A traditional comfort food that evokes memories of cozy nights at home and family dinners is meatloaf. Ground beef, breadcrumbs, and flavorful seasonings work well together for a certain reason. And this simple dish is elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness when you combine it with a sweet and tangy BBQ glaze. I’m going to share my own recipe for Juicy BBQ Meatloaf with you in this post, along with some cooking advice and stories from my own time. Meatloaf was a mainstay in our home growing up.
Key Takeaways
- Juicy BBQ Meatloaf is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner option.
- The key ingredients for this recipe include ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and BBQ sauce.
- To prepare the meatloaf mixture, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes.
- To make the BBQ glaze, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Apply the glaze to the meatloaf and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
The family would always gather around the dinner table to enjoy this dish, which my mom would prepare on hectic weeknights. My mouth was watering as I excitedly awaited the meatloaf to come out of the oven, & I have happy memories of that moment. When the meatloaf was eventually served, it was always juicy & flavorful. You will need the following ingredients to make this Juicy BBQ Meatloaf: 1 ½ pounds ground beef, 1 ½ pounds ground pork, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 2 eggs, ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 cup BBQ sauce.
Feel free to experiment and adjust the amounts of the ingredients to suit your tastes. For a leaner option, try ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef and pork. For extra taste & texture, you can also incorporate shredded cheese or diced bell peppers into the meatloaf mixture.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) before beginning to prepare the meatloaf mixture. Ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped onion, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper should all be combined in a sizable mixing bowl. Everything should be thoroughly mixed together.
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 pound |
| Breadcrumbs | 1/2 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| BBQ sauce | 1/2 cup |
| Onion | 1/2 cup, chopped |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Instructions | |
| 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. | |
| 2. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, BBQ sauce, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper. | |
| 3. Transfer mixture to a loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes. | |
| 4. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. |
I will now admit that combining the ingredients for meatloaf can be a little tricky. It can be challenging to evenly incorporate all of the ingredients due to the sticky nature of the mixture. But relax, this is all a normal part of the procedure.
Put on some gloves, mix it with assurance, and roll up your sleeves. I promise the outcome will be worthwhile. It’s time to form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf after it has been thoroughly combined.
You can use a loaf pan for a more uniform shape, or you can shape it freehand on a baking sheet. When shaping it by hand, ensure that the final product has a compact loaf shape, measuring approximately 9 inches in length and 5 inches in width. Here’s a quick tip for shaping meatloaf: moisten your hands slightly with water before handling the mixture. This will make it easier to shape and stop the mixture from sticking to your hands. It really is a game-changer, I promise.
Shaped meatloaf should be placed in a loaf pan or on a baking sheet that has been greased. Bake for approximately 45 minutes in an oven that has been preheated. Now is the time to make the BBQ glaze while the meatloaf is baking.
In a small saucepan, combine all the glaze ingredients & whisk until well combined. You will need the following ingredients for the glaze: ½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika. After setting the saucepan on medium heat, simmer the mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes or until the glaze slightly thickens.
After the meatloaf has baked for 45 minutes, take it out of the oven and cover the top and sides of the loaf with the BBQ glaze. To get the most flavor out of the glaze, make sure to coat it evenly. Putting glaze on meatloaf can be a little tricky, I will admit.
It can be challenging to spread the glaze evenly because it can be thick and sticky. I have a little trick for you, so don’t be alarmed. Before dipping a pastry brush into the glaze, wet it with warm water. It will be easier to apply & less likely to stick to the brush when the water is added. Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue baking it for a further 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), after coating it with the BBQ glaze.
By doing this, you can make sure the meatloaf is thoroughly cooked and safe to eat. Now, when it comes to cooking meatloaf, I have to admit that I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. I’ve overcooked it a few times, which left it crumbly and dry. Also, there have been occasions when I undercooked it, leaving the center raw and pink.
