At Graceland, Sunday meatloaf was more than a practical family supper. It was the kind of familiar Southern comfort food Elvis Presley returned to again and again, even as his life grew far removed from the modest kitchens of his childhood. The Presley family version has a distinctive ingredient: wheat germ, which adds a gentle nutty flavor and helps bind the loaf.

The dish is documented in The Presley Family Cookbook, associated with Vester Presley and Graceland cook Nancy Rooks, and has been demonstrated by Graceland’s own culinary and archives staff. The recipe below is an adapted home-kitchen preparation, retaining the defining ingredients while specifying a practical cooking method and safe final temperature.

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Recipe Information

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy (2 of 5)
Cost: Economical ($$ of $$$$$)
Region/Ethnic Origin: Southern United States

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 slices soft white bread, torn into small pieces
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup plain tomato juice, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold a compact loaf with space around its sides.
2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, torn bread, wheat germ, onion, celery, garlic, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until evenly distributed, without compacting the meat.
3. Shape the mixture into an even loaf in the prepared dish. Pour 3/4 cup tomato juice around the loaf and spoon the remaining 1/4 cup over its top.
4. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for approximately 10 to 25 minutes, until a food thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°F.
5. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon some of the warm tomato cooking juices over each serving.

Kitchen Notes

The wheat germ is part of this dish’s documented character, so retain it rather than substituting ordinary breadcrumbs. The historical ingredient list calls for a can of tomato juice without a standardized volume; the 1 cup specified here is a measured home-kitchen adaptation, not a verified original quantity. The original brief cooking directions also give a shorter baking time. Because loaf thickness and ovens vary, this version uses a thermometer reading of 160°F at the center to establish doneness. Serve with plain mashed potatoes for a pairing associated with Elvis’s Graceland meals.

A Little Graceland History

Graceland archivist Angie Marchese has recounted a Presley family story that Elvis once wanted meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner for six months running. Whether or not every evening followed that pattern, the recollection captures his affection for the familiar. For a small detail to remember: the humble wheat germ in this loaf is one of the ingredients that distinguishes the family’s recorded preparation from many modern meatloaves.

Historical Recipe Disclaimer: This collection celebrates foods documented as favorites of Elvis Presley through historical accounts, interviews, family recollections, and published materials. Unless specifically identified as an authenticated historical recipe, the preparations presented here are carefully researched interpretations rather than exact reproductions of dishes served at Graceland. Carter Family Recipes is an independent culinary publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Graceland, or the Presley estate.