Smoked Meatloaf is a great way to twist on your favorite comfort food by making it outdoors on the Traeger. Super simple and delicious!
Guess what? Your beloved classic meatloaf is getting a smoky makeover! I’m so excited to share with you my personal secret to boosting the humble meatloaf – it’s all about the magic of the smoker.
This smoked meatloaf recipe is dear to my heart, and trust me, the blend of traditional ingredients with an enticing hint of smoky flavor will make your taste buds sing. So let’s get smoking!
Smoked meatloaf is a delicious and straightforward way to elevate your cooking. It takes the classic meatloaf and infuses it with a beautiful smoky flavor. You and your family will absolutely love what the smoker does to this time honored meal.
With this easy smoked meatloaf recipe in your arsenal, you’re all set to impress at your next family dinner or backyard barbecue. Happy smoking!
Common Questions About Smoked Meatloaf
What type of ground meat is best for smoked meatloaf?
You can use ground beef, ground pork, or a mixture of ground beef and pork for the best smoked meatloaf. Each provides a distinct flavor, and combining them will give you the most flavorful meatloaf.
How do I get the juiciest meatloaf possible?
There are a couple of things to remember here. First, beef fat is your friend. I recommend 20%-fat ground beef, like ground chuck. Second, remember that the bread crumbs are there to hold that fat inside the meat loaf.
You want somewhere around a 15-20% ratio of bread crumbs to the rest of the mixture. Last, don’t overcook it! When your loaf hits the done temperature, take it out.
How do I know when the meatloaf is done?
The best way to know is by checking the internal temperature of the meatloaf. It should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically takes about 1 ½ hours at 325 degrees. A digital thermometer is a great tool to monitor this.
Storage
I love leftover meatloaf. It’s really one of the best things about cooking it. With this easy meatloaf recipe, I’ll have smoked meat for days!
Refrigerator
Keep your leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for about 3-4 days.
Freezer
If you want to store it longer, you can freeze the smoked meatloaf. Ensure it’s fully cooled before transferring it to a plastic wrap or airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips
Got your meat thermometer ready? Here are a few pointers to help you make the best meatloaf you’ve ever had!
- Use your hands to combine the ingredients. Overworking the mixture with utensils can result in a less juicy meatloaf.
- Using a digital thermometer to monitor the meatloaf’s internal temperature ensures perfect doneness.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider creating a bacon weave around your meatloaf before smoking it.
- Always cook to temperature, not timing – the thickness of the meat and individual smoker factors determine doneness.
Ingredients
It’s up to you whether you want lean ground beef or not. Keep in mind that this will determine the juiciness of your meatloaf!
- Ground beef
- Eggs
- Bread crumbs
- Heavy cream
- Dried minced onions
- Seasoned salt
- Granulated garlic
- Black pepper
- Ketchup (or your favorite sauce for the top)
How to Make Smoked Meatloaf
Don’t skimp on the sauce! Make sure you have your favorite sauce to slather over the top of the meatloaf. This is gonna be awesome!
- Preheat the smoker to 325 degrees.
- While the smoker is preheating, combine the beef, eggs, bread crumbs, heavy cream, minced onions, seasoned salt, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Work the ingredients together with your hands until just combined. Don’t overwork the mixture, as this makes the meatloaf tough and less juicy.
- Form the mixture into a loaf-shape.
- You can either place it on a wire rack or place it in a disposable baking tin with holes poked into the bottom. This keeps you from having to transfer the loaf onto the smoker grate and risk it falling apart in the process.
- Place the wire rack or the disposable tin on the smoker grate and allow the meatloaf to smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. This should take about 1 ½ hours.
- When the meatloaf is almost done, brush on your desired sauce – if using. You want it to have some time to smoke and glaze in the final few minutes of smoking.
- Remove from the smoker and slice and serve immediately.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Smoked Meatloaf
We want to make this classic comfort food as simple as possible for you. Soon you’ll have good reason to save this recipe card for future meals!
- Large mixing bowl
- Wire rack or disposable baking tin
- Smoker
- Digital thermometer
- Basting brush (if using sauce)
What to Serve With Smoked Meatloaf
Imagine this: a slice of juicy smoked meatloaf cozied up next to creamy mashed potatoes, each forkful a burst of flavor. Or, imagine the meatloaf sharing the plate with crispy green beans, the perfect contrast to its smoky richness.
And let’s not forget a fresh, crisp salad, with its cool crunch offering a delightful counterpoint to the warm, indulgent meatloaf. Each bite, a wonderful balance of flavor. Delicious, right?
Why You Should Make Smoked Meatloaf
In my humble opinion, any excuse to smoke meat should be jumped on! Just the aroma of the smoker filling my yard is worth the effort!
- Smoking adds an amazing depth of flavor to the classic dish.
- You can control the flavor and smokiness by choosing different wood chips for your smoker.
- It’s an easy smoked meatloaf recipe that takes comfort food to the next level.
- Smoking the meatloaf creates a perfect smoke ring and a juicy inside.
Variations and Add-Ins for Smoked Meatloaf
Feel free to add things to the meat mixture and make this recipe all your own!
- Add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or onions to your meatloaf mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Experiment with different sauces, such as barbecue sauce or chili sauce, for a unique flavor profile.
- For a spicy kick, try adding red pepper flakes to your meatloaf mixture.
If you love this easy smoked meatloaf recipe, you’re going to love these other smoker recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Smoked Beef Recipes
The Easiest Smoked Tri-Tip Roast
If you love this recipe for Smoked Meatloaf as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!
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Smoked Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 eggs – whisked
- ½ cup bread crumbs – or you can use almond flour to keep this low-carb
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp dried minced onions
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup ketchup you can use sugar-free ketchup too – – bbq sauce or other favorite sauce for the top – if desired.
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 325 degrees.
- While the smoker is preheating, combine the beef, eggs, bread crumbs, heavy cream, minced onions, seasoned salt, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Work the ingredients together with your hands until just combined. Don’t overwork the mixture as this makes the meatloaf tough and less juicy.
- Form the mixture into a loaf-shape.
- You can either place it on a wire rack or place it in a disposable baking tin with holes poked into the bottom. This keeps you from having to transfer the loaf onto the smoker grate and risk it falling apart in the process.
- Place the wire rack or the disposable tin on the smoker grate and allow the meatloaf to smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. This should take about 1 ½ hours.
- When the meatloaf is almost done, brush on your desired sauce – if using. You want it to have some time to smoke and glaze in the final few minutes of smoking.
- Remove from the smoker and slice and serve immediately.
Equipment
- electric smoker
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Beth says
I thoroughly loved this meatloaf. I make meatloaf for the family all the time, so it was nice to do something a little different with it.
Catalina says
This Smoked Meatloaf recipe has changed the way I think about meatloaf forever! The smoky flavor took it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Allyson Zea says
This is so tasty and easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!
Janelle says
Oh. My. Goodness. I’ve never had smoked meatloaf. This stuff was sooooooo good!
April says
Loved this! Seriously the best meatloaf ever, great flavor!
Katerina Petrovska says
This smoked meatloaf turned out amazing! It’s definitely a recipe I’ll be making again, perfect for impressing guests or just enjoying a comforting, elevated version of a classic dish.
Beti Micevska says
This was incredible!! Everyone loved the smoky taste and said it was the best meatloaf they’ve ever had. It’s a special twist on a classic dish that I’ll definitely make again.