Get ready to experience the ultimate fusion of smoky barbecue, crispy bacon, and a sweet maple glaze! This Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise. Prepare for taste buds that are about to be blown away by this insanely delicious and epic dish. Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Why You’ll Love This Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Maple Glaze
This Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf is a revolutionary twist on a classic comfort food. The combination of savory smoked barbecue, salty bacon, and the sweet maple glaze creates an explosion of flavor in every bite. The bacon wrapping not only adds a incredible texture, but also keeps the meatloaf incredibly moist and juicy. This dish is a serious game-changer that will have your friends and family begging for more. Get ready to experience a thrilling, mouth-watering meal that will leave you craving for seconds – and maybe even thirds!
Ingredients
This epic Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf calls for a simple list of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Ground beef, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and a few spices come together to create the meatloaf base. Then we wrap the whole thing in a blanket of crispy, salty bacon and smother it in a finger-licking good maple barbecue glaze. Prepare to have your taste buds absolutely smashed by this flavor explosion!
- 2 lbs – Ground beef
- 1 cup – Diced onions
- 3 cloves – Minced garlic
- 1 cup – Breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 2 tbsp – Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp – Salt
- 1/2 tsp – Black pepper
- 12 slices – Bacon
- 1/2 cup – Maple syrup
- 1/2 cup – Barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp – Dijon mustard
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or pork (similar flavor and texture)
- Maple Syrup: Honey or brown sugar (for a different sweetener)
How to Make Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Maple Glaze
Get ready to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise with this insanely delicious Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Form the beef mixture into a loaf shape and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Wrap the entire meatloaf with the bacon slices, overlapping them slightly as you go. This will create an incredible smoky, salty, and crispy bacon crust.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper to make the glaze. Generously brush the meatloaf with the glaze, making sure to coat the entire surface.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Bake the Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf for 60-70 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Once it’s out of the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Get ready for the ultimate flavor explosion!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Smoky Chipotle Twist: Use a chipotle barbecue sauce in the glaze for an extra kick of heat and smoke.
- Cheesy Delight: Add shredded cheddar cheese or crumbled feta to the meatloaf mixture for a deliciously gooey twist.
- Crispy Topping: Top the baked meatloaf with crispy onion strings or a cool, creamy avocado salsa.
- Flavor Swap: Try using a different type of sweetener like honey or brown sugar in the glaze.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Storage: Store any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat the meatloaf in the oven until hot and crispy.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatloaf mixture, form it into a loaf, and wrap it in the bacon up to 1 day in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and glaze it.
Nutrition Information
This Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf is definitely an indulgent dish, but every bite is absolutely worth it. Each serving packs a protein-packed punch with 30 grams of protein. The bacon and maple glaze do add some extra fat and calories, but the overall nutritional profile is still quite balanced. Pair it with some healthy sides, and you’ve got a meal that’s both incredibly delicious and somewhat nutritious.
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the meatloaf)
- Calories: 456 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 19 g
- Fat: 27 g
- Sodium: 879 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this meatloaf in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture, form it into a loaf, and wrap it in the bacon up to 1 day in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and glaze it.
Can I use ground turkey or pork instead of beef?
Definitely! This recipe works great with ground turkey or pork as well. The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly, so be sure to check the internal temperature.
How do I prevent the bacon from getting soggy?
Make sure to use thinly sliced bacon and be sure to bake the meatloaf on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip away from the bacon as it cooks, keeping it crispy.
Can I make this meatloaf dairy-free?
Absolutely! This recipe doesn’t call for any dairy products, so it’s naturally dairy-free as is. Just be sure to use a dairy-free barbecue sauce in the glaze.
How can I make this meatloaf spicier?
For an extra kick of heat, try adding a teaspoon or two of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the meatloaf mixture. You can also use a spicy barbecue sauce in the glaze.
Try These Next
- Smoked Applewood Bbq Ribs With Maple Glaze
- Smoky Bourbon Bbq Meatballs With Spicy Maple Glaze
- Maple Bourbon Bbq Bacon Burger With Caramelized Onions
Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Maple Glaze
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: 🍖 SMOKE HOUSE
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Smoky BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf is a delightful twist on the classic recipe. Wrapped in crispy bacon and glazed with a sweet maple sauce, it’s perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 slices bacon
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup barbecue sauce (for glaze)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, milk, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
3. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Wrap the bacon slices around the meatloaf, securing them with toothpicks if necessary.
5. In a small bowl, mix maple syrup and barbecue sauce. Brush half of the mixture over the meatloaf.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After 30 minutes, brush the remaining glaze over the meatloaf.
7. Once fully cooked, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.
Notes
For extra smoky flavor, use smoked bacon.
Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: meatloaf, bacon, barbecue, smoky