Meatloaf Burgers

These meatloaf burgers are a perfect twist on a classic recipe. Instead of baking meatloaf in the oven, the ground beef mixture is formed into patties and cooked on the stovetop.

We love making our Classic Crockpot Meatloaf Recipe, but this burger recipe is always a crowd favorite.

What is a Meatloaf Burger?

All of the flavor of meatloaf is packed into these easy to eat burgers. It is the best combination of burgers and tender meatloaf. The meatloaf patties are perfect to sandwich between 2 hamburger buns.

If you love meatloaf, you need to try Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf  and Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf .

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Recipe Substitutions and Additions

• Brown Sugar. Add 1- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the ketchup that goes on top of the burgers. This adds a sweet and salty combination some people love in meatloaf.
• Cheese. Place a slice of cheese on top of the patties. Cheddar, Mozzarella and Pepper Jack make great choices.
• Hot Sauce. If you like things spicy, add your favorite hot sauce to the meat mixture. It is really yummy and you can add as much or as little as you prefer.
• Ground turkey. Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef in this recipe. Check out this Grilled Turkey Burger Recipe.

How to Make Meatloaf Burgers

Step 1. Combine the meat mixture. Mix the patty ingredients together in a large bowl.  Reserve 2 Tablespoons of the ketchup for the patty toppings.  Mix the ingredients together with your hands.

Step 2 – Then form into 4 even patties.  

Step 3. Cook the patties. Heat in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.  Place the patties in the heated skillet.  Brown each side for approximately 5-7 minutes (do not smash the patties down when you flip them). 

Step 4. Add the water. Then add 1 cup of water to the skillet and continue cooking the patties until the juices run clear.  Spoon the reserved ketchup on top of each patty (approximately ½ tablespoon on each patty). 

• Step 5. Heat the bread until toasted. Place the buns on a baking sheet and toast the buns. Serve the patties on the buns with the lettuce, tomatoes and sliced onions.  
• Step 6. Serve warm and enjoy! They are delicious.

Tips for Meatloaf Burger Recipe

• Cooking the patties. The meat should reach an internal temperature of 160 to 165 degrees. We use an instant read meat thermometer and it is so convenient.
• Don’t repeatedly keep flipping the burgers. Try not to continuously flip the burgers. This will result in burgers that are not as tender or juicy.
• Same size patties. Try to form the meat mixture into 4 same sized patties. This will make for even cooking.
• Lean meat. We prefer to use lean ground beef so each patty will shrink less. Ground beef with a higher fat content will shrink significantly.
• Low carb option. Trying to reduce carbs? Skip the bun and wrap the patty in lettuce to make a yummy wrap. You still get all the flavor of meatloaf that you love.

What to Serve with Meatloaf Burgers?

• Homemade french fries. It is super easy to make homemade fries and they are the perfect pairing for a hearty meatloaf sandwich.
• Bacon Wrapped Corn on the Cob. Corn on the cob is always a hit and even better with bacon.
• Easy baked beans recipe. The flavor of baked beans is perfect to serve with meatloaf burgers and this recipe is super easy.
• Other Side Dish Ideas – Check out What to Serve with Meatloaf for even more ideas.

Topping Ideas

• Onion. Red onion or sweet Vidalia onion taste great on meatloaf burgers. It is also really good with sauteed onions.
• Tomatoes. Thinly sliced tomatoes make the perfect topping.
• Lettuce. Butter leaf lettuce is so tender and delicious on meatloaf burgers.
• BBQ Sauce. Add your favorite brand of barbeque sauce on top.
• Mustard. Regular, honey mustard or Dijon mustard all make great options.
• Pickles. Sweet or dill pickles provide a crispy taste with lots of flavor.
• Sriracha Sauce. This is great alone or try mixing with mayo for a creamy spread.

The options are endless for toppings on these delicious meatloaf burgers. You can add these or try some of your favorite toppings.

Sometimes, we make a small topping bar and everyone can customize their meatloaf burger according to how they like it. It is fun and easy without much expense.

Can you Make them in Advance?

Yes, it is a very easy to meal prep. Combine everything as instructed and form the patties. Cover and store inside an airtight container.

Refrigerate until you are ready to cook. This is a great way to save time during busy weeknights packed with lots of activities.