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    Home » Recipes » Entree

    BBQ Meatloaf - Outrageously Flavorful!

    Published: Mar 27, 2024 · Modified: Mar 5, 2025 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    BBQ Meatloaf Recipe - dinner

    Boldy seasoned and outrageously flavorful, this mouthwateringly tender BBQ Meatloaf won't last long on your dinner table.

    If the thought of backyard barbeque gets your mouth watering, you will want to give this BBQ meatloaf recipe a try. This fusion of bold barbecue flavors and a classic meatloaf may be the best meatloaf I've ever tasted and your next family favorite!

    My easy recipe brings the traditional meatloaf to the next level by combining the fork tenderness of a great meatloaf with the bold flavors of a classic BBQ dry rub seasoning the beef, and, of course, sticky BBQ sauce lacquered on top!

    BBQ Meatloaf on cutting board.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Ground beef - 80/20 ground beef or 85/15 is recommeneded (ground chuck is perfect). If you use fattier beef it will be greasy, if you use overly lean ground beef (like ground sirloin) it may be too dry.
    • Plain bread crumbs - Panko breadcrumbs is a good substitute, but in a pinch, there are ways to make meatloaf without breadcrumbs.
    • Milk - Other liquids, such as beef broth can be substituted.
    • Large Egg 
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Liquid smoke - This is optional but recommended to give your homemade meatloaf that distinctive smoky flavor.
    • Brown sugar
    • BBQ Seasonings: Table salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

    Homemade Barbecue Sauce

    • Ketchup
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Brown sugar
    • Worchestershire sauce
    • Cayenne pepper

    Note: Instead of making a homemade BBQ glaze, you can use 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce from the grocery store.

    Sliced BBQ Meatloaf shown close up.

    How to make it

    You will begin making your BBQ meatloaf the same way as any classic meatloaf recipe - by crumbling the beef into a large mixing bowl. Next, add all of the remaining meatloaf ingredients to your bowl and combine the meat mixture together, with clean hands, until well blended.

    Optional Tip: For some people, it can be easier to mix the wet ingredients separately in a small bowl and then add everything together. Either way works well as long as everything is well-combined in the end.

    Next prepare the BBQ sauce glaze by mixing together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl with a whisk.

    Ladle ¼ cup of sauce into the bottom of a bread loaf pan to help prevent the meatloaf from sticking. Then add the meatloaf mixture to the pan and press evenly to distribute the meat throughout the pan in an even thickness. The remaining meatloaf glaze then is painted over the top of the loaf. The meatloaf is now ready for the oven.

    Tip: I recommend using a bread pan for meatloaf. It is the perfect shape and size. If you don't own one you can pick up foil ones at the grocery store. However, in a pinch, there is no reason why you can't simply form a loaf and bake it on a baking sheet or shallow baking pan. It is important to specify that you want a rimmed baking sheet so the fat doesn't drain off to the bottom of your oven.

    Bake meatloaf in the oven at 350 degrees for 70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. However, if the weather cooperates and you are feeling daring, fire up the grill and cook over indirect heat at a similar temperature. Be careful to monitor the temperature to prevent burning and you should have a meatloaf that is out of this world.

    Note: The cooking time can vary depending on how thick you form the meatloaf, which is why using an instant-read thermometer is always recommended.

    BBQ Meatloaf served on table.

    How to reheat leftover meatloaf

    Leftover meatloaf should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator and enjoyed within five days. Due to the thickness of meatloaf, it is best to reheat individual slices at a time. This is easy to do in a microwave, otherwise warming them up in a skillet set over medium heat on the stovetop works very well too. The leftovers make phenomenal meatloaf sandwiches.

