• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Shop Now
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Return Policy
    • My Account
  • Food
  • Family
  • Finances
  • Fundamentals
You are here: Home / Food / Crock Pot German Meatloaf

by Stacy  42 Comments

Crock Pot German Meatloaf

So, if you don’t have a thing for meat, this might not be the blog for you. Because really; I might be considered meat-obsessed. I get excited over different variations of meatloaf and meatballs. Sincerely excited. And yes, I realize that might be considered slightly pathetic, but that’s okay. I could be obsessed with worse things…like belly button lint or dust bunnies. And this thought just actually occurred to me, but do you realize that if belly button lint is left long enough, it could possibly turn into a DUST BUNNY? Wow. Now that will get you thinking.

But, I digress. We’re talking about meat, right? Yep. I love making meatloaf in the crock pot. If you’ve not tried out my other three versions: Traditional, Sweet Potato, and Cheeseburger, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Meat just makes bellies happy…I’m still thinking about belly button lint now.

German Meat Loaf

Now, I don’t really like kraut alone although I am aware of the health benefits of sauerkraut so I’ll eat it in stuff – like Kraut Salad. I just don’t care for the overwhelming flavor. So here’s a trick of mine (that likely everyone already does, but don’t tell me): I rinse my kraut with water and drain. That really cuts the strong flavor and I am happy eating it then.

German Meat Loaf

Another favorite of mine for meatloaf = dehydrated chopped onions. I just LOVE them in meatloaf. I don’t know why. I think because they’re smaller than chopped onions and I think they give a wonderful flavor. I use these beauties a lot. My father-in-law used to put crushed Funyuns in his meatloaf…I think he was on to something.

German Meat Loaf

For this particular loaf, I decided to use the mixer to mix my meat – idea from my awesome Mama. In the winter, my hands get really dry and cracked. Did you know that raw meat on cracked hands feels like hell fire and brimstone? True story. It’s like you’re submerging them into boiling cauldrons of hot water. No thanks. Still gotta have my meatloaf though – enter, mixer! Just make sure to only mix until combined. Otherwise you’re gonna have a tough loaf of meat – and that’s sad…might rank it up there with Fruit Cake (note from Barry: fruit cake is awesome. It doesn’t deserve the bad reputation. Don’t be a hater.).

German Meat Loaf

A trick for crock pot loaves – make sure to form into a loaf in the center of the crock…this will allow a moat to form and you can trap the fat. Trap the fat. Trap the fat. That’s fun to say. It sounds like an infomercial.

German Meat Loaf

See all that beautiful fat around the edges? Now it’s easy to pour off. Or, if you’re a kitchen klutz like me, you might want to cut the loaf into two pieces and lift out with a spatula. Otherwise you might end up with a loaf of meat in the kitchen sink. I hear that happens to OTHER PEOPLE. *Cough*

Keep the fat for frying your eggs the next morning. Delicious! I <3 fat. And meatloaf. But not belly button lint.

German Meat Loaf

I know this post is seemingly random. But rest assured this entire post is all about how to make a delicious meatloaf and avoid belly button lint. Actually, I have no idea how to avoid belly button lint. I don’t even know where it comes from.

But anyway, meat loaf is the bomb. This version is one of my best ones yet – except for the prior three. They are good too – they’re all my favorites. Like a mother loves all her children the same – that’s the way I feel about my meat loaves.

Meat – it’s what’s for dinner.

German Meat Loaf

Crock Pot German Meatloaf

  • 1 pound ground beef  (or venison)
  • 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (can leave out, but they really help make this tasty)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Ketchup if desired
  1. Combine all ingredients, mixing well.
  2. Shape into loaf in a 5 quart crock.
  3. Spread top with ketchup if desired.
  4. Cover and cook on HIGH for one hour.
  5. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook for 6 more hours.
  6. Drain off fat.
  7. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Yield: 6-8 servings

NOTE: This makes FANTASTIC meatloaf sandwiches!

