Mom's Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe is classic meatloaf with onion soup mix, ground beef and a simple ketchup glaze. Simply the Best! The whole family loves this easy meatloaf recipe, and it's a delicious dinner for busy weeknights!
Jump to:
This traditional meatloaf recipe was on the menu weekly at our house. It's flavorful, tender, juicy, holds its shape and turns out perfectly every time. Seriously, you can't mess it up!
If you're looking for a good meatloaf recipe like mom used to make, this might be the one. Lipton onion soup mix is the key ingredient here. In fact, the original Lipton meatloaf recipe was known as Souperior Meatloaf!
I think everyone has a slightly different variation of a meatloaf recipe with onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce, but this recipe tastes exactly like mom's!
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf recipe. You can find them in your grocery store or online if you don't already have them at home.
- Ground beef -- 80/20 ground chuck works best here. For best flavor and a moist meatloaf, don't get very lean ground beef.
- Large Eggs -- helps bind the meat mixture
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix or beefy onion soup (or any envelope dry onion soup mix)
- Worcestershire sauce -- adds incredible flavor
- Bread crumbs or cracker meal (plain bread crumbs or Italian)
- Ketchup (We use Heinz ketchup)
- Water or beef broth
- Garlic powder -- optional, but we like garlic
How to Make Meatloaf with Onion Soup Mix
First, add the eggs to a large mixing bowl, and beat the eggs slightly.
This step ensures the eggs are beaten and prevents you from having to over mix the meat. Then, add the a half cup ketchup and the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl.
Next, mix the ingredients together, including 1 quarter cup water or broth. My mom always let me help with this part, and my kids get this job today.
Using your hands is the best way to mix the meatloaf mixture!
Don't Overmix the Meat
The more you mix the ingredients, the tougher the meat will be. Just mix the ingredients until the ground meat starts to stick together.
Then, place the meat into a baking dish, and form it into a loaf shape. You can bake the meatloaf in a loaf pan, but I think a 9-inch baking pan works better.
You can use a square pan -- just make sure that there's enough room for the meat loaf to grow a bit. I usually aim for a loaf that is about 2 inches thick.
Pro tip -- use aluminum foil to make clean-up easier. You can also spray the baking pan with non stick spray.
Top the loaf with a thin layer of ketchup. This lets the top brown and form a nice crust. I usually add a little bit more ketchup about halfway through for a thicker glaze.
Cook Time
Cook the meatloaf uncovered at 350 degrees. This allows a nice crust to form on the top. If the loaf starts to get too brown, you can always cover it lightly with a sheet of aluminum foil.
Meatloaf takes about 1 hour to cook. Start testing for doneness using a meat thermometer at 50 minutes, since all ovens are different. When the temperature is 160 degrees, you're ready to eat!
Let the meatloaf rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before you cut it. This lets the juices settle and makes the juiciest meatloaf! It also makes this juicy meatloaf easier to cut into cleaner slices that don't fall apart.
This has got to be my favorite meatloaf recipe-- a perfectly juicy, flavorful meatloaf every time! And the secret ingredient: an envelope of Lipton onion soup mix and lots of love!
Best Side Dishes to Serve
So what to serve with meatloaf? We keep to the classic meatloaf side dishes here. Our favorite potatoes are Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Air fryer Roasted Potatoes, and Microwave Baked Potatoes.
I also usually serve a side of peas or green beans. Sometimes, I make Air Fryer Broccoli or Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
Here are even more of the best side dishes for meatloaf!
Variations
This French onion meatloaf is already a variation on a basic meatloaf recipe with onion soup mix, but there are some ways to customize this simple meatloaf recipe.
For a sweeter flavor, add some brown sugar to the sauce mixture. You could also add a bit of barbecue sauce for a little more tang. Though, I wouldn't add too much, because you don't want to take away from that wonderful onion flavor!
Another great way to enjoy homemade meatloaf is to make your own onion soup mix seasoning if you don't want to use a packet. You'll need a mix of dried minced onions, onion powder, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
For leaner meatloaf, you can use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
How to Store
Store any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. It'll keep in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
You can make amazing meatloaf sandwiches with the leftover meatloaf. Or, reheat individual slices of meatloaf in the microwave.
For longer storage, freeze the meatloaf in a freezer safe container.
Recipe
Mom's Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 ground chuck works best
- 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix or any brand
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup ketchup plus more for the top
- ½ cup dry breadcrumbs plain or Italian
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl, and mix slightly
- Add the ground beef, soup mix, ketchup, breadcrumbs, water, Worcestershire sauce and garlic to the large mixing bowl
- Mix all ingredients together with your hands just until mixture starts to stick together
- Place meat in greased or foil lined baking dish, form into loaf shape about 2 inches thick, spread a thin layer of ketchup on top, and bake uncovered for 1 hour or until internal temperature is 160 degrees, according to meat thermometer. Can add more ketchup to top right before done for a thicker glaze if desired
- Allow meatloaf to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
More Meatloaf Recipes
Here are some of my best recipes for delicious meatloaf dishes:
- My Favorite Meatloaf
- Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf with cheddar cheese
- Instant Pot Meatloaf
- Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf Muffins
- Italian Meatloaf Muffins with Parmesan cheese
Recipe published in 2020 and updated in 2022
This classic recipe is one my all-time family favorites! I hope you enjoy Mom's Lipton onion soup meatloaf recipe as much as we do!
Don't forget to leave a star rating and comment!
For more easy recipes, new recipes, and original recipe ideas, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on all your favorite social medias!
Gloria says
I've been making this recipe for years! It's easy and delicious! When my daughter was young she hated meatloaf. Went to a friend's for dinner and we were having meatloaf and I thought oh no, my daughter will never eat this. She did. It was delicious. I asked my friend for the recipe and she said, "What recipe? It's on the box of the Lipton Onion soup mix!". Been making it ever since!
Dee says
I agree -- It's really the best meatloaf recipe!
Jan Fuger says
We grew up on this recipe for meatloaf! Many years ago one of my brothers moved to Houston and before he got the job that sent him there he ordered a new Jeep CJ5. When it came in I drove it down to him. The 1st night there I made this meatloaf. He was so convinced that our mother had come down with me that after he took his 1st bite he looked the apartment over, including under the bed! Of course she wasn't, the only thing of hers was the recipe.
Dee says
That's a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing -- so glad you like the recipe!