• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Eating With Food Allergies
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Nutrition
  • Subscribe
  • Opt-out preferences
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Nutrition
  • Subscribe
  • Opt-out preferences
×
Home » Main Dishes

Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}

Published: Feb 28, 2022 · Updated: Feb 28, 2022 by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This eggless meatloaf will become a favorite on your meal rotation because it’s easy to make and cooks fairly quickly in your Instant Pot (but you can make it in the oven, too!) Plus, it's allergy-friendly and gluten free so everyone can enjoy it!

Eggless meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans
Jump to:
  • What can I use in place of eggs in meatloaf?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make eggless meatloaf
  • What to serve with eggless meatloaf
  • What to do with leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

My kids are both severely allergic to eggs in all forms, even baked into things. Of course, it’s common to have eggs baked into muffins, cookies, and cakes. But one dish you might not think of having eggs is meatloaf. 

Why, why, why do these things have eggs in them? 🤷‍♀️

Well, eggs have protein and fat that work as binders and add moisture to meatloaf. Does that mean egg free meatloaf is dry and crumbly? Absolutely not!

You can make meatloaf without eggs (and other common allergens like dairy, wheat/gluten, and soy) and you won’t even know the difference.

What can I use in place of eggs in meatloaf?

I have tried a few different egg substitutes in meatloaf including:

  • Flax “eggs” - 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of warm water.
  • Aquafaba - the brine or juice from a can of garbanzo beans.
  • Pureed vegetables or applesauce

The end result was fine but I wondered if a substitute was really needed so I tried omitting eggs and substitutes altogether. It turns out, you can make a delicious meatloaf without eggs (or an egg substitute!)

Ingredients

The ingredients needed for eggless meatloaf.
Ingredients needed for eggless meatloaf.
  • Ground turkey or beef - I have made this recipe using just ground turkey or mixing a pound of ground turkey with a pound of 80/20 ground beef. They both turn out great but the ground turkey meatloaf is a leaner option. It really comes down to your taste preference.
  • Rolled oats or gluten free breadcrumbs - I usually use the Good & Gather brand gluten free breadcrumbs from Target because they're easy to find and inexpensive. If you want to make this meatloaf without breadcrumbs, try using the same amount of rolled oats. Just be sure to use gluten free oats if you’re following a gluten free diet. And, if you don’t want to see whole oats in your meatloaf, you can put them in a food processor, chopper, or blender and pulse a few times to chop them up a little.
  • Ketchup - Most are free of the top 9 allergens and are gluten free but always check labels to make sure. Corn syrup is a common ingredient in ketchup but if you’re allergic to corn, you can find corn free ketchup like Simply Heinz. If you’re allergic to tomatoes, you can make your own ketchup or buy a tomato-free substitute.
  • Dijon mustard - if you have an allergy to mustard, this recipe will still taste good without the mustard so just omit it.
  • Minced garlic 
  • Dried onion flakes - you can use fresh onion finely chopped instead if you don’t have dried. I recommend substituting ½ cup raw onion.
  • Worcestershire sauce - This is a flavor enhancer that does contain fish (anchovies) so please omit it if you have a fish allergy. Also, it can contain soy and gluten. Read labels carefully and find one that is safe for you. We use Lea and Perrins which is soy and gluten free.
  • Rubbed sage
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Brown sugar
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Apple cider vinegar

How to make eggless meatloaf

Making no egg meatloaf is easy! Start by adding all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mixing them together.

To mix, you can use a large fork or spoon. Honestly, I just use my *very clean* hands. 😁

Three photos showing meatloaf ingredients, mixing with hands, and the mixture ready to bake.

To cook the meatloaf, you can use a couple of different methods:

Instant pot method (my favorite!)

Start by putting a piece of aluminum foil over the Instant Pot trivet so it covers it. Place your meatloaf mixture in the middle and form it into a circle using the trivet as the guide. Pull up the corners of the foil and form it gently around the meatloaf. 

Steps for preparing the meatloaf for the Instant Pot cooking method.

Add ½ cup of water to the Instant Pot and place the trivet with the meatloaf inside making sure the foil is high enough to prevent juices from leaking out.

If you really want to save time and maximize the power of the Instant Pot, you can make mashed potatoes at the same time! Just follow this recipe but add the meatloaf on top of the potatoes and follow this recipe’s cooking time. 

Put the cover on the Instant Pot and be sure the pressure valve is set to “sealing”. Then, press the “manual” button and set it to 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes. 

While it’s cooking, mix together the sauce ingredients.

Once the meatloaf has cooked and pressure has been naturally released for 15 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the pan and spread the sauce over the top.

Side by side photos of cooked meatloaf with the sauce being spread on it.

To finish it off, place it on a baking sheet and on the top rack in the oven. Set the oven to broil on low for 5 minutes. Be sure to watch it closely to make sure it doesn't burn.

A platter with sliced eggless meatloaf on it.

Now all you need to round out your meal is a salad or some steamed veggies!

