BBQ Beef Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (Print Version)

Savory beef loaf wrapped in bacon and glazed with smoky BBQ sauce for a crispy, flavorful crust.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 2 lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend
02 - 12 slices streaky bacon

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Binders & Fillers

05 - 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Sauces & Condiments

08 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for glazing
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into a loaf approximately 9 x 5 inches and place on the prepared baking sheet or in the loaf pan.
04 - Lay the bacon strips over the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to wrap completely.
05 - Brush the top of the bacon with a generous layer of BBQ sauce.
06 - Bake for 50 minutes. Remove from oven, brush with more BBQ sauce, and return to oven for another 10–15 minutes until bacon is crisp and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
07 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The bacon keeps everything incredibly moist while creating this gorgeous caramelized exterior
  • My usually skeptical about meatloaf father in law actually went back for seconds
02 -
  • Overmixing the meat makes the texture weird and spongy, trust me on this one
  • The bacon shrinks as it cooks, so tuck the ends under pretty thoroughly
03 -
  • Letting the meatloaf rest is non negotiable for holding its shape when sliced
  • Put a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips and save your oven from a mess

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