milk.
• The Glaze: ½ cup ketchup, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp yellow mustard.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the beef, eggs, crushed crackers, milk, cheese, and vegetables in a large bowl. Do not overmix, or it will be tough.
3. Shape it into a loaf and bake for 30 minutes.
4. Mix the glaze ingredients. Spread it over the meatloaf and bake for another 30 minutes until cooked through.

2. The “Sautéed Veggie” Method

If the first recipe felt a little too crunchy for you, try this one. The main difference is the texture. This chef sautés the onions and peppers before mixing them into the meat. This makes the loaf softer and sweeter.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs lean ground beef.
• The Binder: 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers, 2 eggs, and ½ cup milk.
• The Veggies: ½ cup yellow onion and ½ cup green bell pepper (finely diced).
• The Flavor: 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.

Instructions

1. Cook the onions and peppers in a pan with a little oil until they are soft (about 5 minutes). Let them cool.
2. Combine the cooled veggies with the beef, eggs, crackers, cheese, and milk.
3. Form a loaf and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
4. Add the glaze (ketchup, brown sugar, mustard) and bake for 30–40 more minutes.

3. The “Hidden Veggie” Trick

This recipe is perfect if you have picky eaters who hate seeing chunks of green pepper. Instead of dicing the vegetables, you grate them. They melt into the meatloaf, adding moisture without the visible texture.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 1 ½ lbs ground beef.
• The Veggies: ½ cup onion and ¼ cup green pepper (grated).
• The Binder: 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (crushed), 3 eggs, and ¼ cup milk.
• The Glaze: ½ cup ketchup, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp mustard, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

Instructions

1. Grate the onion and pepper using a cheese grater.
2. Mix all the meatloaf ingredients in a bowl.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.
4. Brush the glaze on top and bake for the final 15 minutes.

4. The Cheesy Lover’s Version

While the previous recipes use a standard amount of cheese, this one doubles it. It calls for 2 full cups of freshly shredded cheddar. If you want gooey, melted pockets of cheese in every bite, this is the one.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs lean ground beef.
• The Cheese: 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded from a block, not bagged).
• The Binder: 1 cup crushed butter crackers (like Ritz) and 2 eggs.
• The Liquid: ½ cup whole milk and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce.

Instructions

1. Mix the milk, eggs, cheese, crackers, and seasonings in a bowl first.
2. Add the beef and mix gently with your hands.
3. Press into a loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
4. Add the glaze and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

5. The “Biscuit Crumb” Secret

Some insiders claim that Cracker Barrel doesn’t just use crackers—they use leftover biscuits. This recipe swaps the Ritz crackers for grated biscuits or biscuit crumbs. It gives the meatloaf a fluffy, distinctively Southern texture.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs ground beef.
• The Binder: 2 cups biscuit crumbs (grate frozen biscuits or use leftovers).
• The Sauce: ½ can diced tomatoes (drained) and 1/4 cup ketchup.
• The Veggies: Onion and green pepper (diced).

Instructions

1. Crumble or grate the biscuits into fine crumbs.
2. Mix the beef, biscuit crumbs, tomatoes, veggies, and eggs.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
4. Top with extra ketchup 5 minutes before removing it from the oven.

6. The Saltine Classic

If you don’t have Ritz crackers or biscuits, this version uses Saltines. It is a more “Old School” approach. It also adds a heavy dose of dried herbs like thyme and basil, making it more savory than sweet.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 1 ½ lbs ground beef.
• The Binder: 1 cup crushed Saltine crackers and 2 eggs.
• The Herbs: ½ tsp each of dried thyme, parsley, and basil.
• The Liquid: ⅓ cup whole milk.

Instructions

1. Crush the Saltines into a fine powder using a ziplock bag.
2. Combine the beef, cracker dust, herbs, milk, eggs, and veggies.
3. Shape into a loaf and bake at 350°F (175°C).
4. Glaze with a mix of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard during the last 15 minutes.

7. The Smoky Paprika Twist

This recipe adds a subtle smoky flavor that mimics a wood-fired oven. It uses smoked paprika in the meat mix. It is a small change that adds a lot of depth to the flavor profile.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs lean ground beef.
• The Spice: 1 tsp smoked paprika (plus salt and pepper).
• The Binder: 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers, 2 eggs, and ⅓ cup milk.
• The Glaze: Ketchup, dark brown sugar, and mustard.

Instructions

1. Sauté the onions and peppers first for the best flavor.
2. Mix the beef with the smoked paprika, binder ingredients, and cooked veggies.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
4. Simmer the glaze in a saucepan to thicken it, then brush it over the meatloaf. Bake for 20 more minutes.

8. The Garlic Lover’s Loaf

While the traditional recipe relies on onions and peppers, this version adds a kick of garlic. It uses garlic salt and fresh minced garlic to cut through the richness of the meat and cheese.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs lean ground beef.
• The Garlic: ½ tsp garlic salt (or 2 cloves minced garlic).
• The Binder: 1 ½ sleeves Ritz crackers and 2 eggs.
• The Veggies: ½ sweet onion and ½ green pepper (diced).

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the beef, crushed crackers, cheese, milk, eggs, and garlic salt.
3. Bake for 30 minutes.
4. Apply the sweet glaze and bake until the meat is fully cooked.

9. The Quick & Easy

Sometimes you don’t have time to chop and sauté perfectly. This recipe is designed for speed. It uses simple measurements and gets you into the oven faster. It is perfect for a busy Tuesday night.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs lean ground beef.
• The Shortcut: 1 ½ sleeves Ritz crackers (roughly crushed by hand).
• The Veggies: Finely diced onion and green pepper.
• The Glaze: Ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.

Instructions

1. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl first.
2. Dump in all other ingredients (except the glaze) and mix by hand.
3. Form a loaf on a foil-lined sheet (easier cleanup than a pan).
4. Bake for 30 minutes, glaze, and bake for 30 more.

10. The “Lighter” Turkey Option

If you love the flavor of the Country Store but want to skip the red meat, this variation works perfectly. It swaps beef for ground turkey but keeps the Ritz crackers and cheese to maintain moisture.

Ingredients

• The Meat: 2 lbs ground turkey (93% lean).
• The Moisture: Increase milk to ¾ cup (turkey is drier than beef).
• The Binder: 1 ½ cups crushed Ritz crackers.
• The Veggies: Standard onion and green pepper mix.

Instructions

1. Sauté the veggies in olive oil so they are soft.
2. Mix gently with the turkey, cheese, eggs, and milk.
3. Pack the mixture gently into a loaf pan (turkey needs the pan to hold its shape).
4. Glaze liberally to keep the top moist and bake at 350°F (175°C) until it reaches 165°F.