I’m not sure why, but meatloaf has always been one of my favorite dishes. I don’t know if it’s the crispy top crust or how it melts in your mouth, but something about this dish just makes me feel good.
However, one important ingredient that makes meatloaf so good is the egg. If you are out of eggs, don’t like using eggs, or simply want to do new experiments, I’m here to help.
Luckily there are plenty of great egg substitutes for meatloaf that will do wonders to make your dish come alive with flavor while keeping it moist!
Below is a list of some of my favorite egg substitute for meatloaf.
9 Best Egg Substitutes for Meatloaf
The best substitutes for egg in meatloaf are olive oil and flax eggs. You can also use oatmeal, mayonnaise, and chia seeds as a egg replacement in meatloaf.
Here are nine of the best substitutes that will help you make a better-tasting meatloaf without sacrificing the flavor!
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil is the oil that is obtained from the olive. I know, olive oil seems like a weird egg substitute for meatloaf.
However, this simple trick gives your dish an added richness and flavor that will bring everyone to the dinner table.
In meatloaf, olive oil can be a great substitute for eggs because of the moisture it adds to the dish!
Plus, it doesn’t change the taste or texture at all, so no one will know you didn’t use eggs. Just mix one cup of oil into your meat mixture and you’re good to go.
You need to use virgin olive oil for this substitution, as the refined version won’t provide the same texture. Here’s what you need to do:
2. Flax Eggs
Flax eggs are some of the best substitutes for eggs to use in meats and sauces, and they’re perfect for meatloaves.
They provide the moisture and flavor that eggs would give your dish, but without making it rubbery or crunchy.
I know that flax seeds can be a little iffy when it comes to taste, but you won’t even notice them once your dish is cooked!
3. Oatmeal
This is a great replacement in recipes that require a lot of binding, such as meatballs and meatloaf!
Cooked oats are a great way to add in some extra texture and a bit of bulk. They’re a little bland, but that’s where your meatloaf will come in! It will bind the meatloaf together and give it the “glue” to stick together.
4. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is usually used as a condiment or dressing. It is a great addition to your meatloaf, and it’s perfect for binding everything together.
It adds flavor and keeps the meat from being too dry. You’ll end up with a moist and delicious loaf that will look like you spent all day in the kitchen when you only spent 10 minutes!
5. Breadcrumbs
If you’re not a big fan of oatmeal, breadcrumbs are the next best thing for meatloaves. They add extra texture and help hold everything together while keeping the meat moist.
They work perfectly as a binder and won’t turn your dish into mush! But you need to make sure that the bread is 3-4 days old! Fresh bread won’t give your dish the same texture or strength required to hold everything together.
6. Flour
If you want to make your meatloaf even healthier, you can substitute the breadcrumbs for flour instead. Use unsweetened almond meal or coconut flour for a gluten-free alternative!
Flour is a great way to add in some extra texture and bulk without altering the taste of your dish. Flour can make the meatloaf dry if you’re not careful, though!
Make sure to moisten the meat mixture with water or olive oil before adding in the flour!
7. Chia Seeds
You can use chia seeds as a substitute for egg in meatloaf. Chia seeds are a great way to thicken any kind of stew or sauce, so why not try them on your meatloaves? They’re packed with fiber and protein, so you’ll get more out of your meal!
Chia seeds work almost identically to flax seeds. Grind them, mix with water, and add them to your meatloaf mixture at the same time that you add in your other egg substitutes.
8. Gelatin
This is one of the more surprising egg substitutes that you can use in your meatloaf! They’re high in protein and give your loaf a creamy texture without altering the taste at all!
Gelatin is a great way to thicken up any dish and it’s a fantastic egg replacement for meatloaves!
Try using 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin if you want to avoid the tuna-like flavor that most people associate with jello or pudding mix! Don’t add it earlier or you lose all of the gelatinous properties!
9. Aquafaba
Aquafaba is a great egg substitute for meatloaf. It is perfect for vegan meatloaves. It’s basically just the liquid from canned beans (usually chickpeas), so it’s high in protein and works perfectly as an egg replacer!
Aquafaba is a great vegan alternative to eggs, gelatin, or mayonnaise. It works best if you whip it up first, just like you would with normal egg whites! If you’re looking for a vegan option, Aquafaba is your go-to substitute.
Related: How to Tell if an Egg Is Boiled? 7 Simple Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you don’t put eggs in meatloaf?
Your dish will be crumbly and dry. It won’t stick together very well and it will be a lot harder to cook without an egg binder!
Eggs also give dishes like meatloaf the fluffiness and shape that most people are used to. If you don’t take out the eggs, your dish will end up flat and misshapen!
Is egg necessary in meatloaf?
Eggs are a staple in most meats and loaves. They add the moisture and flavor that most people expect from meatloaf. If you don’t use any eggs, your dish will be dry and crumbly. You may also struggle to cook it all the way through.
There are exceptions, though!
If you’re using a vegan meatloaf recipe without any eggs or dairy, you’ll still want to add in some moisture and flavor. You can use an egg alternative like flax seeds or chia seeds for this purpose.
Can I use mayo instead of eggs in meatloaf?
Yes! Mayo can help bind your meatloaf together, but it doesn’t have the same binding properties as eggs. It won’t hold the loaf together as well and you may end up with an unappetizing mush.
So make sure to add enough mayonnaise instead of just using real eggs!
What do vegans use instead of eggs to bind?
There are several vegan options that you can use to replace eggs in your meatloaf, including chia seeds or gelatine.
Final Words
So there you have it! These are some of the best substitute for egg in meatloaf that I know of.
They all give different textures and flavors, so it’s up to you to decide what works best for your dish.
Thank you for reading this article. Feel free to leave any feedback or questions in the comment section below!
I hope that you enjoyed this article and found it useful.
