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    Home » Beef Dinners

    BBQ Meatloaf

    Posted: Sep 3, 2020 · Updated: Feb 2, 2021 by Tonje

    118 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Try BBQ meatloaf as a tasty alternative to the popular classic dish. Juicy meatloaf is topped with a BBQ glaze for the ultimate family dinner.

    BBQ Meatloaf slices with broccoli and mashed potatoes.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Top tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Leftovers
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Recipe

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    Meatloaf is an American family classic that people have enjoyed for dinner through generations. It's essentially a loaf made from ground beef, almost like a massive flavorful meatball.

    This recipe includes a delicious BBQ glaze, which is a nice twist on the classic meatloaf. It makes 10 thick slices of juicy BBQ meatloaf, which is more than enough to feed a large family.

    If you love this recipe, you might want to check out some other ground beef dinners, like air fryer hamburgers, beef and pork meatballs, or ground beef and cabbage skillet.

    Ingredients

    Ground beef: Use beef with a high fat content to produce a juicy, delicious meatloaf.

    Eggs: Helps the meatloaf stick together and not crumble.

    Breadcrumbs: Helps the meatloaf stick together, and also absorbs the juices from the meat and keeps the loaf nice and moist.

    Garlic, onion, seasoning, bouillon cube: Add flavor to the dish.

    BBQ sauce: A key ingredient in giving the meatloaf a tasty BBQ flavor. Also creates a sticky glaze to coat the meat.

    💡 TIP! You can also add any other seasoning or spices that you like. See below for more flavor variations of the dish!

    BBQ Meatloaf Ingredients.

    Instructions

    Finely dice the garlic and onion. You can also grate them with a microplane, or use a food processor. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until just combined - be careful not to over mix it.

    Hands combining ingredients in a bowl.

    Press the meat mixture into a loaf pan. Handle the raw meatloaf gently, as you don't want to overwork it.

    Ground beef mixture in a loaf pan.

    Spread the BBQ sauce on top as a thick glaze. This will keep the meatloaf juicy, and add a lovely pop of flavor to the finished dish. Make sure that the entire top of the meatloaf is covered.

    Cook the BBQ meatloaf in the oven at 360 °F / 180 °C / 160 °C fan oven for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer into the middle of the meatloaf. It is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 155 °F / 68 °C.

    Uncooked meatloaf with BBQ sauce on top.

    Remove the meatloaf from the oven, and leave it to rest in the pan for about 10 minutes. This will allow the meatloaf to cook a little more, while also ensuring that the juices settle into the meat. This step is key to keeping the meatloaf juicy and delicious.

    Use a large spatula to remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan, and place it on a chopping board. Slice it into thick slices, and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

    Cooked BBQ meatloaf in a loaf pan.

    Top tips

    • Make your meatloaf in a loaf pan. This will keep the juices in the meat, and ensure that the meatloaf cooks evenly.
    • Don't use lean ground beef. The fat keeps the beef juicy, and although we all love a bit of lean meat, this is not the recipe to keep things light.
    • Use good quality breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs will soak up the juices from the beef, and keeps the meatloaf moist. I like to use finely crushed fresh breadcrumbs, or panko breadcrumbs.
    • Leave the meatloaf to chill for at least 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and slicing it. This gives the fat some time to settle in the meat, which results in a much juicier dish.
    • You can replace some seasoning if you want, but I advise you not to omit it completely. The meatloaf should be well seasoned.
    Sliced BBQ meatloaf on a plate.

    Serving suggestions

    • Air fryer cauliflower - Lovely roasted cauliflower with plenty of flavor.
    • Honey roasted potatoes - These sweet, crispy roasted potatoes are a perfect match for the sweet BBQ glaze.
    • Slow cooker mashed potatoes - Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic side dish for meatloaf.
    • Roasted broccoli and carrots - You can't go wrong with roasted vegetables.
    • Lemon and garlic rice - Rice is an excellent side for meatloaf, and a great alternative to potato based dishes.
    • Air Fryer Potato Wedges - Easy crispy potato wedges - make them in your air fryer while the meatloaf occupies the oven.
    • Pear and Walnut Salad - A lovely, light side salad.
    Meatloaf with BBQ glaze.

