Fitness / September 16, 2024

BBQ Meatloaf

This is not your Mother’s meatloaf. A BBQ Meatloaf will change everything you thought you knew about this classic dish.

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Have you ever met anything with barbecue sauce on that you didn’t like? If you said no to that question, then we can be friends. I often joke that as long as it includes barbecue sauce, I’ll eat it. I find that it doesn’t matter if barbecue sauce is sweet, spicy, mild, or hot. No matter what, it makes everything taste better. It definitely improves the classic all-American meatloaf.

Meatloaf likely has its origins in Germany and is also similar to the famous Dutch-style meatballs. It’s no surprise if the Germans created a loaf of meat. After all, they brought us other wonderful dishes, such as sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel.

In this recipe, barbecue sauce moistens and flavors the meatloaf and is also added to the top when it comes out of the oven. I have tried many meatloaf recipes and this one outshines them all for me. The barbecue sauce really does make a moist meatloaf, and adding the flavor from the sauce eliminates the need for a lot of other spices. Meatloaf can be boring if it doesn’t have enough flavor, and the barbecue sauce certainly takes care of that.

Is BBQ meatloaf Healthy?

The star of the show in barbecue meatloaf is the ground beef. I mean, after all, it’s what makes the entire loaf. This recipe calls for an 80/20 mix since some fat is needed to make a moist meatloaf. Still, you could choose a 90/10 mix for a lower-fat option. Meatloaf provides you with protein and iron. Both of these are essential nutrients for your body. You could also choose to use ground turkey to make barbecue meatloaf. Oh, and if you eat a gluten-free diet, choose gluten-free bread crumbs for this recipe.

The secret to the best BBQ meatloaf?

The secret to the best barbecue meatloaf lies in the sauce. I prefer to make Homemade Barbecue Sauce or buy my favorite bottled one. If you have a barbecue sauce that you enjoy often, choose that one for this meatloaf recipe. I like a barbecue sauce that has a little spice and plenty of sweetness. You may prefer all spice or all sweet. It will make a difference in the meatloaf. Choose a good one.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds ground beef (80/20 mix)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for glazing
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat

Prepare oven and loaf pan.

Mix

Combine ingredients without overmixing.

Bake

Cook meatloaf, glaze with BBQ sauce, finish baking.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

To store your leftover meatloaf, wrap it in foil or place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also wrap the meatloaf in foil, put it in freezer-safe food storage bags, and freeze your meatloaf for up to 3 months.

Why is my meatloaf dry?

If your meatloaf is dry, you may be cooking it for too long. Next time you make it, add a splash more milk and reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. It can also be helpful to cover the meatloaf with foil while it cooks and then remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to help crisp up the top.

How do I know when my meatloaf is done?

As mentioned in the recipe, be sure to check the internal temperature to determine if your meatloaf is done. Sometimes, meat can look very well done even though it isn’t fully cooked in the center. Meatloaf isn’t like a steak. You can’t choose rare or medium rare. Since it’s made with ground beef, it needs to be well done. Look for an internal temperature of 160° Fahrenheit.

Serving Suggestions

I love a classic meat and potatoes dinner, and meatloaf is perfect for that. I enjoy mine with a nice buttery mound of Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, or Sweet Potatoes. It’s also perfect next to my favorite Oven-Roasted Vegetables or Roasted Russet Potatoes.

In the summer, when they are fresh, I really enjoy Sautéed Green Beans or Air Fryer Asparagus alongside meatloaf. Buttered noodles or Cilantro Lime Rice are also very tasty with meatloaf. The possibilities are endless.

BBQ Meatloaf

This is not your Mother’s meatloaf. BBQ meatloaf will change everything you’ve ever thought about this classic dish.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings servings

Calories 524kcal

Author Melissa Nicholson

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef 80/20 mix
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup barbecue sauce plus extra for glazing
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread additional barbecue sauce over the top.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.