Oven method

You can bake your meatloaf in a meatloaf pan or a cake pan like this: 

Meatlof in a cake pan.

Bake it at 350° F for 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165° F. 

While it’s cooking, prepare the sauce in a small bowl and set it aside.

When the meatloaf is done cooking, remove it from the oven, spread the sauce over the top, and return it to the top rack in the oven. Broil on the low setting for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn!

An overhead view of a plate with eggless meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

What to serve with eggless meatloaf

My favorite way to have this meatloaf is with mashed potatoes that are cooked right in the Instant Pot at the same time. It’s so easy to make! Then I just steam a vegetable to have along with it. 

If you bake the meatloaf in the oven, you can roast potatoes at the same time.

Just cut the potatoes into chunks, toss them in some olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake in the oven alongside the meatloaf at the same temp. With about 20 minutes left, you can add some baby carrots and roast them with the potatoes.

Here are a few other potato recipes that would go very well with this meatloaf:

  • Vegan twice baked potatoes
  • Gluten free sweet potato casserole 
  • Gluten and dairy free cheesy potatoes
  • Allergy free mashed potatoes (stovetop version)
  • This quinoa and rice with sweet potatoes would also be a great side and it makes a large batch so you’ll have leftovers for another meal (I’m a big fan of leftovers!)

What to do with leftovers

Speaking of leftovers, if you have some leftover meatloaf, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Another idea is to slice it into single servings, wrap them each in plastic wrap, and then put them in a resealable freezer bag. When you need a quick meal-for-one, you can pull it out, let it thaw, and microwave it.

You can also repurpose meatloaf and use it in other meals. Here are a few ideas:

  • Make a meatloaf sandwich with gluten free bread.
  • Crumble/chop and add to this dairy free mac and cheese.
  • Add it to stir-fried vegetables and serve with rice.
  • Add it to chili or soup.

Related recipes

  • A bowl of dairy free mashed potatoes.
    Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes {Stovetop OR Instant Pot}
  • A bowl of gluten free turkey meatballs
    Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs {Allergy Friendly!}
  • Dairy and gluten free cheesy potatoes in a casserole dish
    Dairy and Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes {Allergy Friendly!}
  • my mac and Cheese
    My Dairy and Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

📖 Recipe

Eggless meatloaf on a plate with green beans and mashed potatoes

Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}

Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
This eggless meatloaf will become a favorite on your meal rotation because it’s easy to make and cooks fairly quickly in your Instant Pot (but you can make it in the oven, too!) Plus, it's allergy friendly (including dairy free and gluten free) so everyone can enjoy it!
4.80 from 20 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Entree
Servings 8
Calories 325 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure Cooker optional

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground turkey, ground beef or a mixture of both
  • ½ cup gluten free breadcrumbs OR rolled oats
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce omit if allergic to fish
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 ½ tablespoons dried onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

For the sauce

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Add the turkey, beef, ketchup, gluten free breadcrumbs or oats, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried onion, garlic, sage, salt, and pepper to a medium-sized bowl. Mix together using a large fork or your hands.
  • While the meatloaf cooks, make the sauce. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Dijon mustard.

To cook using the Instant Pot

  • Cover the metal trivet with a piece of aluminum foil, making sure it overlaps about 2 inches. Place the meat mixture on the trivet and form it into a round loaf that is the same size as the trivet and of uniform thickness.
  • If you are making mashed potatoes (full recipe here), place the potatoes in the bottom of the Instant pot with ½ cup chicken broth. Place the trivet with the meatloaf mixture on top of the potatoes. If you are not making potatoes, add ½ cup water to the bottom of the pot before placing the meatloaf inside. Secure the lid and make sure the pressure valve is set to sealing. Press the manual button and set it to 25 minutes. When the cooking time is done, allow it to naturally release for 15 minutes before removing it from the Instant Pot.
  • Remove the meatloaf with the foil from the Instant Pot and place on a baking sheet. Spread the sauce over the top. Place under the broiler set on low for 5 minutes keeping an eye on it to make sure it does not burn. Remove from the oven and slice to serve.

To cook using the oven

  • Press the meatloaf mixture into a cake pan or loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F. Remove from the oven.
  • Remove from the oven and spread the sauce over the top. Place under the broiler set on low for 5 minutes keeping an eye on it to make sure it does not burn. Remove from the oven and slice to serve.

Notes

Nutrition information for 1 serving (⅛th of the recipe) made with ½ ground turkey and ½ 80/20 ground beef: Total calories: 326, total fat: 18 grams, saturated fat: 6 grams, trans fats: 0.7 grams, cholesterol: 99 mg, sodium: 703 mg, total carbohydrate: 15 grams, dietary fiber: 0.2 grams, total sugars: 7 grams, added sugars: 7 grams, protein: 26 grams

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal
Keyword dairy free, egg free, fish free, gluten free, peanut free, sesame free, shellfish free, soy free, tree nut free, wheat free
Tried this recipe?Please share how it was!

Love this recipe?

Please leave a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and share your comments below!

