Description
This Smoked Meatloaf with Sweet BBQ Glaze is juicy, smoky, and packed with flavor. Slow-cooked on a smoker, wrapped in a sticky BBQ glaze, and finished with a caramelized crust, it’s a comfort food classic made even better with rich smoke infusion. Perfect for BBQ nights, family dinners, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Base:
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1/2 lb ground pork (optional, for richness)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or classic)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Sweet BBQ Glaze:
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
Instructions
- Mix the Meatloaf: In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, onion, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire, ketchup, and seasonings. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape and Chill: Form into a loaf on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Chill for 15–20 minutes.
- Smoke: Preheat smoker to 250°F (120°C). Place loaf in smoker and cook for about 2 hours, until internal temp reaches 135°F.
- Add Glaze: Mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. Brush over meatloaf. Continue smoking until 160°F (about 30–45 minutes).
- Rest and Serve: Remove from smoker, rest for 10–15 minutes, then slice and enjoy.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for a juicy, tender loaf.
- Chill the shaped loaf before smoking for better structure.
- Cook to temperature, not time—160°F ensures safety and juiciness.
- Let the loaf rest before slicing to keep it moist.
- Try different wood pellets like hickory, apple, or cherry for flavor variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Smoked
- Cuisine: American BBQ
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Smoked Meatloaf, BBQ Meatloaf Recipe, Smoked BBQ Meatloaf, Pellet Grill Meatloaf, Traeger Meatloaf