Craving meatloaf but don't have eggs, no worries. Here are the Best Egg Substitutes for Meatloaf that's guaranteed to hold together, come out juicy & tender, & will taste amazing.
In this post I will share with you my favorite egg replacement Ideas when making meatloaf from scratch. Whether you are allergic or simply don't have any eggs home, no worries I got you covered.
These are the best ways to make egg-free beef, chicken, or turkey meatloaf. These also work when making my recipe for Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs & Sauce.
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Top 10 Best Egg Substitutes for Meatloaf
The key to success with this list is offering you choices that work as both a binder & ensures the meatloaf is juicy, not dense. Many are pantry staples so I am sure you will have one of these ready to use today.
Here are my favorite 10 options for alternate egg ideas and why they work. They are in order of my preference & ease of use. Then continue reading the next section to find our how much to use of each.
- GRATED PARMESAN - this is by far my favorite choice; it's salty, flavorful, & acts as a binder while be fluffy & not making the meatloaf too solid or heavy.
- FLAX EGGS - this vegan option is tops anytime eggs are not used in both baked goods & savory meals.
- CHIA SEEDS - like flax, these are popular & a nutritious way to replace eggs in sweet & savory dishes.
- OLIVE OIL & BAKING POWDER SLURRY - this combination is both a binder & helps moisten the ground meat mixture.
- AQUAFABA - the foamy brine from canned chickpeas acts as a binder & lends moisture.
- OATMEAL, PORRIDGE, CRACKER CRUMBS, OR EXTRA BREADCRUMBS - all of these choices are a good way to use leftovers to bulk up your meatloaf.
- CORNSTARCH, POTATO STARCH, OR ARROWROOT SLURRY - this common way to thicken soups & sauces also works when baking meatloaf.
- YOGURT - plain thick Greek yogurt is a great way to hold meatloaf together & make it tender.
- SILKEN TOFU - the common bean curd ingredient is used in vegan puddings, mousses, etc & works for holding any ground meat together in meatloaves & meatballs.
- BAKING SODA & VINEGAR - the combination acts as a leavening agent that keeps meatloaf light & ensures your slices aren't dense.
NOTE: Mayonnaise: Since mayonnaise is an emulsion made from eggs and oil, this sounds like a solid alternative. I have never tried it since I don't like mayo but I know a few people that swear by this.
How to Replace Eggs when Making Meatloaf
Here's a summary of the top egg substitutes and how they work when making homemade meatloaf.
Each one of these is measured out or a recipe for each egg you're replacing.
- Grated Parmesan - use ¼ cup; finely grated (not shredded).
- Flax Eggs: Mix ¼ cup water with 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal & refrigerate for 15 minutes for it to "gel up".
- Chia Seeds: 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water (no refrigerating or setting needed)
- Olive Oil, Water, and Baking Powder: Whisk together 1 ½ tablespoons of oil, 1 ½ tablespoons of warm water, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
- Aquafaba: 3 tablespoons of the brine from canned garbanzo beans.
- Oatmeal, Porridge, Crushed Crackers, or Breadcrumbs: use ¼ cup.
- Cornstarch, Potato Starch, or Arrowroot Powder: 1 tablespoon with 1 ½ tablespoons of water whisked into a slurry.
- Yogurt: Use ¼ cup of plain greek yogurt.
- Silken Tofu: Pureed ¼ cup silken tofu.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda & 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
What Not to Use
Making sweets that are egg-free is different than when making savory recipes. For that reason, these egg substitutes are great when baking cookies or cakes but just do not work in meatloaf.
I do not recommend using these popular replacement ingredients when making an egg-free meatloaf:
- Applesauce - sweetened no for obvious reason but even unsweetened is a big no for me personally. However if you do like sweet notes in your meat dishes, you may love it like in this Applesauce Oat Meatloaf recipe.
- Banana - same as with the applesauce, a fruit binder isn't a good idea in meatloaf.
Final Notes & FAQ
Here are some common questions & answers regarding making egg-free meatloaf:
Using just olive oil is a quick way to make egg-free meatloaf. It will work but I find it better to use a slurry of oil, water, & baking powder in the recipe idea shared above.
Add a packet of onion soup mix, seasoned breadcrumbs instead of plain, or a few dashes of classic or an umami substitute for Worcestershire sauce all are great.
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