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Easy Smoked Meatloaf

Easy Smoked Meatloaf is a classic meatloaf recipe that comes together quickly. Topped with barbecue sauce and bacon for the best meatloaf you have ever tasted. Delicious cooked on your grill or wood smoker or baked in the oven. 

Smoked Meatloaf with barbecue sauce and bacon

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Easy Smoked Meatloaf

Meatloaf is classic comfort food and it’s one of the best recipes for ground beef. A family favorite and I have a tried and true recipe based off of my mother in law’s classic meatloaf recipe. 

Smoked Meatloaf Recipe with mashed potatoes

I did not grow up eating meatloaf. I’m pretty sure the first time I ever tried it was when my mother in law made it. I admit, it’s never been my favorite; however, it is a FAVORITE of my husband and kids. 

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If you know me at all, you know I put my Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce on EVERYTHING and it takes your average meatloaf to over the top amazing, especially if you are topping it with bacon too! 

Bacon and Barbecue Smoked Meatloaf

We have been talking about trying to smoke a meatloaf for a while and my sister in law asked if we had tried it yet. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and finally got around to it for Sunday dinner. 

Smoked meatloaf is seriously mind blowing delicious, even if you are not a meatloaf fan, this recipe is sure to convert you. It worked on me!

How to Make Classic Meatloaf:

I like to use 80% lean ground chuck. Ground beef works just as well and you can also use a mixture of beef and pork. I’ve just always used ground beef or ground chuck. 

Classic Meatloaf with garlic and onions

To the ground chuck, add in beaten eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, diced onions, fresh garlic, salt and pepper and rolled oats or bread crumbs or crushed crackers. 

The egg and the rolled oats help bind the mixture together. Form into a loaf about 4 inches wide and about 2 to 3 inches thick. 

How to Smoke Meatloaf:

Classic Meatloaf on the grill

Prepare wood grill with hickory grilling wood and an offset fire to about 300-350 degrees. Place meatloaf carefully over indirect heat and close the lid. Check meatloaf every 15 minutes and at about 45 minutes, brush with barbecue sauce.

Classic Meatloaf topped with barbecue sauce and bacon on the grill for the best smoked meatloaf

Top with bacon that has been cooked but not yet crisp. Brush bacon with barbecue sauce. Continue to cook until internal temperature of meatloaf reaches 160 degrees. About 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes total. 

How to Bake Meatloaf:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place meatloaf on a baking pan and follow the same steps as for smoking. A 2 pound meatloaf should be cooked through in about 1 hour. 

What to Serve with Meatloaf:

Sliced Smoked Meatloaf with bacon and mashed potatoes

We just have to have Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with meatloaf and these  Almond Green Beans or Bacon Green Beans and Angel Rolls are all great additions to your meatloaf dinner. 

How to Store Meatloaf:

Meatloaf should be stored in an air tight container or cover tightly with foil and refrigerated up to 3 days. 

Easy Smoked Meatloaf with dr pepper barbecue sauce and bacon

What to do with Leftover Meatloaf: 

You are not likely to have leftover meatloaf with a smoked meatloaf, but if you do… Meatloaf Sandwiches are always a great lunch idea. Also, Shepherd’s Pie and chili are also delicious ideas.

Easy Smoked Meatloaf is a great dinner idea for any day of the week or the perfect game day or tailgating recipe. You can’t go wrong with classic comfort food. 

Other Recipes to Try with Ground Beef: 

BBQ Meatloaf is another comfort food favorite and we can’t get enough of this Cheddar Stuffed Meatloaf. This one has onions, garlic and red bell peppers, so good! 

Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff, Barbecue Meatball Hoagies, Dr Pepper Barbecue Sloppy Joes and Cheeseburger Gnocchi Soup  are a few of our favorites. I would love to hear about your best ground beef recipes too.

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Smoked Meatloaf with barbecue sauce and bacon
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4.80 from 10 votes

Easy Smoked Meatloaf

Classic meatloaf topped with barbecue sauce and bacon made easily on the grill or baked in the oven.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: comfort food, ground beef recipe, meatloaf, smoked meatloaf
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds 80% lean ground chuck
  • 1 large onion peeled and diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 7 slices bacon cooked but not crisp

Instructions

  • Prepare grill with an offset hickory wood fire to 300-350 degrees or preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a large bowl add ground chuck, diced onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, beaten eggs, rolled oats, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Mix together until well combined. It is easiest to use your hands to do this, but a wooden spoon will also work.
  • If smoking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or for baking, spray baking pan with non stick cooking spray.
  • Form meatloaf into a loaf, approximately 4 inches wide and 2 to 3 inches thick.
  • Place over indirect heat on grill and close the lid. Or place in the oven.
  • Check meatloaf on the grill every 15 minutes. At about 45 minutes, baste with barbecue sauce and top with bacon slices. Brush bacon with barbecue sauce.
  • Continue to bake another 15-30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
  • Slice and serve immediately.

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