Smoked Meatloaf
Preparing our smoked meatloaf recipe is easy to do, only takes a few basic ingredients, and everyone can make this recipe and enjoy it! Making smoked meatloaf is not a difficult process, and our easy-to-follow steps below will walk you through the process in a seamless manner so that anyone and everyone can enjoy this delicious recipe! Be sure you give it a try, so you can taste for yourself this fabulous smoked meatloaf recipe!
The Best Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
Perhaps we are partial, but we think that this recipe makes the best smoked meatloaf recipe there is. Our recipe is very simple but allows you to fully enjoy the amazing flavors of your smoked meatloaf. It’s easy to make, and very delicious to enjoy.
To make the smoked meatloaf recipe you don’t have to be an expert cook or even have a smoker. We’re going to show you how you can easily do it on a grill too. Of course, smoking your meatloaf on the smoker will give you fabulous results, but you can make it using any of these cooking methods, and still enjoy our fabulous smoked meatloaf recipe.
Our smoked meatloaf recipe is so easy that anyone can prepare it. All you have to do is follow these simple step-by-step instructions below, to prepare the meatloaf and then smoke it until it is fully cooked. Yum! Get ready for a delicious smoked meatloaf.
Easy Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients for Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
Meatloaf:
80/20 Ground Beef (you can also use ground turkey or ground pork, or a mixture of these meats if desired)
Egg
Milk
Oatmeal
Onion soup mix
Colby Jack cheese cubed
Meatloaf Glaze:
Ketchup
Brown sugar
White vinegar
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
How To Make Smoked Meatloaf
Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Begin preparing your meatloaf by mixing together in a mixing bowl, your ground chuck, egg, milk, oatmeal, and onion soup mix. Mix until combined.
If desired, take Colby Jack cheese that has been cut into small cubes and mix them into your meat mixture. Form into your meatloaf shape.
Place your shaped meatloaf on a grill pan with holes, then add to your smoker. Close the lid and smoke your meatloaf until the internal temperature reads approximately 145°F. The amount of time this takes will depend on the size of your meatloaf and the grade of ground meat you are using.
How to make the Meatloaf Glaze
While your meatloaf is smoking, in a small mixing bowl whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Pour this glaze over your meatloaf and allow it to finish cooking for approximately 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of your meatloaf reaches 165°F (recommended) and your sauce is caramelized on top of the meatloaf.
Remove your smoked meatloaf from your smoker and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. Then serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips!
Using Enough Binder. The binders for your meatloaf in this recipe are the eggs and oatmeal. If you are having trouble with your meatloaf falling apart, you will want to add additional eggs, and or oatmeal to your meatloaf before smoking it. This will help you avoid having your meatloaf fall apart on the grill.
Use A Grill Pan. We strongly recommend that you use a grill pan when smoking your meatloaf. Your grill pan should be made of a material such as cast iron and have holes throughout it so that the smoke and heat can still get to your food but your food has smaller holes to fall through.
This is especially important when smoking a meatloaf so that your meatloaf does not fall apart and fall through the grill grates. If you do not have a grill pan, you may want to consider picking one up.
Otherwise, you can use a cast iron skillet to smoke your meatloaf in if you are not able to find a grill pan.
How To Make Meatloaf Moist. First, it’s important to use fatty meat. We strongly recommend that you use ground beef that has a fat content of 80/20 and this will allow your finished meatloaf to turn out nice and moist.
In order for your meatloaf to turn out moist, it’s also important that you follow the recipe, and smoke your meatloaf low and slow. This means that you need to be sure to allow plenty of time for your meatloaf to smoke in case it takes a little longer to fully smoke.
Variations + Substitutions
Not only can you make a delicious smoked meatloaf using our above recipe, but you can also make a few variations on this recipe and still enjoy a delicious smoked meatloaf. Below are a few of our favorite recipe variations.
