Your family will love this exceptionally tender Brown Sugar Meatloaf. It is loaded with the rich flavors of Worcestershire and French onion and painted with a sweet brown sugar glaze. Taste why readers are calling this the best meatloaf recipe ever!
Is there any dinner entrée name that sounds more appealing than “Meatloaf”? Think about it… Loaf of meat. Mmm, tantalizing… I guess it is a perfectly descriptive name. Truth in advertising, if you will. However, growing up I never really had meatloaf. What I was served would be more aptly named “meatbrick“. It was a largely flavorless, overly dense, hunk of meat, that sent me running from the idea of meatloaf for years.
My wife, however, loves meatloaf and routinely asks me to make it. I developed this Brown Sugar Meatloaf for her, and guess what? I love it too! Who knew meatloaf could taste good! Well, I guess everyone but me knew that. So, I guess I may be the last one to the party, but at least I have a great meatloaf recipe to show for it!
I have since gone on and even created a BBQ Meatloaf and a Cheeseburger Meatloaf recipe. They taste insane, you’ll want to check them both out!
How to Make Brown Sugar Meatloaf
There is a secret ingredient in my meatloaf. I add one onion soup mix packet. I got the idea from my father in law, who uses it in his burgers. It really adds a great depth of flavor to the meatloaf, without being overpowering at all. That alone is worth trying this Brown Sugar Meatloaf recipe.
The best meatloaf is tender, not a dense brick. Adding breadcrumbs and milk helps keep the meatloaf tender while adding moisture, and the egg will bind it all together. However, the way in which you work the ingredients together will make a big difference in the final outcome. Much like creating a great meatball, you have to be careful about overworking the meat. If you squish the ground beef or work it excessively your meatloaf will get dense.
What Temperature to Bake Meatloaf
In my opinion, the best temperature for baking meatloaf is 350 degrees. It is a low enough temperature to allow the interior of the meatloaf to heat up before the exterior dries out. For this reason, I also recommend using a digital oven thermometer (affiliate link). Since cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your meatloaf, using a digital oven thermometer will ensure you remove the Brown Sugar Meatloaf as soon as it is done baking. No one wants to eat overcooked dry meatloaf!
What Hamburger for Meatloaf
Speaking of dry meatloaf, the best hamburger to use in meatloaf is the traditional 80/20 blend of meat/fat. This is the same blend the best burgers are made from. If you go with a lean hamburger blend, like 90/10, your meatloaf will not have enough moisture and will lack juiciness and flavor. Conversely, too much fat would lead to a big greasy mess.
Meatloaf Glaze
The meatloaf glaze is what separates a good meatloaf from a great meatloaf. In a pinch you can certainly use plain ol’ ketchup for your glaze, however, adding brown sugar and cider vinegar adds an enticing sweet and sour component that your family won’t be able to get enough of.
The brown sugar glaze is exceedingly simple to make, just mix together 1/2 cup of ketchup, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and a quarter cup of cider vinegar and paint it on the meatloaf before it goes in the oven.
What to Serve with Meatloaf?
Mashed potatoes! There is no greater side dish, or more classic pairing, than meatloaf with fluffy mashed potatoes! This is a great pairing not only because they taste great together, but also because the mashed potatoes can be prepared on the stove top while the meatloaf bakes. You could even make some buttermilk cornbread to serve with the meatloaf. Cornbread can be made in advance and warmed prior to serving, or you can bake them with the meatloaf, even though the oven temperature may not be perfect.
Try any of these vegetables on the side:
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 oz packet onion soup mix
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon table salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk
Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Gently crumble ground beef in a large bowl, breaking up into small pieces. Add remaining meatloaf ingredients to the bowl and gently combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Mix all sauce ingredients together and spread half of the sauce along the bottom and sides of a loaf pan.
- Add meatloaf to a loaf pan and press firmly into a loaf shape.
- Liberally paint remaining sauce over the loaf.
- Place meatloaf in the oven and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees.
- Let rest for five minutes and serve.
Video
Notes
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Mike says
I’ve tried several meatloaf recipes over the years, but this one has to be the best that I have ever tried! The packet of onion soup mix really takes it to a new level!!! Delicious!!!
John Price says
Simply fantastic!! It is my New go to Meatloaf recipe.
Katch says
Hi, trying this later but I don’t have brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Can I substitute with white sugar and skip the apple cider vinegar altogether? Thanks in advance.
Fox Valley Foodie says
If you have molasses you can make brown sugar, otherwise, just use ketchup as a topping.
Katherine Nakpil says
Thanks. Tried it with half the amount for brown sugar and the whole family loves it!!!
Tina Richards says
…always hated meatloaf, until I found this recipe. Delicious and moist! I just added a small amount of grated bell pepper!
Rona says
Hi there,
Could I prepare this the night before and just throw it in the oven the next day?
Thanks for your input!
Fox Valley Foodie says
Certainly can. It may even taste better too because the flavors will have time to meld together.
Rona says
Perfect, sounds great!! Anything to help cut down on dinner prep during the week is a life saver.
Thanks so much for your prompt reply!
Aaron says
Can sour cream be substituted for the milk? If so, how much sour cream should be added? Thank you!
Fox Valley Foodie says
You would be better off substituting a liquid, such as beef broth. The liquid provides moisture for the breadcrumbs to soak up.
Janette says
Honestly the best meatloaf ever! My family loves it, and wants me to make it again. So I’m making it tonight!
Aaron says
Can breadcrumbs be substituted with pork rind crumbs?
Fox Valley Foodie says
Yes, that should work fine, however, they will increase how salty the meat is, assuming they are seasoned.
Coach Donna says
Best Meatloaf ever.
Ryan says
I’ve been using the same meatloaf for years but wanted to try something new. I’m so glad I tried this one because it really is amazing and so full of flavor. I use a sheet pan instead of a loaf pan and also cut the sugar in half, for the last few minutes I turn on the broiler and it makes it caramelize the brown sugar a bit more, yum. Great recipe!
Al says
I am a 71 year old single gentlemen and I made this meatloaf today. After searching many meatloaf recipes this one appealed to me the most. The brown sugar glaze convinced me this is the one I should try.
I followed the recipe, however I formed the meatloaf in a loaf pan but then transferred it to a baking dish for backing. This way the meatloaf would not sit in a pile of grease. I spread some of the glaze in the dish and then place the meatloaf on top and finished topping with the glaze.
Baked according to recipe and OMG it came out so great and tasty I surprised myself. Certainly have enough left over for the week skipping days in-between.
Thanks all
Phyllis says
This recipe is delicious. My husband is a picky eater, but we really enjoy this meatloaf.
Julie says
Have been making meatloaf just like yours for years. First time I have actually seen the recipe in print.
My glaze is slightly different; brown sugar, ketchup and tablespoon or so of Worcester sauce, instead of the cider vinegar.
Delicious everytime, husband loves it!
Willow says
I made this meatloaf today but I used Italian breadcrumbs instead of the soup mix. My husband won’t eat anything with even a tiny piece of an onion. I also used Worcestershire sauce instead of apple cider vinegar. It was the absolute best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten! If you think you don’t like meatloaf try this recipe and I guarantee that you will start tocrave it and I make an extra big one so I can have lunch and dinner the next day. It tastes even better refrigerated overnight.
Kim carter says
I fed your recipe to a group of 40 people and all of them said it was the best meatloaf that they have ever eaten. I made this up the night before and just threw them all in the ovens the next evening. thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe
Fox Valley Foodie says
I am so glad to hear that!