But I’ve discovered via trial & error that the most important thing is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Your meatloaf will be cooked to perfection because it eliminates the need for guesswork. When the meatloaf is done, take it out of the oven and give it a few minutes to rest before slicing. By doing this, the meatloaf’s juices will be able to redistribute and become even more juicy.
You have so many options when it comes to serving the Juicy BBQ Meatloaf. For a traditional comfort food supper, pair it with steamed veggies & mashed potatoes. An excellent BBQ meatloaf sandwich can also be made by slicing it and serving it on a bun with some cole slaw. It can even be crumbled and used as a taco filling or pizza topping.
You can choose! Here are some ideas for side dishes to go with your Juicy BBQ Meatloaf:- Creamy mashed potatoes: The savory meatloaf pairs well with the creamy & buttery mashed potatoes. Roasted vegetables: The natural sweetness of the vegetables is enhanced by roasting, which also creates a delightful contrast with the meatloaf’s rich flavor. – Cornbread: The tart BBQ glaze goes nicely with the crumbly, mildly sweet cornbread texture. – Green salad: The richness of the meatloaf can be countered with a crisp, fresh salad. I must confess that I’ve done a good deal of experimenting when it comes to combining side dishes with meatloaf. I’ve occasionally tried upscale gourmet sides only to discover that the straightforward favorites are the greatest.
It is therefore okay to keep things simple and let the meatloaf take center stage. Here are some ideas for experimenting with different flavors of the Juicy BBQ Meatloaf recipe: – Bacon-wrapped meatloaf: To add an extra layer of smoky flavor, wrap the meatloaf in bacon before baking it. Loaf with cheese inside: Before baking, make a slit in the top of the loaf and stuff it with your preferred cheese. The gooey, delectable surprise will come from the melted cheese. – Spicy meatloaf: To give the meatloaf mixture a kick of spice, add some diced jalapenos or a small amount of hot sauce. – Mediterranean meatloaf: To give the meatloaf a Mediterranean flair, add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and fresh herbs like parsley and oregano. I must now tell you a personal story about how I once tried and really enjoyed a version of the Juicy BBQ Meatloaf recipe. I used to add some tang and spice to the meatloaf mixture by adding a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies.
In the end, the meatloaf had a slight kick and was juicy and flavorful. My family loved it, and we now regularly have it as a variation in our home. In summary, juicy BBQ meatloaf is a satisfying dish that will delight the whole family. It is tasty and comforting. Savory meatloaf and tart BBQ glaze combine to create a flavor explosion that will have you hankering after more.
I invite you to try this recipe and share your own culinary tales, whether you follow the traditional recipe or experiment with some variations. Cheers to a delicious meal!
Looking for more delicious dinner ideas? Check out this amazing BBQ meatloaf recipe from Dinner Ideas Blog. But that’s not all! If you’re looking for even more mouthwatering recipes, be sure to explore their other articles as well. From quick and easy weeknight meals to impressive dishes for special occasions, Dinner Ideas Blog has got you covered. Don’t miss out on their incredible collection of recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings. Click here to discover more culinary delights!
FAQs
What is a BBQ meatloaf?
BBQ meatloaf is a variation of the classic meatloaf recipe that includes BBQ sauce as a key ingredient. It is a savory dish made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and spices, and is topped with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce.
What ingredients are needed to make a BBQ meatloaf?
To make a BBQ meatloaf, you will need ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar.
How do you make a BBQ meatloaf?
To make a BBQ meatloaf, you will need to mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Then, shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish. Mix together the BBQ sauce and brown sugar, and spread it over the top of the meatloaf. Bake in the oven for about an hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
What can I serve with BBQ meatloaf?
BBQ meatloaf can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a green salad. Cornbread or dinner rolls also make a great addition to the meal.
Can I make BBQ meatloaf ahead of time?
Yes, you can make BBQ meatloaf ahead of time. Simply prepare the meatloaf according to the recipe, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the meatloaf is cold from the refrigerator.
