Choose the Right Meat Ratio Use a mix of lean and fatty meats, like 80% lean beef and 20% fat. This provides the right balance of moisture and fat to help hold the meatloaf together while cooking.
Use Binder Ingredient Include binders like breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or oats. These ingredients absorb moisture and help the meatloaf maintain its shape. Eggs also act as a binder, helping everything stick together.
Don’t Overmix Mix your ingredients gently. Overmixing can cause the meatloaf to become dense and tough, which leads to it falling apart. Just combine the ingredients until they’re evenly mixed.
Let It Rest Before Slicing After baking, let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes it easier to cut without falling apart.
Shape It Firmly When shaping your meatloaf, press the mixture together firmly but not too tightly. A loaf pan works well to keep the shape, but if you’re shaping it by hand, form it into a compact loaf.
Avoid Using Too Much Liquid While some moisture is needed, avoid adding too much liquid like milk or broth. Excess moisture can make the meatloaf too loose and cause it to crumble during baking.
Use a Baking Sheet If you’re baking your meatloaf on a sheet pan, consider lining it with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking, allow for better heat circulation, and help the meatloaf hold its shape.