Growing up, my mom would make her version of meatloaf, and I’d tear it up with a big plate of white rice and banana ketchup on the side. Nothing fancy, just one of those comforting homemade meals that always hit the spot. While most people probably grew up eating meatloaf with mashed potatoes, in our Filipino household, it was always rice.
This Filipino inspired meatloaf recipe is my take on that childhood favorite. It's juicy, flavorful, and made with ground beef, garlic, onions, and a little soy sauce for extra savory flavor. Instead of the traditional tomato ketchup glaze, I'm using banana ketchup, which gives the meatloaf that familiar Filipino sweetness with a slightly tangy finish.
It's an easy family dinner that brings back a lot of memories for me. And yes, I'm still eating it with rice and extra banana ketchup on the side.
Mom’s Meatloaf
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15–25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
1½ lbs ground beef (85/15 recommended)
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
½ cup milk
½ small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp banana ketchup
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Banana Ketchup Glaze
¼ cup banana ketchup
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp white vinegar
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 2 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb the liquid. This helps keep the meatloaf moist and tender. Sauté the diced onions and minced garlic in a little oil for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Let them cool slightly before mixing them into the ground beef
3. In a separate bowl add the ground beef. Add the egg, diced onion, garlic, banana ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the milky panko and mix until combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the meatloaf dense.
4. Shape the mixture into an approximately 8-inch loaf on your prepared baking sheet, or transfer it to a loaf pan.
5. In a small bowl, mix the banana ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar until smooth.
6. Brush half of the banana ketchup glaze over the meatloaf. Bake for 35 minutes.
7. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
8. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps keep all those juices inside.
9. Serve with steamed white rice and extra banana ketchup on the side, just like my mom used to make.
With sweet and tangy banana ketchup glaze
