Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food with a twist! This BBQ Glazed Meatloaf is not your average meatloaf – it’s a flavor explosion that will have you craving more. 🍴 Juicy, tender beef wrapped in a sweet and tangy BBQ glaze, this dish is the perfect blend of classic and contemporary. Prepare to be the star of any potluck or family dinner with this showstopping meatloaf! 🥇
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Glazed Meatloaf
This BBQ Glazed Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food with a twist! 🤩 Not only is it packed with bold flavors, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. Imagine a juicy, tender meatloaf wrapped in a sweet and tangy BBQ glaze — it’s a flavor combination that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. 💃
Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser, perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests. 👏 And if you enjoy learning how to build deeper savory flavor in classic comfort dishes, you might like this guide to balancing sweet and smoky BBQ flavors from Serious Eats.
Prepare to be the talk of the town (or at least the dinner table) with this showstopping meatloaf!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s gather the all-star cast of ingredients for this BBQ Glazed Meatloaf! 🎬 You’ll need ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, ketchup, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a few spices to bring the flavor. 🌶️ It’s a simple lineup, but when combined, it creates a meatloaf that’s out of this world! 🌌
- 2 lbs (900 g) — Ground beef
- 1 cup (240 ml) — Breadcrumbs
- 2 — Eggs
- 1 medium — Onion, diced
- 3 cloves — Garlic, minced
Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)
- Ground beef → Ground beef and ground pork (still delicious, promise) ✅
- Breadcrumbs → Oats or crushed crackers (easy dietary swap) 👍
How to Make BBQ Glazed Meatloaf (Step-by-Step)
Alright, let’s get this party started! 🎉 First, we’re going to preheat the oven and prepare our meatloaf pan. 🔥 Then, it’s time to get our hands dirty (figuratively, of course) by mixing together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, and a few seasonings. 👨🍳 Once everything is well combined, we’ll shape it into a loaf and pop it in the oven.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C) and grab a baking dish or loaf pan. Grease it up with a little oil or nonstick cooking spray, and let’s get to work! 🛠️ In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together until it’s well incorporated, but try not to overwork the mixture. 💪
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now, it’s time to shape our meatloaf masterpiece! Gently press the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, forming it into a nice, even loaf. 🍞 Then, it’s time to make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, ketchup, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. 🥣 Brush this delectable glaze all over the top and sides of the meatloaf. 🍖
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Pop that bad boy in the oven and let it work its magic for about an hour. 🕰️ Your kitchen is about to be filled with the most mouthwatering aroma, so be prepared to have your neighbors knocking on your door. 👀 Once the meatloaf is cooked through and the glaze is nice and caramelized, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Now, the most important part – slicing and serving! 🍴 Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the meatloaf into thick, juicy portions. 🔪 Serve it up with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad. 🥕 Drizzle any extra glaze over the top for an extra layer of flavor. 🥤 Get ready to be the hero of the dinner table!
How to Know It’s Done (No Guessing)

Alright, let’s make sure this meatloaf is cooked to perfection! 👌
Look for
- A nice, deep brown color on the outside
- The glaze should be caramelized and shiny
- When you gently press on the top, it should feel firm and not mushy
Avoid
- Thinking it’s done just because the outside looks browned
- Relying solely on the cooking time – every oven is different, and meatloaf can be tricky
If it’s too… here’s the fix
- Too dry — Try covering it with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to lock in the moisture
- Not browning enough — Crank up the oven temp to 400°F (200°C) for the final 15 minutes
Optional temp note (only if it makes sense): Not needed here — visual cues are enough.
What to Do If It Goes Wrong (Fix-It Guide)
Uh oh, did something go wrong with your meatloaf? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! 👍
- Too salty — Just mix up a quick sauce with some ketchup, Worcestershire, and a splash of water. Drizzle it over the top to balance out the saltiness.
- Too dry — Whisk together a mixture of beef broth and tomato sauce, then pour it around the base of the meatloaf. The extra moisture will work its magic.
- Too runny — Simply let it cool for a bit, then slice it and pan-fry the slices in a hot skillet to firm them up.
- Not browning — Crank up the oven temp to 400°F (200°C) for the last 15 minutes and keep a close eye on it. That should give you the perfect golden-brown crust.
Good news: almost everything is fixable. Panic is optional. 😌
Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)
Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.
- Try different sauces — Instead of the classic BBQ glaze, switch it up with a smoky chipotle sauce or a zesty Italian-inspired topping ✅
- Add extra goodies — Shredded cheese or diced veggies right into the meatloaf mixture for extra flavor and texture ✅
- Mini meatloaf muffins — Divide the mixture into a muffin tin and bake for a fun, individual-sized presentation 🎉
- Get creative — The options are endless, so feel free to get a little wild in the kitchen! 🚀
Warning: This may cause sudden happiness and suspicious silence at the dinner table. Proceed responsibly. 😅
Serving & Storage
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Best serving ideas | Slice the meatloaf and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and a drizzle of the extra glaze. |
| Fridge storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. |
| Freezer storage | Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. |
| Reheating | Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or in the microwave in 30-second intervals. |
Nutrition Notes
This BBQ Glazed Meatloaf is a hearty and satisfying comfort food dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. 🍽️ With a blend of lean ground beef, flavorful spices, and a sweet and tangy glaze, it’s a meal that’s sure to keep you feeling full and satisfied. 💪 Just be sure to pair it with some fresh veggies or a light salad to balance out all that deliciousness!
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbs: 18 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
bbq glazed meatloaf Recipe
This BBQ Glazed Meatloaf is a delicious twist on the classic recipe, featuring a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce glaze that will satisfy your cravings for comfort food. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings!
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for glazing)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix until well combined, but do not overmix.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a greased baking dish.
- Spread 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
- Remove from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve with additional BBQ sauce and parsley if desired.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This meatloaf pairs well with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Seasonal & Party Feasts 🎉
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: meatloaf, BBQ, comfort food
Quick Questions People Always Ask
Absolutely! While ground beef is the classic choice, you can definitely experiment with a mix of ground beef and pork, or even turkey or chicken. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap out the breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives, like crushed gluten-free crackers or oats. You can also try using a gluten-free flour or panko breadcrumbs.
Yes, this BBQ Glazed Meatloaf freezes beautifully! Simply slice it into portions, wrap them individually, and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.