Black Folks Southern Soul Food Meatloaf Recipe

Introduction

This Black Folks Southern Soul Food Meatloaf recipe is a soulful spin on a classic comfort food. Moist, flavorful, and infused with simple but powerful seasonings, this meatloaf brings warmth and nostalgia to any dinner table. Its irresistibly tender texture paired with a sweet-savory glaze ensures it’s a true crowd-pleaser that captures the essence of Southern hospitality.

Presenting big family-style portions, it’s the ultimate dish for Sunday suppers, potlucks, or any night you crave a satisfying, home-cooked meal.

Why This Southern Soul Food Meatloaf Stands Out

The secret to this recipe is its blend of savory beef, just the right amount of veggies, and a signature glaze featuring ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. Diced onions and bell peppers add classic soul food flavor, while Worcestershire sauce brings depth. The result is a juicy, flavorful loaf with a caramelized topping—comfort food at its finest.

Essential Prep: Dicing and Mixing for Full Flavor

Even dice on the onions and bell peppers is key to even flavor in every slice. To simplify chopping and save your wrists, reach for the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to achieve fine, uniform pieces in seconds.

When you mix the meatloaf, use a gentle hand to prevent the loaf from becoming dense. A silicone spatula or a masher like the Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher helps combine the ingredients without compacting the mixture.

Baking the Southern-Style Meatloaf

Transfer your shaped loaf to a parchment-lined baking sheet for easier cleanup—products like the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll prevent sticking and make serving a breeze.

Bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F—don’t guess! For food safety and precision, a digital meat thermometer like the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer is invaluable for perfect results every time.

Black Folks Soul Food Meatloaf: Glaze & Finishing Touches

A hallmark of Southern meatloaf is the tangy-sweet glaze. Brush it on halfway through baking and again toward the end so it caramelizes just right.

For an extra pop of Southern flavor, add a few dashes of hot sauce or a bit of garlic powder to your glaze. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to make slicing easier and keep the juices inside.

Serving Suggestions for a True Southern Meal

Slice your meatloaf and serve with creamy mashed potatoes, collard greens, and cornbread for the full soul food experience. Store leftovers in airtight containers—grab the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 for easy meal prep or lunch on the go.

Nutritional Information & Serving Size

This recipe yields 6–8 hearty slices. Each portion contains approximately 320–370 calories, depending on the type of ground meat used and glaze additions. It’s a balanced dish rich in protein and classic flavors, best enjoyed alongside your favorite Southern sides.

The Ultimate Black Folks Southern Soul Food Meatloaf (Recap)

With its blend of juicy beef, soulful seasonings, and a sweet-glazed finish, this meatloaf epitomizes Southern comfort food. Simple ingredients come together with time-honored technique, delivering savory satisfaction in every bite—a dinner that’ll bring folks running to the table.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a strip of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
2. Dice the onion and bell pepper finely. For fast, even chopping, use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onions, bell pepper, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Gently mix using a spatula or the Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher until just combined—don’t overwork it.
4. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Smooth the top.
5. In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and (optionally) hot sauce to create the glaze. Reserve half; brush the rest over the meatloaf.
6. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush with remaining glaze, and return to bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until an internal temp of 160°F is reached—check with the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for safety.
7. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for freshness.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes