This Amazingly Tasty BBQ Glazed Meatloaf Is A Family Favorite Dinner! (2024)

This BBQ meatloaf is full of classic flavor that’s made better with a tangy BBQ glaze! This easy meatloaf recipe calls for a cup of your favorite BBQ sauce so you can decide how sweet or hot you want the glaze!

This is amazing with pretty much anything, try creamed kale or twice-baked potatoes. For dessert pineapple upside down bundt cake!

Now and then, I get nostalgic for my grandmother’s meatloaf. I have fond memories of eating it for the first time at her table, and I want to share that with my family.

Now, I have my recipe for this warming comfort food. It’s a classic American dish at its finest, and it will comfortably feed a table full of family or guests.

This meatloaf is a hearty combination of ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce. Ketchup is mixed in to add a tomato-y sweetness, and meatloaf seasoning gives it that classic meatloaf flavor!

Top it all off with a delicious BBQ glaze made with a mixture of your favorite BBQ sauce and some Liquid Smoke. It’s a recipe that can be passed down for generations!

🥘 Ingredients

Everything on this list is readily available at most grocery stores. Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce give this dish its classic taste!

Meatloaf

• 2 pounds of ground beef - I like ground chuck, but you can also use a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
• ½ cup White Onion - Yellow onions also work here. Grated or finely diced.
• 1 ½ cups Plain Breadcrumbs - These help soak up moisture and keep everything together.
• 3 Large Eggs - Eggs help make it solid enough to slice.
• 1 tablespoon Meatloaf Seasoning - This tasty spice usually contains things like dried mustard, paprika, garlic and onion powders, etc.
• ⅓ cup Ketchup - You need the tomato-y flavor of ketchup; it’s a key ingredient here.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce - I love the savory spice this adds!

BBQ Glaze

• 1 cup BBQ Sauce - Pick your favorite!
• 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke (optional) - If you love the smoky taste of BBQ, try adding this to your sauce.

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

🧂 Substitutions & Additions

• Panko - If you don’t keep breadcrumbs around, panko will also work in this recipe. Substitute in a 1-to-1 ratio.
• Brown Sugar - To insert a little sweetness in your meatloaf, try adding some brown sugar! Start small with a tablespoon full and increase the next time you make it if needed.
• Cayenne Pepper - For my spice-lovers out there, cayenne pepper will bring the heat! As with the brown sugar, start small and increase as needed. You can always sprinkle more on your individual slice after it’s cooked.
• Mushroom sauce - While it will completely change the taste of the dish, you can absolutely swap out the BBQ glaze for mushroom sauce for a rich and savory alternative.
• Red Salsa - While it’s a little more uncommon, you can also add red salsa to finish off a meatloaf. It will change the spices a bit and add a more tomato-y taste.

🔪 How To Make BBQ Meatloaf

There are 2 parts to this recipe. Mix your BBQ glaze while the meatloaf starts cooking!

Mix, Form & Bake Meatloaf

1. Preheat your oven. First, set your oven to 350℉ (175℃) and use a piece of parchment paper to line a rimmed baking sheet. You can also lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. Mix meatloaf ingredients. Next, dump the following ingredients into a large mixing bowl: 2 pounds ground beef, 1 ½ plain breadcrumbs, ½ cup diced or grated white onion, 3 large beaten eggs, 1 tablespoon meatloaf seasoning (*see note), ⅓ cup ketchup, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Combine all ingredients until well incorporated. Don’t over-mix (*see note).
3. Transfer to a pan. Then, press the meat mixture into a loaf pan or shape it into a loaf on the baking sheet. Either way, it should be mounded at the top and about the same size as a loaf pan.
4. Bake. Put the pan in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 50 minutes.

Make & Apply BBQ Glaze

1. Glaze. When the meatloaf is cooked, take it out and pour 1 cup BBQ sauce over the top or, if desired, a mix of BBQ sauce and 1 teaspoon liquid smoke. Bake for another 10 to 20 minutes, and take it back out when the internal temperature reaches 155℉ (68℃).
2. Drain and rest. After the second cooking period, remove the meatloaf from the oven and drain off any excess grease. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
3. Slice and serve. The meatloaf will keep cooking as it’s resting, and the internal temperature will reach the USDA’s recommendation of 160℉ (71℃). Then, slice and serve.

🥗 Sides

If you're wondering what to serve with meatloaf, be sure to check out my page for all of my favorite pairings!

💭 Tips & Notes

• Homemade Seasoning: If you're out of meatloaf seasoning, mix your own or try my meatloaf seasoning.
• Mixing Technique: Avoid over-mixing the meatloaf to prevent it from becoming dry and dense. Mix until ingredients are just evenly distributed, preferably using your hands.
• Choosing Meat: Opt for 80/20 meat (80% lean, 20% fat). This fat content is ideal for keeping the meatloaf moist without being too greasy.
• Cooking Method: For fattier meats, cook the meatloaf on a cooling rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet instead of a loaf pan. This allows fat to drip away and keeps your oven clean.
• Watch the Cooking Time: Monitor the meatloaf towards the end of cooking. Overcooking can result in a dry and crumbly texture. Remember, cooking times may vary based on your oven and altitude.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Leftovers can be wrapped in foil or put in an airtight container and then refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

To keep meatloaf longer, store it the same as you would for the fridge and freeze it. Frozen leftovers should be eaten within 2 to 3 months for the best flavor.

Reheating

Defrost any frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight. Then, add them to a baking dish with a tablespoon or two of water or broth to keep from drying out. Cook at 250℉ (120℃) for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated to your satisfaction.

❓ FAQ

🍽️ More Meatloaf Recipes

• Meatloaf with Oatmeal
• Taco Meatloaf
• Smoked Meatloaf
• Stove Top Meatloaf
• Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

📖 Recipe Card

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