If you’re looking for something fun to make this week, I highly recommend Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf! Up until recently, I didn’t realize how amazing meatloaf could be. My husband has always been a fan, but I’d been pretty underwhelmed with how it tastes….until he ordered it at one of my favorite restaurants.
My husband’s strategy worked, because the meatloaf was amazing and I was inspired to develop my own version at home. This is a recipe my whole family loves (and honestly, that’s not always the case). Meatloaf is not the most photogenic food out there – haha, but this is an exceptional recipe!!
If you don’t have a smoker, this meatloaf can be baked in the oven instead and still tastes amazing! Meatloaf pairs really well with the Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Candied Carrots I’ve posted recently. (The recipes are linked below.)
What’s your favorite smoker/grill?
I’ve been asked this before, but my favorite smoker is my Mak 2 Star General Grill. One of the things I appreciate most about this smoker/grill is the wide range of temperatures I can cook at. Being able to cold smoke cheese, as well as grill burgers at 600 F on the same grill, is a huge bonus in my book. And because I’m a lazy griller, I like that it’s electric.
What makes this meatloaf different?
While developing this recipe I read through an insane amount of meatloaf recipes and tried many versions, but the thing I kept coming back to was the meatloaf needed to be wrapped in bacon. The extra flavor and moisture from the bacon couldn’t be beat. (Plus, it’s how they served it at the restaurant!)
Brown sugar was another surprise addition that really elevated the flavor of the meatloaf. And of course, a little shredded cheese can never hurt anyone (unless you’re allergic to dairy!). The rest of the ingredients are more traditional: Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, sautéed onions & garlic, spices, egg, etc.
I hope you’re able to give this recipe a try soon, it’s a new family favorite! Even my daughter who hardly ever eats meat, loves this meatloaf. Go figure!
Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf
2 pounds ground beef (85% lean)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup Colby-jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup ketchup
2 eggs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 ounces of bacon, or enough to wrap the loaf
Directions
Sauté onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until soft. Do not brown. Add all the spices and remove from heat.
To a large bowl, add breadcrumbs, whole milk, cheese, ketchup, eggs, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and onion mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add ground beef and mix with hands until well incorporated.
Shape the ground beef into a loaf and wrap with bacon. Bake or smoke (cherry wood) at 350 for 45-60 minutes (until meat is cooked through and reached 165 F).
Serve with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Grandma’s Candied Carrots!
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