Smoked Meatloaf with Sweet BBQ Glaze
Our recipe walks you through the step-by-step process of making your own meatloaf glaze if desired. However, you can also use a sweet barbecue sauce as your glaze instead of making your own. Barbecues like Sweet Baby Rays, or honey barbecue sauce work really well for a delicious, sweet barbecue sauce glaze on your meatloaf.
Smoked Meatloaf with Bacon
Another of our favorite ways to make smoked meatloaf is to wrap your smoked meatloaf in bacon and then smoke it. If you choose to wrap your meatloaf with bacon, we may need to use a few toothpicks to hold the bacon in place depending on how you choose to wrap it.
Stuffed Meatloaf
Another way you can mix things up is to adapt the above recipe to be a stuffed meatloaf. We have recommended that you include cubes of cheese throughout the meatloaf, but you could leave that off, and layer your meatloaf so that the cheese is in the very center. Some of our favorite kinds of cheese to use are Colby Jack, or pepper jack for stuffed meatloaf.
You could also add slices of pre-cooked ham in the center, or a brat if you want. Get creative and add your favorite stuffing to your meatloaf. Then simply pinch down the layers so that your ground beef forms an outer layer around your stuffing, and it does not leak, then smoke according to the instructions above.
Make Ahead + Leftovers
If you’re looking to get a jumpstart on your meal, you can also make the meatloaf ahead of time. However, we recommend shaping the meatloaf, and assembling it, but hold off on smoking the meatloaf until the day you are ready to eat it. This will give you the best results.
To make meatloaf ahead of time you can combine your meatloaf ingredients, and shape your meatloaf. Then, place it into an airtight container, and refrigerate or freeze it until you are ready to use it. For a longer amount of time you’re going to want to freeze it, if you are simply making it the day before, you can keep it in the refrigerator and smoke it the next day.
Reheating
To reheat any leftover meatloaf, you can reheat it in various ways, however, we think the best result is when you reheat your meatloaf in the oven. To reheat your meatloaf in the oven, place it in a casserole dish, and cover with aluminum foil. Preheat your oven to 350°F and warm your meatloaf until your meatloaf is warm all the way through.
Storage Information
Room Temperature. Your smoked meatloaf should be kept at room temperature no longer than two hours when the room temperature is between 40°F and 90°F. If your room temperature is 90°F or above then your smoked meatloaf should be kept at room temperature for no more than one hour before it goes bad.
Refrigerating. Smoked meatloaf that is stored in the refrigerator may last for up to 3 to 4 days if stored properly. To store in your refrigerator, wrap your meatloaf in a plastic storage bag, or seal it in an airtight container.
Freezing. You can also keep smoked meatloaf in the freezer for longer amounts of time. To freeze your smoked meatloaf, place it into an airtight container, steal it in a plastic freezer bag, or wrap it in freezer paper, then place it into the freezer at 0°F or below for up to six months.
What to Serve with Smoked Meatloaf
There are many sides that you can serve along with smoked meatloaf. Some of our favorite sides are ones you can simply add to the smoker along with your meatloaf. Below are our favorite recipes.
Type of Wood to Use
There are several different kinds of wood you can use when smoking your meatloaf, such as cherry, apple, or maple woods. However, you can also use pecan or oak, you may also enjoy a composition blend or barbecue blend for smoked meatloaf.
No Pellet Smoker Needed
Did you know that you do not have to have a pellet or wood chips smoker in order to make smoked recipes?! You can make this recipe using a normal grill, such as a propane or charcoal grill.
All you must do to get the delicious smoky flavor in your grill is use a tube smoker and fill it with your desired pellets. You can get smoker box inserts for your grill as well. This allows you to make delicious smoked recipes without having to spend the big bucks to get an actual smoker.
FAQ
Can I smoke a Meatloaf?
Absolutely! Smoked meatloaf is an easy and delicious way to enjoy making meatloaf recipes, but anyone can make and enjoy.
How long do you cook Meatloaf for?
The amount of time it takes to cook your meatloaf depends on how many pounds of meat you use, and what temperature you end up smoking your meatloaf. A good rule of thumb is to estimate that a 2 pound meatloaf will take approximately four hours to completely smoke at 225°F, however please allow extra time in case you need more.
Can you reheat Meatloaf?
Yes, you can reheat a meatloaf in the microwave, on a grill, or in the oven, however, we prefer reheating your meatloaf in the oven for best results.
Can I double this recipe for smoked meatloaf?
Absolutely! You can double this recipe for smoked meatloaf if you need more to feed all the people you are serving. Please keep in mind that when you double this recipe, you will need to increase the cooking time as well. Or you can double the recipe but create two separate meatloaves, this will allow you to keep the smoking time approximately the same.
Can you freeze Meatloaf?
Yes, you can freeze meatloaf for up to six months. To freeze, transfer it to an air tight container, or seal it in a plastic bag and freeze at 0°F or below.
What Type of Meat is Meatloaf?
We recommend using ground beef to make your meatloaf, however, you can also use ground turkey or ground pork, or a combination of these meats if desired. However, if you are using ground turkey make sure that the internal temperature of your meatloaf reaches at least 165°F, and at least 145°F for ground pork.
Should you cover the meatloaf while cooking it?
When you are smoking your meatloaf, we recommend smoking it uncovered, and on a grill pan with holes. However, when you are reheating meatloaf, we do recommend that you cover it. You can also cover your meatloaf while it is smoking if you wish for the internal temperature to rise faster or to prevent your meatloaf from absorbing too much of a smoky flavor.
Can I make this smoked meatloaf in the oven?
Yes, you can use our smoked meatloaf recipe and bake it in the oven. To do this, you will prepare the meatloaf as instructed above, then bake your meatloaf at 350°F for approximately one hour or until the internal temperature of your meatloaf reaches 165°F. Keep in mind that when you bake your meatloaf in the oven, it will not have a smoky flavor.
How long does smoked meatloaf last in the fridge?
Smoked meatloaf that is stored in the fridge in an airtight container, or sealed in a plastic storage bag will last approximately 3 to 4 days.
What To Do With Leftover Meatloaf?
There are many different things you can make with leftover smoked meatloaf. Some of our favorites include shepherd’s pie, beef Manhattan, and chili.
Easy Smoked Meatloaf
Making our smoked meatloaf recipe is so easy to do, anyone can do it. Simply follow our easy recipe and step-by-step instructions to make this tasty meal. It’s so good, you have to try it for yourself to taste how delicious it is!
Did you try this recipe?
If you gave this recipe a try and absolutely loved it, be sure to comment below, leave us a five-star review, or tag us on social media with a picture. We love to see how these recipes worked out for you! Plus, we love to share amazing food with you, and hope that you will like it as much as we do!
For more posts like this one, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Before you go, be sure to subscribe to our email newsletter so that you never missed a delicious recipe or helpful kitchen tip!
The Best Smoked Meatloaf of All Time!
Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds 80/20 Ground Beef you can also use ground turkey or ground pork, or a mixture of these meets of desired
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Oatmeal
- 1 packet Onion or Onion and Mushroom soup mix
- Colby Jack cheese cubed
Meatloaf Glaze:
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp White vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
- Begin preparing your meatloaf by mixing together in a mixing bowl, your ground chuck, egg, milk, oatmeal, and onion soup mix. Mix until combined.
- If desired, take Colby Jack cheese that has been cut into small cubes and mix them into your meat mixture. Form into your meatloaf shape.
- Place your shaped meatloaf on a grill pan with holes, then add to your smoker. Close the lid and smoke your meatloaf until the internal temperature reads approximately 145°F. the amount of time those tags will depend on the size of your meatloaf, what grade of ground meat you are using, and
- While your meatloaf is smoking, small mixing bowl whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Pour this glaze over your meatloaf and allow it to finish cooking for approximately 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of your meatloaf reaches 165°F(recommended) and your sauce is caramelized on top of the meatloaf.
- Move your smoked meatloaf from your smoker and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. Then serve and enjoy!
Video
PIN This Recipe For Later
