Baked Meatloaf Burgers are a delicious and different way to serve fresh made meatloaf or use up your leftovers. Formed into patties or sliced and baked, covered in barbecue sauce! Absolutely delicious! Use your favorite toppings and these will be a hit, every time!
This recipe was created by accident. What started out as a way to use up leftover meatloaf, has become a regular choice for dinner in our household.
My husband was the first one to take our leftover meatloaf, slice it, baste it with barbecue sauce and bake it. It was such a simple idea and absolutely delicious! I still can't believe how good it tastes!
Now, we actually make Baked Meatloaf Burgers or bake a meatloaf on purpose to cut up and make these sandwiches. We also, when time is an issue, make bun sized burgers using the meatloaf recipe and baste them as they cook! It takes a lot less time to bake the burgers than an entire meatloaf! Definitely just as tasty!
You can serve these Baked Meatloaf Burgers with any toppings you desire. We always add cheese when we toast the buns. I find the cheese prevents the buns from getting soggy and as much as I hate to admit it, I just love cheese!
My son loves to put red onion, feta cheese, pickles and some hot sauce on his Baked Meatloaf Burgers. I enjoy them with some extra barbecue sauce and my husband loves pickles and mustard. I can't wait to hear what your family puts on their burgers!
Ingredients for Baked Meatloaf Burgers
- ground beef, pork, chicken, turkey, sausage or any combination
- crumbs
- milk
- barbecue sauce or ketchup
- seasoning salt
- pepper
- egg
- onion
How to make Baked Meatloaf Burgers
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine meat, bread crumbs, milk, ketchup, seasoning salt, pepper, egg and diced onion.
Do not over mix.
Divide into 6 equal portions and form into burgers. I make the burgers the size of my buns!
Place on a rimmed baking sheet, covered in tinfoil and a rack lightly coated in cooking spray.
Brush burgers with ketchup or barbecue sauce. Use your meat thermometer to be sure your burgers are cooked
Between 25 and 30 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the kind of meat you are using.
Cooking note:
Instead of individual patties I have made one meatloaf shaped like a cylinder (the size of my buns).
Once cooked, usually between 60 and 75 minutes. I cut the loaf into individual "burgers".
Paint mixture on top of each slice and broil for a few minutes until sauce hardens or caramelizes. These taste fabulous also and are definitely worth a try.
Meatloaf Recipes to Try
Video
Meatloaf Burgers
Ingredients
Meatloaf Burgers
- 2 pounds ground beef 85/15 recommended
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs or panko
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 hamburger buns toasted
Glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
Optional Toppings
- 6 Colby Jack cheese slices
- lettuce tomatoes red onion, and dill pickles
- ketchup
- mustard
- barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a lightly greased, oven-safe wire rack on top. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let stand for 3-5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Mix the Burgers. Add the ground beef, ½ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce, seasoning salt, pepper, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic to the breadcrumb mixture. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape, Bake, and Glaze. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape into ¾-1-inch-thick patties, slightly wider than the buns. Press your thumb into the center of each patty to create a shallow indentation that helps prevent puffing. Arrange on the prepared rack, leaving space between them. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, then brush the tops with the remaining ¼ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce. Continue baking for 5-10 minutes, or until the centers reach 160°F (71°C).
- Add Toppings and Serve. If desired, add a slice of cheese during the final 1-2 minutes of baking. Let the burgers rest for 3-5 minutes, then serve on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and your favorite condiments, or enjoy without buns.
Video
Notes
- Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of a patty. Ground beef should reach 160°F.
- Finely dice the onion, include the egg and milk-soaked breadcrumbs, and avoid overmixing to help the patties hold together. If grilling, chill them for 15-30 minutes first.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place a lightly greased, oven-safe metal rack on top to keep the patties elevated and out of the grease.
Nutrition
Tory says
We’ve eaten these with bbq sauce and ketchup and both are wonderful. This recipe is a keeper. Thx for sharing My hubby loves these. His new favorite meal. We make it weekly. Take care Karin you’re doing a great job.
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for your kind words! This recipe is a favorite of my husband’s too. Take care. Karin
Sammi says
Our new favorite recipe. Best we’ve ever had. Company took recipe with them. We will be making them again. Love what soaking the crumbs did to the meatloaf. Wish I knew that trick sooner. Love your recipes. 💕
Karin and Ken says
Thank you. I try my best. You just made my day. All the best. Karin
Lou says
Absolutely delicious! Will definitely make again. Can’t believe how great they tasted with our favorite barbecue sauce. Will try with ketchup next time thx for sharing
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome! We make this recipe with ketchup and barbecue sauce and enjoy them both. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin
Rick Neumann says
ground pork or turkey works well, if you dont eat red meat. thx karin for the burger post!
Karin and Ken says
As always you are most welcome! So true! I do that myself and will add that to the post! Thank you! Take care and be well. Karin
Rick Neumann says
When I eat burgers, I call them Boootzburgers;-) One of my favorite toppings are thick slice of tomato and port wine cheese spread. I can eat port wine like yogurt!
Karin and Ken says
Port wine cheese spread sounds absolutely amazing! Thank you. If it is anything like your tomato butter I'm sure I will love it! Just ordered some. I'll let you know how it goes! Enjoy your day! Karin