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Slices of thick, glazed Smoked Meatloaf Recipe, served on a white plate alongside a mound of creamy mashed potatoes and charred green beans.

Easy Smoked Meatloaf Recipe: BBQ Lovers' Dream Dish

By Nancy
Learn how to make the juiciest smoked meatloaf Recipe with our step-by-step. Tender, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress your family and friends
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, BBQ
Servings 8
Calories 385 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend works perfectly
  • 1 large onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 cup ketchup

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, finely diced onion, minced garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and your seasonings.
    Using clean hands or a sturdy spoon, gently mix everything until just combined.
    A stainless steel mixing bowl filled with raw ground meat, chopped onions, ketchup, spices, eggs, breadcrumbs, seasonings, a spoonful of Worcestershire sauce, milk, and chopped tomatoes

Step 2: Shape the Meatloaf

  • Form the meat mixture into an even loaf about 2 inches thick. Instead of placing it in a loaf pan.
    Place the loaf on a sheet of parchment paper, a grill-safe tray, or directly onto the smoker grate if you’re comfortable handling it.
    A large stainless steel mixing bowl filled with raw, seasoned ground meat mixture for smoked meatloaf, showing visible pieces of diced onions blended throughout, set on a light marble countertop.

Step 3: Preheat the Smoker

  • Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Choose hardwoods like hickory, oak, pecan, or cherry for a balanced smoky flavor
    raw, seasoned ground meatloaf mixed with chopped onions, shaped and resting on brown parchment paper inside a metal baking pan over a marble surface.

Step 4: Smoke the Meatloaf

  • Place the meatloaf into the smoker and close the lid. Let it cook undisturbed for about 3-4 hours, maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process.
    golden-brown smoked meatloaf packed with visible pieces of chopped onion, resting on parchment paper inside a metal baking pan over a marble countertop.

Step 5: Brush with BBQ Glaze

  • When the internal temperature reaches about 145°F, generously brush your favorite barbecue sauce or homemade glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf.
    Return it to the smoker for another 20 to 30 minutes
    A large, glossy smoked meatloaf coated in a thick, dark BBQ glaze, resting on parchment paper inside a metal baking pan

Step 6: Finish Cooking and Rest

  • Continue smoking until the thickest part of the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
    Remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
    A thick, juicy smoked meatloaf coated in a glossy barbecue glaze, sliced to reveal a tender interior with visible onions, resting on parchment paper in a metal roasting pan.

Notes

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 385
  • Protein: 28g
  • Total Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sodium: 720mg
Keyword Smoked Meatloaf Recipe: