Vegan Beyond Meatloaf

There are three types of people in this world: the ones who grew up loving meatloaf, the ones who are still emotionally recovering from it, and my Millennial cohorts who get a sudden flashback to Will Ferrell and the movie Wedding Crashers upon hearing the word. This Vegan Meatloaf is for all of you.

It’s hearty, sliceable, and actually tastes good. No beans to cook or mash. No mystery ingredients. Just classic comfort food made plant-based and weeknight friendly.

For more easy weeknight meals, try this Instant Pot Vegetable Casserole. For more recipes using Beyond Meat, try these easy Beyond Meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comfort food made vegan – Always a win.
• Simple ingredients – Pantry staples and Beyond Meat, nothing complicated
• Weeknight friendly – Only 10 minutes of prep
• Meathead approved – Even the non-vegans in your life will love.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Breadcrumbs – Help bind everything together and gives structure. Use regular or panko. Gluten-free works too, just always check if the variety you are buying is vegan.
• Water or broth – Hydrates the breadcrumbs and keeps the loaf moist. Broth adds more flavor, but I find it annoying to open an entire carton for just a bit of broth. You do you.
• Beyond Meat – The star of the show. Classic meatloaf texture. Any similar plant-based ground works, but I have tried them all, and Beyond is my favorite (they do not sponsor me…. YET?….)
• Soy sauce – Brings salt and umami flavor. Tamari or coconut aminos can be swapped in for gluten-free options.
• Dry Italian herbs – Adds a bit of a twist on typical flavor. Omit if you want this to taste more like a hamburger than a meatball (no judgement).
• Garlic powder – Swap for minced fresh garlic if desired.
• Onion powder – You can swap for sauteed yellow or sweet onion, but that makes the prep a bit longer. Your choice.
• Salt & pepper
• For the glaze (optional): Ketchup, sugar or agave

Helpful Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• 9×5 loaf pan
• Small bowl

How to Make Vegan Beyond Meatloaf

This is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make this recipe, including photographs. For the quick version, skip ahead to the recipe card below!

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly oil a 9×5 loaf pan. Add all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until everything is fully combined and evenly distributed.
2. Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press it down firmly, smoothing out the top so it bakes evenly.
3. Slide it into the oven and bake uncovered for about 35 minutes, checking a little earlier if you’re using a glass loaf pan since those can cook faster. While it bakes, mix together your glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
4. After the initial bake time, pour the glaze over the top of the loaf, spread it evenly, and return it to the oven for another 10 minutes until set. That’s it. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing so it holds together better.

How to Serve Vegan Meatloaf

Serve thick slices with vegan mashed potatoes and roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts for full comfort food mode.

For a smoky twist, add a little smoked paprika or liquid smoke to the mixture. Want extra texture, fold in finely diced mushrooms or sautéed onions before baking. If you prefer a sweeter glaze, use ketchup with a splash of maple syrup.

How to Customize Vegan Meatloaf

• Not Vegan? Add an egg in place of or in addition to the liquid in this recipe. Obviously this recipe also works with ground meat instead of Beyond, but you wouldn’t be here if that’s what you were looking for.
• Gluten-Free? Stick with gluten-free bread crumbs and tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.

How to Store your Meatloaf

• Fridge – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats well in the oven or microwave.
• Freezer – You can also freeze individual slices for up to 2 months and thaw as needed.

FAQ