Homemade Meatloaf Seasoning Recipe

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This 6 ingredient meatloaf seasoning recipe is the secret to the best tasting meatloaf. It mixes up easily using pantry staples and adds balanced flavor and seasoning to ground meat and is the same or better than any meatloaf seasoning packet you can buy in the store.

Spoonful of meatloaf seasoning over a cutting board.

Making homemade seasoning mixes is such a great idea!! Most spices and herbs only stay at maximum flavor for up to six months and for most of us, that is likely not enough time for us to use up an entire jar of spices.

When you make your own seasoning blends you are using up spices more quickly and saving yourself a little bit of money at the same time.

Homemade Spices for Meatloaf

This best meatloaf seasoning recipe was inspired by my other meatloaf recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing mashed potato casserole or this smoked green bean casserole recipe. Get lots more ideas of side dishes here in What to Serve with Meatloaf.

If you enjoy this seasoning for meatloaf you might also like this BBQ Meatloaf recipe or Cheesy Taco Meatloaf.

Ingredients

This easy seasoning mix for meatloaf is made using dried spices and herbs you likely already have in your cabinet and makes enough meatloaf spices to flavor two pounds of ground beef.

Italian seasoning
Salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Paprika
Pepper

See the recipe card further down on the page for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Instructions

This easy homemade spice blend is easy to make in one simple step and is all you need to season 2 pounds of ground beef for a great-tasting meatloaf.

Step 1: Mix Up the Spices

Add all the ingredients for the meatloaf spice mix to a small bowl and mix together with a spoon.

Step 2: Add to Meat

When you're ready to make your meatloaf, sprinkle the seasoning over the ground meat and use your hands to mix it into the meat. Then cook meatloaf using the desired method.

Hint: You can also make this bulk and use it to flavor meatloaf and burgers. Store it in an airtight jar in a cool dark place to keep it fresh for longer.

Substitutions

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips swapping out some of the ingredients when making homemade meatloaf seasoning.

Paprika - Swap out the paprika with smoked paprika instead. It will add a slightly smoky flavor to the meatloaf that is actually quite tasty.
Italian seasoning - Replace the two tablespoons of Italian seasoning with equal parts of basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Variations

Want to personalize the spices for meatloaf? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up the flavor.

Chipotle - Give your meatloaf a little smoky flavor and some heat by adding in ¼ teaspoon or more of chipotle chili powder.
Cajun - Swap out half of the Italian seasoning with cajun seasoning or blackening spices.
Garlicky - Add roasted fresh garlic in place of the garlic powder. You can add up to 1 full clove of roasted garlic for more intense roasted garlic flavor.

If you love recipes with fun and interesting ways to add flavor to food, you may also enjoy this homemade hot pepper sauce recipe.

Storage

If you can make this spice mix for meatloaf in advance and store it in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months depending on the freshness of the spices you use.

Close up of meatloaf seasoning mixed together.

More Ground Beef Recipes

Do you like cooking up ground beef for dinner? Here are some recipes you may also like to try

FAQ

Do you have questions about making homemade meatloaf seasoning? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

How do I make herb and spice mix for meatloaf in bulk?

Making this seasoning blend is a great idea to save time for future meals. The easiest way to do this is to use the 3x calculator in the recipe card which will calculate exactly how much of each ingredient you need. This will give you enough seasoning mix for up to 6 pounds of ground beef.

Why should I make meatloaf spice mix instead of buying it?

Making homemade seasoning blends is a great way to save a little money by using up spices you already have in your cabinet while they are still fresh and have more intense flavors. Spices won't last forever and over time, the intensity of their flavor fades so the more ways you can use them then the more quickly you will use them up.

Can I use meatloaf seasoning in other ways?

Yes, it makes an excellent way to add flavor to juicy hamburgers and as you can use it as a simple rub for pork, beef or chicken.