Go Back

Smoked Meatloaf

This smoked meatloaf recipe brings bold smoke flavor and juicy texture, perfect for a backyard barbecue.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and Base Ingredients
  • 2 pounds Ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 pound Ground pork
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs (Panko or old-school)
  • 2 large Eggs Crack them directly into the mixture.
  • 1 large Onion, diced Diced as fine as your patience allows.
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced Use more for extra flavor.
  • ½ cup Milk or leftover cream
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese Block cheese is preferable.
  • 1-2 tablespoons BBQ rub or seasoning blend Use your favorite kind.
  • Salt and pepper Do not skip these for flavor.
  • Optional: Diced bell pepper or jalapeños, smoked paprika For added flavor.
Glaze
  • ½ cup Ketchup
  • ¼ cup BBQ sauce Choose a sweet and sticky variety.
  • 2 tablespoons Brown sugar

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, milk or cream, shredded cheese, BBQ rub, salt, and pepper.
  2. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
  3. Form the mixture into a loaf shape, ensuring it is not too tall.
Smoking
  1. Preheat your smoker or grill to a steady 225-250 degrees F.
  2. Place the meatloaf on a pan with holes or directly on the smoker rack.
  3. Smoke the meatloaf for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
  4. Glaze the meatloaf about one hour before it is done cooking.
Resting
  1. Once done, remove meatloaf from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If you want a stronger smoke flavor, opt for mesquite or oak wood chunks. You can freeze leftovers by slicing and wrapping tightly.