Smoky Paula Deen BBQ Meatloaf Recipe for Ultimate Flavor

Paula Deen’s BBQ meatloaf bursts with Southern charm, transforming humble ground meat into a flavor-packed sensation.

This legendary recipe weaves comfort and excitement onto your dinner plate.

Succulent meat melds with a tantalizing barbecue glaze that dances between sweet and smoky notes.

Generations have gathered around tables, celebrating the warmth of this hearty dish.

Each bite tells a story of culinary tradition and family love.

Simple ingredients blend into a masterpiece that turns ordinary meals into extraordinary memories.

The aroma alone will have everyone racing to the kitchen, eager to savor every delectable morsel.

Check out this mouthwatering creation and watch as smiles spread around your table!

BBQ Meatloaf Tips and Substitutes

• Customize Meat Blend: Mix ground beef with ground pork or turkey for a more complex flavor profile and lighter texture.
• Boost Moisture Magic: Add grated zucchini or finely chopped mushrooms to keep the meatloaf incredibly juicy and tender during baking.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with different seasoning combinations like smoked paprika, chili flakes, or herbs such as thyme and rosemary to create unique flavor experiences.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the meatloaf mixture up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. This allows flavors to develop and simplifies weeknight cooking.

Presentation Ideas for Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Serve with Comfort Sides: Pair this hearty meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, or a crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Slice and Garnish: Cut thick, juicy slices and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top to add a pop of color and fresh herbal notes.
• Weekend Family Feast: Perfect for Sunday dinners or casual gatherings, this meatloaf brings warmth and deliciousness that brings everyone together around the table.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining slices into delectable sandwiches the next day, adding extra BBQ sauce or tucking between soft bread for a quick lunch.

Leftover Storage Tips for Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Meal Prepping: Slice meatloaf into individual portions before refrigerating, making grab-and-go meals easier throughout the week.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap cooled meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months without losing taste or texture.
• Reheating Magic: Restore moisture by covering meatloaf with foil when reheating in the oven at 350°F, preventing dryness and maintaining its delectable BBQ-infused tenderness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients to Make Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Ground Beef: Choose lean meat with some fat for juicy texture, freshly ground for best flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Select fine, dry breadcrumbs to help bind ingredients smoothly.
• Egg: Pick fresh, room temperature eggs for better mixture consistency.

• Onion: Select firm, crisp onions without soft spots for maximum crunch and flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt for robust seasoning.

• Tomato Sauce, Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce: Choose organic or high-quality brands for deeper, more complex taste profiles, ensuring balanced sweetness and tanginess.
• Water: Use filtered water if possible for pure sauce flavor.

Kitchen Essentials for BBQ Meatloaf

• Mixing Bowl: Large, spacious container for combining all meatloaf ingredients thoroughly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending BBQ sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Baking Pan: Shallow dish that helps cook meatloaf evenly and collect delicious pan juices.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for accurately portioning ingredients like tomato sauce and breadcrumbs.
• Meat Thermometer: Critical tool to check internal temperature for safe cooking.
• Kitchen Knife: Needed for slicing meatloaf after resting and serving.
• Wooden Spoon or Hands: Great for mixing meat mixture until well combined.

How to Cook Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Fire Up the Culinary Engine

Crank your oven to a toasty 180°C, prepping for a flavor-packed meatloaf experience that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Create the Meaty Magic

Dive into a mixing bowl and combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onions, egg, and seasonings. Get hands messy and blend everything until the mixture hugs itself together like best friends.

• Sculpt Your Masterpiece

Shape the meat mixture into a rustic loaf, nestling it into a baking pan. Smooth the top with tender care, ensuring an even golden landscape.

• Whip Up Saucy Swagger

Craft a killer BBQ sauce by whisking tomato sauce, tangy vinegar, rich brown sugar, zesty Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Let the flavors waltz together into a drool-worthy symphony.

• Drench and Bake

Shower the meatloaf with your homemade sauce, coating every inch with liquid love. Slide into the oven and let magic happen for one delicious hour, basting periodically to keep things juicy and exciting.

• Rest and Reveal

Pull out your masterpiece, let it chill for a few minutes, and slice into tender, sauce-glazed perfection. Serve alongside your favorite sidekicks and prepare for culinary applause.

Hearty Paula Deen BBQ Meatloaf Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s BBQ meatloaf combines tender ground beef with tangy barbecue sauce for a hearty southern-style main dish. Generous glazing and simple preparation make this comfort classic perfect for family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lb (680 g) ground beef
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 diced onion
• 2 8-oz (226 g) cans tomato sauce
• 1 lightly beaten egg
• 3 tbsps vinegar
• 3 tbsps brown sugar
• 2 tbsps dijon mustard
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 tsps salt
• 0.5 tsps pepper
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) water (to thin sauce if necessary)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 180°C / 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the meatloaf to perfection.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, blend ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce until the mixture becomes a uniform, cohesive mass that promises rich flavor and texture.
3. Form and Prepare Loaf: Carefully mold the meat mixture into a compact loaf shape, positioning it in a shallow baking pan that will support its structure during cooking.
4. Craft BBQ Glaze: Whisk together remaining tomato sauce, white vinegar, dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of water to create a vibrant, tangy coating that will elevate the meatloaf’s taste profile.
5. Dress and Bake: Lavishly coat the meatloaf with the prepared BBQ sauce, then slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 1 hour, intermittently basting to ensure maximum moisture and flavor infusion.
6. Check and Rest: Confirm doneness by verifying the internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F). Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest briefly, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring a succulent final result.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the meatloaf into generous portions, presenting a comforting, flavor-packed dish that’s sure to delight diners with its robust BBQ-inspired essence.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose ground beef with 15-20% fat content for a juicier, more flavorful meatloaf that won’t dry out during baking.
• Mixing Magic: Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent a tough, dense texture; gently combine ingredients until just incorporated.
• Sauce Sealing Technique: Apply BBQ sauce in layers during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking to prevent burning and create a caramelized, glossy exterior.
• Resting is Crucial: Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice remains moist and tender.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg