Meatloaf Burgers (with homemade ketchup)

These meatloaf burgers are made from scratch with wholesome ingredients and homemade ketchup. You can grill, bake, or pan-sear them. These burgers allow you to have meatloaf in less than half the time!

That’s why they’ve become one of our go-to recipes for busy weeknights. I hope they become a go-to for you too! This recipe post includes a video tutorial so you can make it alongside me, step-by-step!

This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!

Growing up, meatloaf was one of my favorite suppers. I even remember requesting it for my birthday supper a few years.

All year my mom would make a large meatloaf, but in the summer when the Indiana weather warmed up, she’d make them into patties. I distinctly remember eagerly waiting for the burgers to get off the grill every time she made them.

There’s something about meatloaf cooked on a grill. The flavors are incredible!

Right now, my husband and I don’t have an outdoor grill, but we do have an indoor one. I cook these burgers on there but I also love making them in the oven. You really can’t go wrong with any of the cooking methods.

My hope is this recipe becomes a staple in your home during the summer months. It holds a dear place in my hear and reminds me of home. So I hope this recipe creates a cherished memory for you as well!

The Best Meatloaf Burgers

You can’t go wrong with a meatloaf burger recipe that’s made with wholesome ingredients! Here’s how mine is different:

• homemade ketchup instead of pre-made
• bread crumbs (homemade is best) instead of crackers
• honey instead of sugar
• onion instead of onion powder
• the perfect amount of salt and pepper instead of being under seasoned

When you take a bite of these burgers, you’ll see why the ingredients make a difference. The taste is out of this world!

Why You’ll Love These Meatloaf Burger Patties

• Easy to Make: It’s so simple to whip these burgers up. I’ve made the instructions easy to follow, so even a beginner home cook can make them.
• Taste is Amazing: You’re going to love every single bite of these savory burgers!
• Made with Wholesome Ingredients: Every ingredient in this recipe is wholesome so you don’t have to worry about any additives or junk in your food.
• Quick Meal: You can make these burgers in a hurry. The steps are few and if you choose to bake them in the oven, you’ll have 25 minutes to do something else while supper cooks.

The Difference Between Regular Meatloaf and Meatloaf Burgers

The only difference between regular meatloaf and meatloaf burgers is the shape and size of them. They both contain the same ingredients but one you shape into small patties and eat with a bun.

The big advantage of making burgers instead of a full meatloaf is they cook in less time. This allows you to have meatloaf on busy nights. That’s a huge plus in our house!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Meatloaf Patties

• ground hamburger: base of the meatloaf burger
• yellow onion: key to meatloaf
• salt: adds flavor
• ground black pepper: gives it more of a savory flavor
• breadcrumbs (or flour): I like homemade breadcrumbs, it holds the ingredients together
• raw honey: adds a hint of sweetness like ketchup would
• large egg: helps hold everything together
• milk: gives the mixture moisture 
• tomato paste: replaces ketchup 

Optional – Homemade Ketchup Sauce

• tomato paste: base of the ketchup
• raw honey: adds a little sweetness
• salt: adds flavor
• apple cider vinegar: gives it that little tang

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• stainless steel pan (for pan-seared option)
• nontoxic indoor grill (for grilling option) (one of my favorite kitchen appliances!)
• rimmed baking sheet  (for baked option)
• parchment paper
• large mixing bowl
• cutting board
• knife

How to Make Meatloaf Burger Patties

Dice the onion finely and place in a large mixing bowl

Add the rest of the ingredients besides the ones for the sauce and mix together with a fork.

Shape meatloaf mixture into 4 patties with your hands or a spoon. Make them 1-inch thick.

If you want to use the homemade ketchup sauce, add all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix to combine and set aside.

Meatloaf Burgers in the Oven (my favorite method)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper

Place the burgers 2 inches apart and cover with sauce (optional)

Bake for 22-25 minutes or until completely cooked and the outsides are browned.

Cooking Meatloaf Burgers in a Skillet

Prepare a skillet on medium heat with a little avocado oil or butter in it (about 1 tsp or so)

Cook on one side for 8 minutes over medium heat

Flip and cook another 8-10 minutes

Top with sauce (optional)

Grilling Meatloaf Burger Patties

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Once the grill is hot cook for 4-5 minutes.

Flip the patties and cook another 4-5 until cooked all the way through.

Add sauce on top if desired after you flip them.

Video Tutorial

Best Ways to Serve Meatloaf Hamburger Patties

You can serve meatloaf burgers so many ways. Here a few ways we love:

• On a sourdough bun with fresh onion and homemade ketchup sauce or cheese
• Without a bun served along a from-scratch side
• With baked mac and cheese or easy Hawaiian macaroni salad
• Alongside mashed potatoes and gravy
• With homemade french fries

Tips for Making them Ahead

You can make these meatloaf patties a day ahead of time if desired. Just combine the ingredients, shape the patties, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in a glass airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days or 1 month in the freezer. I prefer to freeze our leftover meat so it tastes fresh when we reheat it!

If you go with the freezer method, you can reheat the burger from frozen in the oven.

Reheating Leftover Burgers

The best way to reheat leftover burgers is in the oven or a skillet. If you choose to heat them in the oven, preheat it to 400 degrees, then let them heat until warm.

If you prefer to reheat them on the stovetop, get a skillet warm over medium heat and let the burgers warm until a desired temperature.

Recipe FAQs

More Ground Beef Recipes To Try

• Mini Meatloaf From Scratch
• Game Day Chili (no beans, pasta optional)
• Rotel Dip (from scratch without Velvetta)
• Easy Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup
• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes (Slow Cooker Recipe)