    Variations

    With vegetables: Add fnely diced carrots and celery to the meatloaf. The vegetables will give the dish a lot of colors and flavor.

    Spicy: Add some finely chopped chili or jalapenos for a spicy version. My family loves spicy food, and this is a favorite!

    Gluten free: Use gluten free breadcrumbs as a gluten free alternative. I would not recommend omiting the breadcrumbs, as the BBQ meatloaf will be very dry.

    Turkey BBQ meatloaf: Use ground turkey in place of the beef. Keep in mind that turkey can cook different, and tends to be a lot more dry than beef.

    With sausage: Add some mashed sausage meat to the beef mix. This wil add more fat to the meatloaf, and make it even more flavorful and juicy.

    Meatloaf with broccoli and mashed potatoes.

    Leftovers

    Leftover meatloaf will store well in an airtight container in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the leftovers in an oven or microwave for a few minutes, and serve them warm with your favorite side dishes.

    You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 12 months. I like to slice the meatloaf first, then freeze it down in portion sizes. Defrost and reheat before use. An excellent quick and easy dinner.

    Juicy sliced meatloaf.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do you have to use a loaf pan to make meatloaf?

    No. I highly recommend using a loaf pan, as the meatloaf will cook more evenly and stay juicy. However, you can also make it without a pan.

    Can you make meatloaf with cooked ground beef?

    No. Cooked ground beef will not hold its shape, so you will have to use raw beef.

    How do you make a BBQ glaze for meatloaf?

    Simply use BBQ sauce as a glaze on BBQ meatloaf. You can alternatively add some brown sugar if you want a more crispy, caramelized glaze.

    Recipe

    BBQ Meatloaf.

    BBQ Meatloaf

    Try BBQ meatloaf as a tasty alternative to the popular classic dish. Juicy meatloaf is topped with a BBQ glaze for the ultimate family dinner.
    No ratings yet
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 325 kcal
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    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lbs ground beef (1 kg mince), don't use lean
    • 1 cup breadcrumbs
    • 1 onion
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 beef bullion cube (or beef stock powder)
    • 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce

    BBQ glaze

    • ½ cup BBQ sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Finely dice the garlic and onion. You can also grate them with a microplane, or use a food processor.
    • Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a bowl until just combined – be careful not to over mix it.
    • Press the meat mixture into a loaf pan. Handle the raw meatloaf gently, as you don’t want to overwork it.
    • Spread the BBQ sauce on top as a thick glaze. This will keep the meatloaf juicy, and add a lovely pop of flavor to the finished dish. Make sure that the entire top of the meatloaf is covered.
    • Cook the BBQ meatloaf in the oven at 360 °F / 180 °C / 160 °C fan oven for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer into the middle of the meatloaf. It is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 155 °F / 68 °C.
    • Remove the meatloaf from the oven, and leave it to rest in the pan for about 10 minutes. This will allow the meatloaf to cook a little more, while also ensuring that the juices settle into the meat. This step is key to keeping the meatloaf juicy and delicious.
    • Use a large spatula to remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan, and place it on a chopping board. Slice it into thick slices, and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

    Video

    Notes

    • Make your meatloaf in a loaf pan. This will keep the juices in the meat, and ensure that the meatloaf cooks evenly.
    • Don’t use lean ground beef. The fat keeps the beef juicy, and although we all love a little bit of lean meat, this is not the recipe to keep things light.
    • Use good quality breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs will soak up the juices from the beef, and keeps the meatloaf moist. I like to use finely crushed fresh breadcrumbs, or panko breadcrumbs.
    • Leave the meatloaf to chill for at least 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and slicing it. This gives the fat some time to settle in the meat, which results in a much juicier dish.
    • You can replace some of the seasoning if you want, but I advice you not to omit it completely. The meatloaf should be well seasoned.
    • Leftover meatloaf will store well in an airtight container in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the leftovers in an oven or microwave for a few minutes, and serve them warm with your favorite side dishes. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 12 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 470mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword bbq, beef, dairy free, ground beef
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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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