I love this slow cooker meatloaf and potatoes recipe and use it often. Meatloaf can easily be made gluten-free, and if you combine it with potatoes in a slow cooker, then most of the meal cooks at one time. This meatloaf recipe can also be baked in the oven. Take a look at my meatloaf tips and tricks to learn how I cut the baking time.
Since the potatoes are placed on the bottom of the crock, they cook in the meatloaf juice. Choose a lower lean beef so the potatoes don’t absorb too much fat. I’m not a fan of 90% lean ground beef because I think it lacks flavor. 80-85% lean is my choice for this dish.
I use gluten-free instant potato flakes in this recipe because it’s easier than using bread crumbs, but if you have gluten-free bread crumbs you want to use, then go right ahead.
Meatloaf and Potatoes (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- Potatoes:
- 6 – 8 medium red or gold potatoes
- 1/2 cup water
- Meatloaf:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup gluten-free instant potatoes
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- Glaze:
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Instructions
- Peel or scrub the potatoes and cut them into one inch size chunks.
- Place the potatoes in the bottom of a greased slow cooker and add the water.
- Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl. I use my stand mixer on low speed to combine everything.
- Place the meatloaf on top of the potatoes and shape into an oval (or whatever shape your slow cooker is) so it mostly covers the potatoes.
- Combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and spread it evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours or high for 3 – 4 hours or until the meatloaf and potatoes are both cooked through.
!!! I never thought to use instant mashed potatoes as the bread-y binder for meatloaf. Sadly we haven’t had it often since going gf because I rarely buy gf bread because of the price. The rare time I do, I try to save the ends and a slice or two to make enough bread crumbs for meatloaf. I will definitely try this! Do you think the instant mash pots are a 1:1 ratio for bread crumbs in traditional recipes?
Also, I love the idea of cooking the potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker!
Hi Pagan. Yes, I use 1:1 ratio when substituting instant potatoes for bread crumbs. I also use it for recipes such as salmon cakes that call for bread crumbs.
That is awesome! I have tried meat loaf in the BBQ (needs some tweeking) and was wondering about the crock pot. In the summer I just cannot bear turning on the oven. We’ll give this one a whirl! Thank you!
I often use rice or g/f oatmeal for the binder. Comes out great.
Hi, I haven’t seen gluten free oatmeal my grandaughter who is fourteen is very sensitive to gluten and we have been advised not to give her oatmeal. Can you tell me the brand nme and where you purchased it.
Thanks
Margie
There are several brands of gluten free oats. I like Cream Hill Estates. Check health food stores or Amazon. Not everyone can tolerate oats, however. Start off easy.
Thank you Linda. I know that we can get wheat free oats but am told that oats have there own gluten?
There are other foods that contain a type of gluten such as corn and potatoes, so not all gluten is bad. What is in oats only affects some people. According to the Center for Celiac Research, 5% of celiacs have a problem with oats. That means 95% don’t. If she is going to try eating them, the doctor may want to do blood work again in a few months.
Bob’s Red Mill has “certified gluten free” oats. Big Lots carries Bob’s stuff at a really great discount. (if you aren’t familiar with Bob’s Red Mill, the have lots of gluten free mixes, flours, etc.)
What kind of rice do you use? 🙂
Yes me too!
I have never heard of instant potatoes? Where in the grocery store can I find them? Is it a powder?
Yes, the potatoes are dried into flakes or powder. Check the box to make sure, but several major brands were listed on the Celiac website’s Q & A.
I love this idea, especially with the potatoes on the bottom and 85% lean ground beef in the loaf. My husband favors a mushroom sauce on top, which I think will also work. Thanks, Linda!
I made this yesterday and it was a big hit!! The Instant Potato flakes held perfectly- I was very impressed and the meal was delicious. The only differences I made were I added chopped onions over the potatoes and after removing the meat loaf & Potatoes from the crock pot I added a packet of Gluten Free Savory Gravy mix to the juices and then poured that over the potatoes. This was a very easy meal and easy clean up. Even my pickiest eater ate 2 helpings!!!
Linda, thanks for letting me know. I’m glad everyone liked it!
The entire recipe is not posted here anymore… do I have to subscribe to the Word Press recipe to view? I have made this recipe before and it was a bit winner! Sure wish I could see the entire recipe again.
🙂
Sorry about that. I’m having some problems, but you should be able to view the entire recipe now.
Do you know the nutrition facts? I’m doing Weight Watchers and need to figure out points and portion size.
Sorry, Adrienne. I don’t have that information.
Just popped this in the crockpot for my husband. I subbed almond flour for the instant potatoes and used sweet potatoes instead of white. He tries to eat paleo, so those subs will make him happy!
Happy Memorial Day!!
Heather
Heather, they sound like great substitutes. My husband doesn’t care for sweet potatoes so I usually put in regular potatoes for the family and I skip them altogether. I think I’ll try the almond flour next time.
Can you use ground turkey instead of beef?? If so, any changes I should make?
I haven’t tried it with ground turkey, so you’ll just have to experiment. 🙂
I have never tried meatloaf in the crock pot. I was so impressed by this recipe, and your recipes that I’m making the pineapple chicken tonight!! Thank you for sharing all of your findings and creations. I have a hard time finding meals that are gluten free, tasty, and uncomplicated. My picky husband ( who has no intolerances or allergies) has been raving about all the new dishes he has been having this week.
Thanks again,
Heather Weiser
( I did tweak this recipe for my own convenience because i did not have all ingredients available. I used 2 eggs, salt, pepper, italian seasonings, worchestire sauce, gf bread crumbs, and diced onions to 1.5lbs of 85/15 meat. I also added whole baby carrots to my crockpot with the potatoes, with 2 cups of GF beef broth and an extra quick shake of worchestire sauce over the whole crock pot. My workout buddy, and my coworkers inhaled the leftovers.)
I’m so glad you are both enjoying the recipes. Thanks for letting me know!
I use shredded hashbrowns, shredded cheese, and seasoningings in the middle of the meatloaf. So good! And I use gf quick cooking oats instead of breadcrumbs. Its everyone’s favorite meatloaf!
Please watch out for the shredded cheese from the grocery store as they often contain a “flour” type ingredient to keep it from clumping.
You said to use soy sauce. You have to be careful, most regular soy sauce have gluten in them. I found gluten free soy sauce.
You’re right. I usually specify gluten-free soy sauce. I’ll update the recipe. Thanks!
I haven’t been able to find a good brand of the potato flakes. I am wondering how the almond flour worked as a substitute?
This recipe looks so delicious!
Ive used oatmeal instead of bread crumbs seems to work in most things to keep gluten free at least wheat gluten free
This sounds great and I am going to try it this Fall!
Can anyone give me the URL for celiac website q & a to check brands. It was mentioned in one of the older comments. I’m a newbie. Thanks.
It’s best to learn to read labels and call companies if necessary. Lists can quickly get outdated. This link should help:
http://glutenfreehomemaker.com/reading-labels-to-determine-if-a-food-contains-gluten/
I have this in the crockpot for supper tonight. Do you season your potatoes at all before putting the meatloaf on top? I didn’t think of it til afterwards and hoping they will have flavor to them. Maybe from the hamburger drippings and seasonings put into the meatloaf and sauce?
Yes, the meatloaf does add flavor to the potatoes, and salt and pepper can be added if desired after they cook.