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Other Posts You Might Like

About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Comments

  1. Emily Neff says

    November 21, 2013 at 3:34 am

    I got a tip at the farmers market this summer to hollow/clean out a sweet meat squash like a pumpkin and cook your meatloaf inside it–in the oven on 350 for 6 hours–like your crock pot but no pot to clean!!! PLUS, I imagine that all that yummy fat soaks into the squash so no butter needed! Now I have to decide whether to try this or that first! My kids love my GF meatloaf so we will see which they like best–I do have to omit the caraway seeds though…

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 21, 2013 at 8:38 am

      Well that sounds yummy!

      Reply
  2. Katie Losekamp says

    November 19, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    delicious! Made this for supper tonight and my 4 picky boys ( aged 8 and under) ate it up without complaints! They didn’t even mention anything about the sauerkraut and ask to have it made again. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 20, 2013 at 8:38 am

      Well, that’s a fabulous review! 🙂

      Reply
  3. [email protected] Tessa the Domestic Diva says

    November 19, 2013 at 12:07 am

    I love the combo here! FEATURING YOUR RECIPE THIS WEEK ON afw!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 19, 2013 at 9:41 am

      Thank you!!!

      Reply
  4. Diane Balch says

    November 17, 2013 at 11:53 am

    What a great one pot meal.. the meatloaf looks so moist. Thanks for sharing it with us on foodie friday.

    Reply
  5. Joyfulmomof6 says

    November 11, 2013 at 11:45 am

    So glad you posted this…I didn’t try the sauerkraut (I couldn’t risk hubby and children not eating it) but just love the idea of crockpot meatloaf. I will never go back to making it in the oven again!
    Also…the idea of mixing the meatloaf in the mixer. DUH!!! Why didn’t I think of that?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      My Mama is genius like that.

      Reply
  6. Shawna Williams says

    November 11, 2013 at 9:37 am

    What a unique recipe! Visiting you from Recipe Sharing Mondays.

    Reply
  7. Allison says

    November 11, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Can you “skip” the cook on high for an hour and leave it in longer on the low setting? And if so, how much longer?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 11, 2013 at 3:17 pm

      Sure – I just like to get it nice and hot since it’s so large….I would just go with 8 hours on low.

      Reply
  8. Pat Baker says

    November 10, 2013 at 10:29 am

    About the caraway seeds. I don’t like the seeds in rye bread so do you think it’s possible or has anyone crushed them and added them to this dish or any other? Not even sure you can do that but maybe you can LMK. I do like the taste of rye bread made with the seeds but they are awful bitter!!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 10, 2013 at 5:37 pm

      Well, I hate rye bread – and I love this meatloaf…so maybe you would too?

      Reply
  9. Rebecca says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    Would this be a good S meal? Not sure how sauerkraut fits into THM. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm

      I believe cabbage is neutral, so yes this is an S.

      Reply
  10. mommasangelbaby says

    November 8, 2013 at 6:25 pm

    I love saurkraut. I hated it before I spent 16 months in Germany, where I grew to love it. This sounds so delicious, I have put it in my “just sounds yummy” recipe box to try sometime. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • mommasangelbaby says

      November 16, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      I found you again on Finding the Pretty & Delicious and had to stop by to see if it was the same recipe for German Meatloaf. I’m so excited to make this, I even bought carroway seeds (I don’t usually keep them in stock). I think I’ll probably make it this week sometime. Thanks so much for sharing! HUGS!

      Reply
  11. Anna R says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    This sounds good, except for all the dust bunny and other references, I may have to try it (as lo–ok, so I was going to write: “as long as I don’t think about the aforementioned references,” but auto correct intervened and put “as loin gas” –oh dear!)
    Gotta love that German food! My mother in law, who grew up in Germany, taught me to rinse my sauerkraut as well. She said she always gets compliments because she does it that way, since most people don’t rinse theirs. She also heats it with caraway seeds, a bay leaf, and a little bit of sugar–yumm! We serve it with braised bratwurst and either mashed potatoes or brown mustard on crusty rolls.

    Reply
  12. Nancy H says

    November 8, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    Is that a side of roasted radishes? I just got a bunch of radishes to try with crock pot roast beast in place of potatoes. THM-hints may turn me into a radish lovin’ convert yet!
    And again – why have I never even thought about doing a meatloaf in the crockpot?! You’d think after this long I would’ve learned by now…..Thanks for another great kitchen adventure to try!
    (p.s. My husband LOVES your crockpot yogurt recipe – to the point that I’m not allowed to make it anymore…..it’s HIS job. It’s the little things some days…lol)
    A Genius you are…..simply genius! Now, off to contemplate the belly button lint vs dust bunny conundrum.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 8, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Yep – roasted radishes.

