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Best Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe – Easy Dinner Idea

brown sugar glazed meatloaf - featured image

This brown sugar glazed meatloaf features a sticky, sweet crust that contrasts perfectly with the savory, juicy meatloaf underneath. It’s a crowd-pleasing dinner idea made with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line your loaf pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup (optional).
  2. Make the brown sugar glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer, about 3-4 minutes. Let it bubble for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the aromatics: In a medium skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  4. Combine the wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until well combined. Add the Worcestershire sauce and whisk again.
  5. Mix the meatloaf base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, sautéed onions and garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Pour the milk-egg mixture over the top. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined (about 30 seconds).
  6. Shape and glaze: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press it gently into an even shape. Spread about 1/3 cup of the brown sugar glaze evenly over the top, letting some drip down the sides. Reserve the remaining glaze.
  7. Bake: Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes at 350°F. After 45 minutes, remove from the oven and spread another 1/4 cup of glaze over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  8. Rest and serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Slice and serve with the remaining glaze on the side.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to avoid a dense texture. Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness (160°F). Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. Double the glaze for extra serving. Line the pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar glazed meatloaf, easy meatloaf recipe, dinner idea, comfort food, ground beef recipe, crowd-pleaser