Meatloaf without Milk

This dairy free meatloaf is made without milk, is incredibly flavorful, and is extremely moist and juicy! It's perfect for an easy family dinner.

This meatloaf is made with simple ingredients and is hassle-free, but you'd never know it from how amazingly juicy and incredibly flavorful it is!

This is the kind of recipe you make on busy weeknights but are also proudly serve for Sunday dinner.

Serve with mashed potatoes without milk and green beans for classic dinner Americans have loved and enjoyed for generations.

Jump to:

• History of Meatloaf
• About Dairy Free Meatloaf
• Are Eggs Dairy?
• can i make this eggless?
• Can I make it gluten free?
• Can I use onion powder instead of chopped onions?
• Can I substitute the apple cider vinegar?
• is kosher meat better?
• how to defrost meat
• is it safe to refreeze raw meat?
• Adjusting for a Convection Oven
• how to store
• how to freeze
• Other Dairy Free Beef Recipes You May like
• Other American Classics
• Meatloaf without Milk

History of Meatloaf

The first recorded recipe for the modern American meatloaf dates from the late 1870s and was served as a breakfast food.

Then, during the Great Depression, it was a way for families to stretch the food budget by using an inexpensive type of meat and leftover ingredients.

To stretch the meat further, bread or saltine crackers, bread, or oatmeal were added to the meatloaf.

We continue to do this today in the version of breadcrumbs but for the purpose of moisture and binding.

About Dairy Free Meatloaf

Meatloaf is usually made with milk due to a long-held myth that milk can tenderize ground meat.

You actually don't need milk to make meatloaf, what you need is a liquid to keep the meat moist.

And, if you are using a particularly fatty meat, you probably don't have to use liquid at all.

Are Eggs Dairy?

No, eggs are not dairy.

Dairy is milk and any food products made from milk, including cheese, cream, butter, and yogurt.

So, while eggs are an animal product, they are not dairy.

Recipes like my pancakes without milk are dairy free, even though they contain eggs because they don't use milk or butter.

If this sounds like a silly question to you, you'd be surprised how many people think eggs are dairy because they're in the refrigerated section of the supermarket.

How Can I Tell if My Eggs Are Still Good?

Fill a glass with cool water and submerge the eggs.

If the eggs sink to the bottom and lay flat on their side, they're still fresh.

If they sink but stand on one end at the bottom of the glass, the eggs are older but still good to use.

If an egg floats to the top, it's very old and should be checked carefully for signs of spoilage before using.

can i make this eggless?

There are a number of egg replacement options available, but my favorite way to make meatloaf without eggs is by replacing the egg with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water.

Can I make it gluten free?

I recommend making my gluten free dairy free meatloaf instead. It uses potato flakes instead of bread crumbs.

Or my dairy free meatloaf with oatmeal which is also gluten free and is a more old-fashioned way of making meatloaf.

Can I use onion powder instead of chopped onions?

Yeah, for sure. That's actually the way my Mom prefers to make it because it saves time.

Simply replace the onion with ½ tablespoon onion powder.

Can I substitute the apple cider vinegar?

Sure, you can use red wine vinegar and even white vinegar instead.

is kosher meat better?

Kosher animals are kept in better conditions than non-kosher animals due to strict kosher health requirements of the animals.

Also, the salting process used as part of the process of making meat kosher is similar to dry brining, and therefore produces a better quality meat.

While I've only eaten kosher meat and so I cannot compare, I've been told by non-Jews who do not keep kosher that they've noticed that kosher meat is of superior quality to cook with.

how to defrost meat

There are two ideal ways to defrost meat. One is slowly in the fridge and the other is in water.

in the fridge

Defrosting meat in the fridge is the most highly recommended.

To do this, place the frozen meat in a pan and let it thaw. Oftentimes when meat thaws, it releases liquids that can leak onto your fridge, so the pan is really helpful.

Meat typically takes a full day to thaw. Once thawed, it can remain in the refrigerator for a day or two before cooking.

in cold water

Defrosting meat in water should take two to three hours.  

Submerge your sealed meat in a pot or bowl full of cold water.  Change out the water every 30 minutes or so. 

Do not use hot water because it can start cooking your meat.

is it safe to refreeze raw meat?

According to the USDA, "food thawed in the refrigerator is safe to refreeze without cooking."  However, you do lose quality when refreezing previously defrosted meat. 

Every time you defrost meat, it loses moisture as it thaws, which also leads to a loss in flavor.  To compensate for this, marinate the meat to add more flavor and juice.

The USDA also says not to "refreeze any foods left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F."

Adjusting for a Convection Oven

Convection ovens blow the hot air around, producing around 25 to 30 percent more heat.

Since convection ovens produce more heat, you need either lowering the temperature or shortening the cooking time to compensate.

When recipes specify temperatures and cooking times, it's for conventional ovens, unless specified otherwise.

A simple rule to follow is to lower the temperature by 50ºF when roasting meat and poultry. Some convection ovens offer separate settings for baking and for roasting.

However, keep in mind, some convection ovens actually make a heat adjustment for you. That is, if you set a convection oven for 350ºF, it might actually set itself to 325ºF to compensate. So, check your manual before making adjustments.

how to store

Once cooled, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. Store for 3 to 4 days.

how to freeze

Freeze leftovers within 3 to 4 days.  Place in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. 

Freeze for up to 6 months.  After that, it is still safe to eat but the quality begins to degrade.

Other Dairy Free Beef Recipes You May like

Other American Classics