16 Meatloaf Sauces and Glazes To Mix Up Your Classic Recipe

Make meatloaf a new and exciting dinner every week

By

Patricia S York

Updated on July 30, 2024

Million Dollar Meatloaf - Southern Living — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A meatloaf glaze doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. There are so many ways to switch up your standard ketchup and Worcestershire meatloaf glaze recipe to make meatloaf an exciting dinner each week. If you're looking for a little heat, try the Roasted Tomato-and-Dried Chili Sauce. If you're a fan of the classics but want something that's still different, try the Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce. These recipes will teach you how to make meatloaf sauce, and with a short list of easy ingredients, you'll know these meatloaf glaze recipes by heart in no time. Don't get us wrong, we're all about a simple meatloaf with ketchup on top, but some nights you just want something different. Try one of these meatloaf sauces and glazes and make dinner exciting again.

01 of 16

Mushroom Sauce

Southern Living Smothered Steaks With Mushroom Sauce served over mashed potatoes with roasted cheddar broccoli — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

This recipe pairs steak with this mushroom pan sauce, but meatloaf is another great way to enjoy it. The rich sauce is made with shallots, garlic, cream, mustard, and Worcestershire.

02 of 16

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Three pantry ingredients: ketchup, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard make a tangy and easy topper for this simple recipe that's prepared in an Instant Pot.

03 of 16

White Country Gravy

Southern Living White Country Gravy in a gravy boat to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This country gravy is so good, you’ll want to top everything with it, and meatloaf is no exception. If you like country-fried steak, try this creamy sauce on your meatloaf. It’s easy to make with only five basic ingredients.

04 of 16

Southern Meatloaf

Southern Meatloaf — Photographer: Stacy Allen; Food Stylist : Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower

This ketchup glaze in this Southern-style meatloaf has extra sweetness with the addition of brown sugar, but it's not too overpowering thanks to a little spicy dry mustard.

05 of 16

Sweet Mustard Barbecue Sauce

Texas BBQ Sauce, Alabama White BBQ Sauce, and South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee Montiel

Switch out your typical meatloaf sauce for something tangy and spicy. We think this barbecue sauce can be enjoyed with any dish your heart desires.

06 of 16

Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce

Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce — Southern Living

Coca-Cola is a beloved Southern ingredient that deserves a starring role in your meatloaf recipe. The subtle sweetness from our favorite soda mixed with traditional ingredients like ketchup and Worcestershire sauce make this an unmatched pairing for your next family supper.

07 of 16

Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

old-fashioned meatloaf — Will Dickey; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This meatloaf recipe is made in a traditional way, complete with a tomatoey topping. The combination of Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup gives this dish a serious umami boost.

08 of 16

South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce

South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee Montiel

Don't be fooled by the name, this condiment goes way beyond BBQ. Yellow mustard is the star of this sauce, though you may pick up faint hints of honey and brown sugar, which replicate the sweetness of honey mustard.

09 of 16

Honey Barbecue Sauce

Honey Barbecue Sauce — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

The subtle sweetness and tang of this condiment pair well with your favorite meatloaf recipe. This barbecue sauce is so good that we think it deserves to adorn other dishes besides pulled pork or chicken.

10 of 16

Southern Tomato Gravy

Southern Tomato Gravy — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

This silky Tomato Gravy still has all the delicious components of a tomato sauce, but it's the hint of rosemary that truly rounds out the palate. Chicken broth and butter make it exceptionally rich.

11 of 16

Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

CROP Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy — Beth Dreiling Hontzas

This gravy recipe is extra easy to make because it has a secret shortcut: gravy mix. After mixing the package with water, sauté the mushrooms and onions together for a delicious and simple meatloaf sauce.

12 of 16

Easy Boarding House Meatloaf

Boarding House Meatloaf — Southern Living

Our classic recipe has a little extra oomph in the sauce. Instead of limiting onions and bell peppers to the meat mixture, we added them to this ketchup-based sauce, along with butter and cider vinegar.

13 of 16

Million Dollar Meatloaf

Million Dollar Meatloaf - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ketchup and pepper jelly combine to make a sweet, spicy, and tangy meatloaf glaze. Buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, evaporated milk, and Worcestershire sauce give the meat an extra depth of flavor.

14 of 16

Tomato Gravy

Southern Living Tomato Gravy on biscuits — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This tomato gravy still provides the sweetness and tang of a traditional ketchup-based topping, but it’s a fresher sauce that uses beefsteak tomatoes to elevate your everyday meatloaf. Use pan drippings or butter to make the roux that gives the sauce a rich flavor.

15 of 16

Mini Meatloaves with Potatoes, Leeks, and Brussels Sprouts

Mini Meatloaves with Potatoes, Leeks, and Brussels Sprouts — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Ketchup and soy sauce give this simple glaze sweetness and tang. It’s a simple and flavorful step up from your usual sauce.

16 of 16

Ham Loaf

Southern Living Ham Loaf on a plate to serve — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This meatloaf recipe swaps ham for traditional beef, but you can use the spicy-sweet glaze on any meatloaf. Reminiscent of pepper jelly, the glaze is a mix of pineapple preserves, brown sugar, pickled jalapenos, and apple cider vinegar.

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