This BBQ Meatloaf has barbecue sauce blended into the meat and also used as a glaze. Smoked paprika amps up the smoky flavor. Finely chopped mushrooms keep the loaf moist, while also making it healthier.

two slices of barbecued beef meatloaf with barbecue sauce on them, with mashed potatoes and broccoli

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Why We Love This BBQ Meatloaf

This recipe is great for a casual family meal. Serve it with a side of roasted potatoes and a fresh salad for a delicious, nutritious meal.

Recipe Highlights

  • To make this meatloaf healthier I use lean ground beef and keep it moist and delicious by adding finely chopped mushrooms.
  • The leftovers are amazing. Serve sliced meatloaf on a sandwich with mayo and lettuce.
  • Only takes about 10 minutes to make this meatloaf and get it into the oven. The rest of the time for this recipe is inactive.

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Key Ingredients For This BBQ Meatloaf Recipe

mushrooms in a blue foam tray
  • Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves.
  • Kosher Salt & Ground Pepper
  • Egg
  • Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce. I look for one with little added sugar or sodium. The smokier the better in my opinion.
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Fresh Thyme: you can use dried thyme instead. Substitute 1/2 teaspoon dried for the 1 teaspoon of fresh.
  • Mushrooms: Either white or crimini mushrooms need to be finely chopped. They give the meatloaf extra moisture.
  • Plain Dry Bread Crumbs: Bread crumbs add moisture to the meatloaf. Preferably use whole-wheat (such as Jaclyn’s) although white is fine too. You can also use gluten-free bread crumbs if that’s of concern.
  • Lean Ground Beef: I often use grass-fed beef here, which I love, and which tends to be lean. Look for beef that is at least 92% lean for this recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make This Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce

Step 1: Preheat oven

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and coat lightly with cooking spray.

Step 2: Make meatloaf mixture

Chop the garlic and sprinkle with salt. Smash with the side of a chef’s knife to form a paste. Place garlic paste in a large bowl, then add egg, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme and pepper and whisk until smooth. Stir in mushrooms and breadcrumbs, then gently knead beef into the breadcrumb mixture with clean hands until thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Shape & bake meatloaf

Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape on the parchment, about 4 inches wide by 9 inches long. Spread the remaining barbecue sauce over the top of the meatloaf. Bake until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes.

Use a Meat Thermometer: When you think it is about done, after say, 30 or 35 minutes, get out your instant-read thermometer and insert it into the center of the meatloaf.  It may need a few more minutes, but you’ll know where you stand.  You’re aiming to pull it out of the oven at 160 degrees F, and let it rest for at least 5 minutes; the temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees.  That gives you a perfect juicy 165-degree meatloaf. 

Step 4: Rest & serve BBQ meatloaf

Let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.

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FAQs and Expert Tips For Barbecue Meatloaf

Make Ahead Instructions:

To make meatloaf ahead, prepare the meatloaf and shape it into a loaf 1 to 2 days ahead of time. Cover and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake

Storage Instructions:

To store leftover meatloaf, let it cool to room temperature. Wrap it in foil or place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the meatloaf in the microwave until just warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes.

Can you freeze meatloaf?

Yes, you can freeze meatloaf for 3 to 6 months. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, place it in a plastic bag, and store it in the freezer. To properly thaw, either thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave, which usually takes about 10 minutes for a 2-pound meatloaf

More Comfort Food Recipes to Try

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Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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two slices of barbecued beef meatloaf with barbecue sauce on them, with mashed potatoes and broccoli

BBQ Meatloaf Recipe

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This BBQ Meatloaf has barbecue sauce blended into the meat and also used as a glaze. Smoked paprika amps up the smoky flavor. Finely chopped mushrooms keep the loaf moist, while also making it healthier.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 
½ teaspoon salt
  • 
1 large egg
  • 
4 tablespoons barbecue sauce, divided
  • 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 
1 teaspoon paprika, preferably smoked
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 ½ cups finely chopped white or crimini mushrooms
  • ¾ cups dry plain bread crumbs, preferably whole-wheat, such as Jaclyn’s
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef, preferably grass-fed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Coat lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Chop garlic and sprinkle salt over it. Smash with the side of a chef’s knife to form a paste. Place garlic paste in a large bowl. Add egg, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme and pepper and whisk until smooth. Stir in mushrooms and breadcrumbs. Gently knead beef into the breadcrumb mixture with clean hands until thoroughly combined.
  3. Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape on the parchment, about 4 inches wide by 9 inches long. Spread the remaining barbecue sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes.
  4. Let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Cooking Tip: When you think it is about done, after say, 30 or 35 minutes, get out your instant-read thermometer and insert it into the center of the meatloaf.  It may need a few more minutes, but you’ll know where you stand.  You’re aiming to pull it out of the oven at 160 degrees F, and let it rest for at least 5 minutes; the temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees.  That gives you a perfect juicy 165-degree meatloaf.  

 

1 g Added Sugar, 92 mg Cholesterol

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5 1/2 ounces
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 539 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 19 g

Keywords: Barbecue Meatloaf,BBQ meatloaf

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