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Best Homemade Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe

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This meatloaf features a brown sugar glaze mixed directly into the meat, creating sweet, caramelized pockets in every bite. It’s a one-bowl, pantry-friendly comfort food that’s perfect for weeknights or Sunday dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ½ 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
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan or baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Heat a small pan over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Let cool.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, and Dijon mustard.
  5. Add breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and thyme to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Let sit for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add ground beef and cooled onion-garlic mixture. Gently mix with your hands until just combined (about 20 seconds).
  7. Pour about half of the brown sugar glaze into the meat mixture and mix gently until incorporated.
  8. Transfer mixture to prepared pan or shape into a loaf on baking sheet. Do not press down too firmly. Shape into a rounded dome.
  9. Brush remaining glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf. Reserve a little for brushing halfway through baking if desired.
  10. Bake for 50-60 minutes. At 30 minutes, brush on any reserved glaze. Meatloaf is done when internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) in the center.
  11. Let meatloaf rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t skip sautéing the onions—raw onions can make the meatloaf soggy. Use a light touch when mixing to avoid a dense texture. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to keep it from crumbling. For a free-form loaf, shape on a rimmed baking sheet for more caramelized edges. If the glaze gets too dark, tent with foil for the last 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, comfort food, ground beef, easy dinner

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/best-homemade-meatloaf-with-brown-sugar-glaze-recipe/