Description
Hearty smoked meatloaf blends classic comfort with smoky Southern barbecue techniques. Robust ground beef, aromatic herbs, and signature wood-fired flavor create a memorable meal you’ll savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 0.5 pounds (227 grams) ground pork (for extra moisture) (optional)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsps ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preparation: Configure smoker to 225F, selecting hickory, cherry, or pecan wood chips for deep smoky infusion.
- Mixing: Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl, gently folding ingredients to maintain a light, airy texture without compressing.
- Shaping: Form mixture into a refined loaf, positioning on a wire rack or aluminum-lined surface to optimize smoke circulation and heat distribution.
- Initial Smoking: Place meatloaf in smoker, allowing it to absorb wood smoke for approximately two hours until internal temperature reaches 130-140F.
- Glazing and Temperature Adjustment: Simultaneously prepare BBQ glaze and increase smoker temperature to 275F, brushing half the glaze onto the meatloaf to enhance flavor complexity.
- Final Smoking: Continue smoking for 45-60 minutes, applying remaining glaze during the last 15 minutes to create a caramelized, glossy exterior, ensuring internal temperature reaches 160F.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from smoker, let rest 10-15 minutes for juice redistribution, then slice and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or as a sandwich filling.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Texture: Mix meat ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to maintain a tender, light meatloaf consistency.
- Optimize Smoke Flavor: Choose wood chips like hickory or cherry for deeper, more nuanced smoky undertones that complement the meat’s richness.
- Monitor Internal Temperature: Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure food safety and prevent overcooking, aiming for 160F without drying out the meatloaf.
- Enhance Glaze Application: Brush glaze gradually during the final cooking stage to create a caramelized, glossy exterior without burning the surface.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg