Introduction

Best BBQ Meatloaf is juicy, smoky-sweet, and packed with comfort—tender ground beef baked with savory seasonings and finished with a sticky barbecue glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. This crowd-pleasing twist on classic meatloaf delivers bold flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, leftovers, or meal prep.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Moist, tender meatloaf every time
Sweet-and-smoky BBQ glaze
Simple pantry ingredients
Easy to slice and reheat
Family-friendly comfort food

Ingredients (serves 6–8)

Meatloaf

2 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
1 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
2 large eggs
¾ cup milk
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

BBQ Glaze

¾ cup BBQ sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp yellow or Dijon mustard

Essential Tools and Equipment

Large mixing bowl
9×13-inch baking dish or loaf pan
Parchment paper or foil
Silicone spatula

Step-by-step process (detailed)

1. Preheat and prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking dish with parchment or lightly grease a loaf pan.

2. Mix the meatloaf base

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently just until combined—overmixing leads to dense meatloaf.

3. Shape

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and shape into a loaf, smoothing the top.

4. Make the glaze

In a small bowl, whisk BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth.

5. Glaze generously

Spread half of the BBQ glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.

6. Bake

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

7. Add final glaze

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top.

8. Finish baking

Return to oven and bake 15–20 minutes more, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and glaze is sticky.

9. Rest and slice

Let the meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

Mistakes to avoid

Overmixing the meat — tough texture
Lean beef only — dry meatloaf
Skipping rest time — crumbly slices
Too much glaze early — burning
Cutting too soon — juices escape

Variations of Best BBQ Meatloaf

Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf — add 1 cup shredded cheddar
Turkey BBQ Meatloaf — use ground turkey, add extra milk
Spicy BBQ — add cayenne or chipotle powder
Bacon-Wrapped — wrap the loaf with bacon strips
Mini Meatloaves — bake in a muffin tin for faster cooking

Tips for storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
Freeze cooked slices up to 3 months
Reheat covered to keep moist
Assemble raw meatloaf up to 24 hours ahead

Frequently Asked Questions

What BBQ sauce works best?
A thick, smoky-sweet sauce caramelizes best.

Can I use a loaf pan?
Yes—drain excess fat halfway through baking.

How do I keep it moist?
Use milk, eggs, and 80/20 beef; don’t overbake.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes—use two pans and bake separately.

Conclusion

Best BBQ Meatloaf takes a comfort classic and turns it bold and irresistible. Juicy inside, sticky on top, and full of smoky-sweet flavor, this meatloaf is dependable, satisfying, and guaranteed to earn repeat requests.