This Paleo Meatloaf Recipe is not only delicious, it's low carb and meal prep friendly. You won't find any ketchup in this real-food recipe!
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When you're trying to follow a certain way of eating like Paleo or low carb, it can be really hard to find family-friendly meals that also suit your needs.
Well, I've made it my mission to make that a little bit easier. You shouldn't have to choose between serving foods your family loves and eating things that make you feel good.
This bison meatloaf recipe is the perfect solution! Meatloaf is such a classic comfort food and with just a few tweaks, it can be really healthy.
My version is gluten free, Paleo and keto-friendly. It's also totally delicious. I use a homemade tomato sauce instead of ketchup and, trust me, it's not only healthier but also tastier with a more complex flavor.
I hope you love this one!
Paleo Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Meatloaf:
- 1 # bison
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp prepared tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp grainy mustard*
- 1 Tbsp coconut aminos
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- S&P
Instructions
For the Tomato Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine 6 oz tomato paste, 3 Tbsp maple syrup, 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
For the Meatloaf:
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a medium container, mix: 1# bison, 1 egg, 1 Tbsp prepared tomato sauce, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp grainy mustard, 1 Tbsp coconut aminos, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp oregano.
- Press meatloaf into oiled loaf pan.
- Spread tomato sauce over the meatloaf. Bake ~45-50 mins.
Notes
What is the nutrition like in this Paleo meatloaf recipe?
While my primary objective when developing new recipes is taste, nutrition is a close second. The nutrition in this Paleo meatloaf recipe is pretty stellar if I do say so myself. Here are a few of the nutritional highlights:
Bison (Iron, Selenium, Zinc, B Vitamins)
Generally lower in fat than beef, bison is an excellent source of lean protein. Another huge benefit with bison is that it is generally grass-fed, although check the package before you purchase to be sure. Furthermore, its zinc supports a healthy immune system and its iron and B vitamins support high energy.
Tomatoes (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium)
Packed with antioxidants, tomatoes may help reduce the risk of several kinds of cancer. They're especially high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that studies show may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. Combining tomatoes with healthy fats boosts the absorption of tomatoes' phytochemicals.
Apple Cider Vinegar (Small Amount of Potassium, Antioxidants)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is anecdotally believed to have all sorts of benefits. Two of those benefits best supported by science are its ability to help stabilize blood sugar and to aid in weight loss. ACV may improve insulin sensitivity by up to 34% with a high carb meal. Apple cider vinegar also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Almond Flour (Magnesium, Selenium, Vitamin E, Potassium)
Almond flour is made from finely ground blanched almonds. Almonds are good for your heart and also help lower LDL cholesterol. One serving of almonds also has as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk! Almonds are also beneficial for healthy sleep. Their selenium may help prevent anxiety and their magnesium is highly beneficial for quality sleep. Almonds are also super high in vitamin E, which is essential for fighting free radicals.
Is this a keto-friendly meatloaf?
Yes! Not only is this bison meatloaf recipe Paleo, it's also keto-friendly.
In fact, this recipe originally appeared on our weekly low carb keto meal plans.
If you want to keep the carbs down on this meal, I like to serve with some simple sautéed spinach. Cauliflower mash is also a great keto-friendly side dish!
Tips for How to Cook Ground Bison
Wondering how to cook ground bison? Don't worry, it may sound fancy but it's super easy. You can cook ground bison much like ground beef.
Bison makes a great substitute for beef in many recipes. The main difference between the two types of meat is that bison is substantially lower in fat. This means it can dry out if overcooked. Try cooking bison at a slightly lower temperature than beef so that it cooks slowly and doesn't get dry. You may also need to add a bit more oil to the pan than with ground beef.
Want to try cooking with bison but aren't sure where to begin? Here are a few recipes where bison works really well:
Paleo Spaghetti Squash Boats w/ Smoky Bison – Bison pairs so well with the smoky flavors here.
Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado Burgers – Subbing bison for beef in these burgers is a great way to try out cooking with bison.
Chili – This chili is vegetarian as written, but add some ground bison for a meatier version that tastes great.
What should I serve with this bison meatloaf recipe?
As I mentioned above, sautéed spinach and cauli mash are ideal sides if you're looking to keep this low carb. If you're not low carb though, there are of course many other healthy sides that complement this bison meatloaf recipe. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: So simple, but so good! Roasted sweet potatoes are one of my favorite sides. I roast them in the oven ahead of time when I do my weekly meal prep and simply reheat when I'm ready to enjoy.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Cauliflower: Any of your favorite roasted vegetables will work well here. Roasted potatoes or butternut squash would also be delicious.
- Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes: If you want to keep the healthy comfort food theme going, my dairy-free mashed potatoes are the perfect side. Check out my short video for even more tips on how to make them.
- Dairy-Free Coleslaw: If you want a light, simple side, this dairy-free coleslaw is a great option. It requires no chopping and you can make the whole thing ahead of time, making dinnertime that much easier.
- Kale Salad w/ Apples & Walnuts: Any green salad makes a great side dish for my Paleo meatloaf recipe. Kale salads work particularly well for meal prep since the leaves are so hearty.
Is this a good meal prep meatloaf?
Yes! This healthy meatloaf recipe comes straight from our Prep Dish meal plans, all of which are designed for meal prep. Here's what to do if you want to use this recipe for a meal prep meatloaf.
- Make the tomato sauce. If you only have a bit of time for meal prep, making sauces like this one ahead of time is a great use of your time.
2. Mix all meat loaf ingredients together and store.
Doing both of these things ahead of time means all you'll have to do on the day you serve is press the meatloaf mix into an oiled pan, spread the tomato sauce on and bake. So easy!
If you need dinner to be DONE when you get home from a long workday, you can of course bake the meatloaf ahead of time too and just reheat when you're ready for dinner.
Want to serve with the perfect wine?
If you want to serve this meatloaf with wine, I highly recommend checking out Dry Farm Wines. It's pretty much the only wine we drink in the Schaaf household!
This dish pairs beautifully with the dark, fruit-driven flavors of the 2018 Les Escots Chateau Les Castellas from Dry Farm Wines.
I love how it tastes, how good I feel the day after drinking it and, of course, its clean ingredients list. Unlike most wines you'll find at the grocery store, Dry Farm Wines does not have added sugar or additives and is keto & paleo friendly! Let me know what you think if you try it!
What are some other low carb dinner recipes?
If you're looking for more low carb dinner recipes, I've got you covered! Each of the below is low carb and keto-friendly, but also totally delicious and family-approved.
Keto Pesto Chicken with Zoodles
Parsley Chicken w/ Kale & Goat Cheese
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Salad
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