Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food. But imagine how much it is smoked!
If you have a Traeger and want to try your hand at smoked meatloaf, here is your chance.
This twist on the traditional meatloaf recipe will have your mouth watering! With a hint of smoky flavor and a delicious glaze it will become one of your favorite dishes.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
This is my favorite meatloaf recipe. It comes together so easily and then you just need to throw it on the smoker.
It’s also a pretty easy recipe. Prepare it ahead of time and then cook it when you’re ready!
While regular meatloaf is perfectly fine, it’s always fun to change things up a bit! The slight smoke flavor adds a fun twist.
What Temperature to Smoke Meatloaf
You can cook this meatloaf at 250°F – 300°F. About halfway through, we’ll increase the temperature to 350°F.
This recipe has so much flavor that we don’t need to cook it low and slow. There will be plenty of flavors even if you only cook it for a couple of hours.
What You Need for Smoked Meatloaf
The Meatloaf:
- Lean ground beef or venison
- Ground pork
- Bacon cubed and then cooked
- Eggs whisked
- Panko bread crumbs
- Milk
- Lawry’s season salt
- Garlic powder
- Celery salt
- Black pepper ground
- Large yellow onion chopped
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
The Sauce:
- Barbecue sauce or ketchup
- Mustard
How Long to Smoke Meatloaf
You need to smoke the meatloaf for about 2 hours. The meat will cook about halfway through, then we’ll increase the cooking temperature.
The important thing is that it reaches a safe temperature of 160°F.
How Do You Make Smoked Meatloaf?
You can either prepare the meatloaf ahead of time and refrigerate them or make them on the day.
Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, and other ingredients. If it’s too dry, add some extra liquid. Most people would add another egg or some sauce.
Mold the meat into loaf shapes. Some people prefer smaller loaves for quicker cook times. Other people like bigger loaves for aesthetic purposes.
Refrigerate the meatloaf mixture on a covered baking sheet for up to 24 hours.
Then you will smoke it until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a meat thermometer to know when it is ready.
Mix barbecue sauce and mustard to make a glaze. Cover the meatloaf with the glaze and warm it up.
Then it’s time to serve and enjoy! You don’t even need to let the meatloaf rest.
Best Wood Chips For Traeger Smoked Meatloaf
Oak, hickory, and mesquite wood chips are great for smoking a juicy meatloaf.
These hardwoods have bold flavors that compliment the meatloaf ingredients well.
Recipe For Traeger Smoked Meatloaf
Step 1: Prepare the Meatloaf
Mix all the meatloaf ingredients the day before cooking it. If it seems a bit dry, add some barbecue sauce.
Do not over-mix the ingredients. Shape the meat mixture into two loaves. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Step 2: Smoke the Meatloaf
Preheat the smoker between 250°F – 300°F.
Optional: add barbecue rub or seasoning mix to the outside of the meatloaf.
Step 3: Finish the Meatloaf
Mix the sauce and mustard. After an hour of smoking, coat the meatloaf with the glaze.
Increase the heat to 350°F.
You can add more meatloaf glaze as many times as you’d like.
Smoke the meatloaf until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a meat thermometer to measure. Then remove from heat and serve.
What To Serve With Smoked Meatloaf
Some of my favorite things to serve with meatloaf are;
How To Store Leftover Smoked Meatloaf
Refrigerate the leftover meatloaf in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze the leftovers in a freezer-proof container for longer.
How To Reheat Leftover Smoked Meatloaf
You can reheat leftover meatloaf in a variety of ways. The easiest method is to use the microwave.
However, you can use the air fryer, oven, stovetop, or even the grill. Do whatever is most convenient for you!
How to Use Leftover Meatloaf
You can eat the leftover meatloaf plain. Or you can make meatloaf sandwiches. This is an amazing way to use up leftovers!
While there’s nothing wrong with classic meatloaf recipes, this recipe is worth trying. It may be a bit different from what you’re used to, but you’ll love it!
Smoked Meatloaf On A Traeger
Equipment
- Traeger Grill
- Wood Chips of choice
Ingredients
- 2 lb lean ground beef or venison
- 2 lb ground pork
- 8 oz bacon cubed and then cooked
- 4 eggs whisked
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tsp Lawry’s season salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp black pepper ground
- 1 cup Barbecue sauce or ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatloaf
- Mix all the meatloaf ingredients the day before cooking it. If it seems a bit dry, add some barbecue sauce.
- Do not over-mix the ingredients. Shape the meat mixture into two loaves. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Step 2: Smoke the Meatloaf
- Preheat the smoker between 250°F – 300°F.
- Optional: add barbecue rub or seasoning mix to the outside of the meatloaf.
Step 3: Finish the Meatloaf
- Mix the sauce and mustard. After an hour of smoking, coat the meatloaf with the glaze.
- Increase the heat to 350°F.
- You can add more meatloaf glaze as many times as you’d like.
- Smoke the meatloaf until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a meat thermometer to measure. Then remove from heat and serve.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling adventures with you!
You can read more on our About Us page.
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