Growing up, my mom’s meatloaf (which is still my favorite) skipped most of the seasoning and used onion soup powder.
I recommend trying it even though the recipe I share here is you’re classic meatloaf recipe.
If you like this dairy free meatloaf without milk, you may also enjoy my dairy free meatloaf with oatmeal and my dairy free meatloaf with potato flakes.
And, if you’re interested in another American classic made without milk, be sure to also check out my Dairy Free Southern Fried Chicken.
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.
Usually, milk is used to soak chunks of bread, that are them mixed into the meat in order to improve the moisture and texture of the loaf. You can simply substitute vegetable, chicken or beef stock for the milk in any recipe, soak the bread in that, and then add it to the mix.
What are Eggs used for?
Eggs do three things in most recipes: they help bind the ingredients together, act as a mild leavening agent, and they add moisture.
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. In fact, eggs fall under the protein food group.
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 and therefore you can make meatloaf without milk.
What you need is a liquid to keep the meat moist, so you can make meatloaf with water or using a dairy free milk.
And, if you are using a particularly fatty meat, you probably don’t have to use liquid at all.
Meatloaf Recipe | How I make a meatloaf | The Simple Way
FAQ
What can be substituted for milk in meatloaf?
Why is milk important in meatloaf?
What helps keep meatloaf moist?
What is a good substitute for meatloaf?
The Meat: While ground beef is commonly used, consider a blend of ground meats such as pork, veal, or lamb for varied flavor and texture. Binders and Fillers: Ingredients like bread crumbs are added to both stretch the amount of servings and to hold the meatloaf together. Consider using oats or crushed crackers instead.
What are the substitutes for animal milk?
Vegetable milk such as rice, almond, coconut, soy, nut milk such as Brazil nut, cashew nut. There is the possibility of consuming them individually or combining vegetable milks.
Can you substitute yogurt for milk in meatloaf?
Yogurt Yogurt, both plain and Greek, can be substituted for milk in meatloaf to retain moisture in the dish. However, like sour cream, you will need to thin it down to prevent the meatloaf from getting a texture that is too thick. To do so, you may add water to the yogurt to counteract the thickness.
Can you substitute half and half for milk in meatloaf?
To substitute half and half for milk in meatloaf, simply replace the amount of milk called for with an equal amount of half and half. You may need to add little extra breadcrumbs to your meatloaf mix to compensate for the additional moisture, but the end result will be a delicious, moist meatloaf that’s full of flavor.