    BBQ Meatloaf Feature

    BBQ Meatloaf

    Boldy seasoned and outrageously flavorful, this mouthwateringly tender BBQ Meatloaf won't last long on your dinner table.
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 698kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Equipment

    • Loaf pan
    • Digital Oven Thermometer

    Ingredients

    Meatloaf

    • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
    • ¾ cup breadcrumbs
    • ¾ cup milk
    • 1 egg (beaten)
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 3 dashes liquid smoke (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon table salt (or to taste)
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 dash cayenne pepper

    Homemade BBQ Sauce - Substitute 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce or use the recipe below

    • ½ cup ketchup
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons worchestershire sauce
    • 1 dash cayenne pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large bowl, gently crumble ground beef then add all remaining meatloaf ingredients. Using your fingers gently combine the beef mixture.
    • Mix BBQ sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
    • Pour ¼ cup of sauce in the bottom of a bread pan, or enough to evenly coat the bottom.
    • Add meatloaf to the bread pan and gently press into a solid loaf shape, pressing only hard enough for the meat to hold together.
    • Pour remaining BBQ sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
    • Place in the oven for 70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
    • Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes and serve.

    Notes

    Tip: Line your bread pan with aluminum foil for easy removal of the meatloaf.
     
    IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE you need to try my BBQ Meatball Kabobs too!

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 698kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1256mg | Potassium: 765mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 176mg | Iron: 5.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bethany Williams

      November 27, 2024 at 4:35 am

      5 stars
      This turned out to be the best meatloaf I have ever made.
      I made one change …. I made breadcrumbs out of leftover cornbread. Best idea ever!
      I won’t use plain breadcrumbs in meatloaf ever again. It accentuates the bbq flavor!

      Reply
    2. Elly Brouwer

      May 08, 2024 at 11:44 pm

      5 stars
      I've made this several times to the letter and we just love it!

      Reply
    3. CSRay

      February 12, 2024 at 1:15 am

      5 stars
      So I normally make this recipe exactly minus adding turkey sausage, and it's amazing!

      This time I had an issue! My son is taking a medicine where he can't have any lactose which totally blows me doing this exactly!

      SOOOOO
      I switched the milk to water, about 3/4 cup and about 1 1/2 tsp butter!

      I CAN NOT BELIVE HOW WELL IT CAME OUT! Truly a remarkable recipe being converted that way and still delivering!
      This one is truly a keeper!

      Reply
    4. Bernadette

      November 15, 2022 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      My husband had been hungry for a home cooked meatloaf, so I looked high and low online for a good recipe. I came across this one and decided to try it last night. It was DELICIOUS! Moist - wonderful flavor! He loved it and so did I. The only thing I did different was I used 1/2 C of chopped onion instead of the onion powder. I also used Sweet Baby Ray's honey bbq sauce instead of making my own. Other than that, followed it to the letter. So good - will be using this recipe from now on!

      Reply
    5. Nicole

      January 07, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      Ridiculously delicious!

      Reply
    6. MB

      January 31, 2021 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! I doubled everything and made two separate loaves. I use foil on a baking sheets and just shape loaves. This provides greater surface area for the sauce, which is awesome, and results in a yummy "crust." Next time, I will add onions. We missed them. I have also made your other meatloaf recipe and the fam loves both. I did not grow up in a "meatloaf" family, and am new to this game. Your recipes are the best I have tried. Thanks!

      Reply
    7. Jodi

      December 20, 2020 at 5:32 am

      How do I barbeque it on the grill.

      Reply
    8. Trace

      September 09, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      Can I make this with moose meat?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        September 10, 2020 at 7:59 am

        Absolutely! It will be best if the ground moose was blended with fat when processing or it will be quite lean. If not, I would combine it with ground pork or chopped bacon when making this recipe.

        Reply
    9. Melissa M.

      June 12, 2020 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      Man, this has become my 'go to' meatloaf!! My whole family loves it!! The only thing that I add is chopped green pepper & chopped, sweet onion. Oh my!! And my husband almost always smokes it on our Traeger (in addition to adding the liquid smoke). It is so very good!!! Oh, don't forget the milk - I did that once & it was not the same!! The homemade BBQ is delicious, also! I'm telling you, this recipe is definitely a keeper!! Thnks!

      Reply
      • E. Magnus

        April 30, 2022 at 8:24 pm

        5 stars
        This is the best meatloaf that we ever ate. Thank you so much.

        Reply
    10. Tom I

      March 12, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      This may be the best meatloaf recipe I've ever tried.

      Reply
    5 from 18 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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