Glazed BBQ Meatloaf

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Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
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This BBQ Meatloaf is smothered in a savory sauce and flavored with garlic and sweet onion. Serve it for a weeknight dinner or at family gatherings.

Close-up of bbq meatloaf garnished with herbs, served on a gray plate.

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Why this BBQ Meatloaf Recipe is Definitely a Keeper

This easy recipe for mouthwatering meatloaf quickly became a family favorite. With its smoky flavor and barbecue sauce, this delicious dish is pure comfort food. Here are a few reasons why you’ll want to try this delicious dinner recipe for meatloaf with honey BBQ sauce:

  • Makes Great Leftovers: Make this great recipe for meatloaf with BBQ sauce ahead of time, and enjoy it throughout the week.
  • Delicious Flavor: Upgrade this classic recipe with a tangy meatloaf glaze. My family loves this meatloaf. They said it was the best meatloaf they ever tasted!
  • Consistent Results: This bbq glazed meatloaf comes out great every time. Make in the smoker or however you like. Everyone likes meatloaf.

Can I Use Other Types of Meat?

A platter garnished with meat with herbs sits on a gray plate. A bunch of fresh parsley is visible in the background.

This recipe is made with ground beef and a barbecue meatloaf sauce. However, you can make meatloaf with other types of ground meat, like pork or turkey.

Meatloaf Ingredients

Various ingredients in glass bowls, like those for a BBQ meatloaf, including ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, chopped onions, sauces, and seasonings arranged on a surface.
  • Saltines: Crushed saltine crackers add texture to the sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  • Ground Beef: Make the meatloaf with 2 pounds of lean ground beef.
  • Sweet BBQ Sauce: I’m using Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce for this classic meatloaf recipe, but you can use your favorite BBQ sauce instead, or try an original barbecue sauce recipe. Ot try one with a little honey for sweetness and bbq sauce for smokiness.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Add 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce to the glaze.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Meatloaf Prep Ahead Suggestions

  • Meatloaf: Mix the ingredients for the meatloaf and keep in the fridge until ready to bake.
  • Topping for Meatloaf Recipe: Make the glaze ahead of time.

Pro Tip

After cooking, let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

How to Make BBQ Meatloaf

These are the basic steps for making BBQ meatloaf. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Three images depict the process of making bbq meatloaf meatballs: mixing breadcrumbs and spices, blending onions and herbs, and combining ground beef with the mixture and seasonings.

1. Prep the Oven

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed shallow baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix saltine crumbs, parmesan, milk, and Worcestershire sauce and set aside. Then, in a food processor, combine onion, garlic, and parsley and pulse.

3. Make the Meatloaf in Large Mixing Bowl

In a large bowl, combine the beef, eggs, onion mixture, saltine mixture, BBQ sauce, and All Purpose seasoning. Mix until just combined. Form the meat mixture into a loaf on the loaf pan, and bake for 40 minutes.

4. Add Glaze on Top of the Meat

While the meatloaf is baking, combine the BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Evenly coat the top of the loaf with the BBQ glaze and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before serving. Slice and serve when ready. Add extra sauce if desired.

How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Meatloaf

  • Storing: Wrap leftover meatloaf in foil or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate.
  • Reheating: Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.
  • Using Leftovers: Eat leftover meatloaf up to 3-4 days after making it.

Variations and Substitutions for Barbecue Sauce Meatloaf

  • Meat: If you want to make this meatloaf without beef, use different meat, like ground pork or ground turkey.
  • Breadcrumbs: Feel free to use your favorite kind of cracker, or use bread crumbs or panko crumbs instead.
  • Sauce: Make your own barbecue sauce using this recipe.

Best Meatloaf Recipe FAQs

What Side Dishes Can I Serve with this Recipe?

Eat meatloaf with apple pie moonshine, barbecue meatballs, or grilled BBQ sweet potatoes. It also goes well with sides like mashed potatoes or green beans.

What is the Best Temperature to Cook Meatloaf?

Cook this traditional meatloaf at 350 degrees F.

Can I Freeze Meatloaf?

Freeze raw meatloaf for up to 6 months before cooking.

Close-up of a delicious bbq meatloaf topped with parsley, placed on a plate with blurred greenery in the background.

Expert Tips for Making BBQ Glazed Meatloaf

  • Vegetables: Add some vegetables into the glaze, like chopped green onions, carrots, or celery.
  • Spices: Add spices, like onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika.
  • Sauce: Try sweet or spicy BBQ sauce for a different flavor. Make it your own.
  • Meat: Be careful not to pack the meat too tightly or you’ll end up with a very dense, tough loaf.
Close-up of bbq meatloaf garnished with herbs, served on a gray plate.

Glazed BBQ Meatloaf

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This BBQ Meatloaf is smothered in a savory sauce and flavored with garlic. Serve it for a weeknight dinner or at family gatherings.
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Prep Time : 15 minutes
Cook Time : 40 minutes
Rest Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Author: Christina Hitchcock

Equipment

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Ingredients
  

Meatloaf

  • 35 Saltines, crushed
  • ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • ¼ cup Milk
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Small Onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley
  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 2 Eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons All Purpose Seasoning

BBQ Glaze

  • ½ cup BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with non-stick foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add saltine crumbs, parmesan cheese, milk and Worcestershire Sauce to a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
  • In a food processor, add the onion, garlic and parsley and pulse until very finely minced.
  • In a large bowl, combine the beef, eggs, onion mixture, saltine mixture, BBQ sauce, and All Purpose seasoning. Mix until just combined.
  • Form into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Be careful not to pack it too tightly.
  • Bake for 40 minutes.
  • While the meatloaf is baking, combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Evenly coat the top of the meatloaf with the BBQ glaze and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Christina’s Notes

  • Vegetables: Add some vegetables into the glaze, like chopped green onions, carrots, or celery.
  • Spices: Add spices, like onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika.
  • Sauce: Try sweet or spicy BBQ sauce for a different flavor.
  • Meat: Be careful not to pack the meat too tightly or you’ll end up with a very dense, tough loaf.
Helpful Tips for All RecipesThese quick tips will help you get perfect results every time.

  • Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
  • Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
  • Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
  • Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.

For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.

Click here to add your own private notes.

Nutrition

Calories: 592kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 32gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 783mgPotassium: 717mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 402IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 194mgIron: 7mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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10 thoughts on “Glazed BBQ Meatloaf”

  1. If we use breadcrumbs or Panko instead of saltines, how much do we use? I want to try it but with the crackers it will be to much salt for my father. Plus I don’t know how if feel about crackers in it.

    Reply

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