Stay in touch on social media! You can find me @ Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I love getting your feedback so please tag me if you try a recipe!

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free) - February 2, 2025
  • Cranberry Apple Sauce {Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free} - November 9, 2024
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) - February 17, 2024

More Main Dishes

  • A bowl of gluten free Swedish meatballs.
    Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free)
  • A bowl of gluten free chili topped with dairy free cheese and jalapenos
    Gluten-Free Chili {Allergy Friendly}
  • chicken pot pies
    Dairy Free Chicken Pot Pie {Allergy Friendly}
  • Inside out egg rolls in a bowl with chopsticks
    Easy Inside Out Egg Rolls {Allergy Friendly}

About Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD

Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.80 from 20 votes (15 ratings without comment)

    Questions? Comments? Drop them below! 👇 Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Tracy says

    November 10, 2024 at 7:30 pm

    This is a keeper for us. I was needing an allergen-free meatloaf recipe - we're gluten, egg, and dairy free here. That's how I found you. I made my own breadcrumbs with GF bread. I normally have some premade stuff on hand. Not today. I also didn't have Dijon mustard or Worcestershire sauce. So, spicy brown mustard for the win and just skipped the Worcestershire sauce. It came out very tasty! It took longer than 55 minutes to reach 165 degrees. I went about 45 minutes longer. By then, we were ready to eat so I skipped the broiling. But you know what? It came out great! I prefer moist, falling apart meatloaf and this fit the bill. I'm pinning this one for future use!5 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

      November 10, 2024 at 7:36 pm

      Hi Tracy, Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm sorry that the cooking time was so different but glad you ended up enjoying the recipe!

      Reply
      • Tracy says

        November 10, 2024 at 7:42 pm

        No harm done! We survived. LOL It may have been the use of the loaf pan, making it kind of thick. Oh, I also use ground venison (about 1.25 lbs) and then a pound of ground beef (probably 85/15, but may have been 90/10). It was really good! Thank you for a great allergen free recipe!

        Reply
        • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

          November 12, 2024 at 6:02 am

          Thanks for that additional info. The thicker loaf, more meat and a bit higher fat content of the meat would all be factors in the cooking time. I'm glad you liked it and hope you find some other recipes here that work for you! Thanks again for sharing your feedback!

          Reply
  2. Bri says

    August 18, 2024 at 1:06 pm

    Delicious! Half of my family has dairy and egg allergies and this is a wonderful and simple meatloaf without trying to over compensate for the possibility of dryness!5 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

      August 24, 2024 at 7:18 am

      Thank you for your review, Bri! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Shanda Boreyko says

    January 23, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    If I double the recipe for the meatloaf and potatoes in my 10qt IP, does the cook time remain the same, only 25 min at pressure with 15 min NR?4 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

      February 01, 2024 at 7:43 am

      Hi Shanda,
      Great question! I believe you can use the cooking time but have not tested this myself (I only have a 6 quart Instant Pot and a double recipe would definitely not fit). I'd love to hear how it goes if you do double it!

      Reply
  4. Lelania says

    November 28, 2022 at 11:04 am

    Can i use chopped onion in place of dried onion?

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

      November 28, 2022 at 5:35 pm

      Hi Lelania,
      Yes, you can substitute 1 small onion, minced, in place of the onion flakes.

      Reply
  5. Ashley says

    June 22, 2022 at 10:06 pm

    Whole family loved it! So easy to prep and make in the oven.5 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels says

      June 24, 2022 at 11:02 am

      Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it and appreciate you sharing your feedback!

      Reply
  6. Jenn says

    March 05, 2022 at 3:25 pm

    A new family favorite! Love being able to make mashed potatoes and the meatloaf at the same time in the Instant Pot!5 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      March 05, 2022 at 3:35 pm

      Thanks, Jenn! Glad you like it! 🙂

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Kristi! I'm a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom with a mission to help you eat well with food allergies!

More about me →

Trending

  • Dairy free butter cream frosting on top of a cupcake
    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
  • A jar of nut free chocolate spread
    Nut Free Chocolate Spread
  • Eggless meatloaf on a plate with green beans and mashed potatoes
    Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}
  • oat milk chocolate pudding in a single serving jar
    Easy Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding {Dairy and Gluten Free}

Seasonal

  • An overhead view of gluten free sweet potato casserole
    Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole
  • A bowl of dairy free mashed potatoes.
    Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes {Stovetop OR Instant Pot}
  • Broccoli crunch salad on a plate
    Broccoli Crunch Salad {Vegan + Gluten Free}
  • A gluten free pumpkin bar with white frosting.
    Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars {Dairy and Egg Free}
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free) - February 2, 2025
  • Cranberry Apple Sauce {Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free} - November 9, 2024
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) - February 17, 2024

Footer

^ Back to top

About

  • About Kristi
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ad Disclosure
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Get in Touch

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2007- 2025 Eating With Food Allergies

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe (Top 9 Allergen-Free) - February 2, 2025
  • Cranberry Apple Sauce {Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free} - November 9, 2024
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) - February 17, 2024
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.