      Reply
  13. Melissa Hoyt says

    November 8, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    I only use a slow cooker for meatloaf. My favorite is Italian meatloaf with pasta sauce (instead of ketchup) and Italian seasoning.

    Those meatloaf pans with the insert do fit inside the larger crock pots. I also have put a couple of layers of bread in the bottom to soak up the grease. I’m a little less in love with fat. 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 8, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      Mmmmmmmmmmm, fat.

      Reply
  14. Dineen Ford says

    November 8, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    I love sauerkraut (drained) too and this sound like a great way to “sneak” an extra serving of vegetables into my suspicious little one. I know my hubby will love it.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 8, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      Keep it on the DL. 😉

      Reply
  15. Marsha 'Nana' Baker says

    November 8, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    What a lovely recipe. I’m with you…don’t eat kraut alone, but I do love it mixed into other things. I have a cranberry sauerkraut meatball that is out of this world yummy too..another one I make in the crockpot as well. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  16. Rebekah says

    November 8, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    Stacy,

    The link for the cheeseburger meatloaf wasn’t working, but I found the correct one: http://www.stacymakescents.com/fix-and-forget-friday-crock-pot-cheeseburger-meatloaf

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 8, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks! I believe Barry fixed it earlier. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Misty says

    November 8, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    I love this idea! My German husband hates sauerkraut and I love it! But I think he’ll eat it like this. This is going into our menu plan for next week 🙂
    Regarding the dry hands, try coconut oil. I get very dry cracked hands and just started putting it on them. Within 2 days the cracks were healed 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 8, 2013 at 3:49 pm

      🙂 I hate the greasy feeling – I’m weird.

      Reply
      • Guest says

        November 11, 2013 at 5:50 pm

        I have horribly dry, itchy skin and would get cracked hands every winter. Two tips…First, my sister told me to never put my hands in cold water – always let the water warm a little first. I’m the world’s worst about wet, grab a towel and run when I’m cooking. Second, though it might be ‘greasy’ getting it on, you’d be amazed at how fast the coconut oil soaks in and leaves your hands just feeling smooth and comfortable – no grease!
        Great blog!

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          November 12, 2013 at 7:20 am

          I didn’t know about the cold water!

          Reply
  18. GAHCindy says

    November 8, 2013 at 10:36 am

    Jesse hates caraway. I might just try to sneak it in anyway. Just to see.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 8, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      Don’t do it.

      Reply
      • GAHCindy says

        November 8, 2013 at 4:41 pm

        Aw, why not? Is it really obvious?

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          November 9, 2013 at 8:59 am

          No it’s not obvious….but don’t try to trick him or he’s REALLY going hate all my recipes. LOL LOL

          Reply
          • GAHCindy says

            November 9, 2013 at 12:22 pm

            LOL! We eat your recipes at least once a week. He likes em.

          • Stacy says

            November 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm

            :-/ <—- skeptical face.

          • GAHCindy says

            November 9, 2013 at 5:49 pm

            It’s true! We just finished off a batch of granola for breakfast, and I’ve got cheeseburger sloppy joes in the crock for supper right now! Don’t make me take a picture to prove it. 😉

          • Stacy says

            November 10, 2013 at 8:19 am

            Okay, but I’m only giving in because it’s Sunday.

          • GAHCindy says

            November 10, 2013 at 7:53 pm

            I win because it’s Sunday? Awesome!

          • Stacy says

            November 11, 2013 at 8:50 am

            Yeah – it’s like a commandment or something.


Hello! I’m Stacy!

I believe God created you to be the hero of your home. You CAN manage your home instead of it managing you. That’s why I empower women with simple solutions for their homemaking needs – because if it’s not easy, you won’t do it. {Read More…}

As Featured on the Dave Ramsey Show

Stuff You Really Should Check Out

home management course

© 2023 Humorous Homemaking LLC · All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...