Smoked Meatloaf

Take this comfort food to new heights with this smoked meatloaf recipe. The combination of smoky flavor, savory bacon, and spicy jalapeno is truly a taste sensation!

Why this recipe works

• Delicious and satisfying: A properly smoked meatloaf is super flavorful!
• Versatility: This smoked meatloaf can be tailored to your preferences and dietary needs (low-carb option). You can choose the type of ground meat, such as lean beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or a combination. 
• Meal prep and leftovers: We’ve all been there. Weekly menu planning requires thinking ahead. This meatloaf is an easy way to do this. Pair it with your favorite sides like baked potatoes and green bean bundles.

Smoked meatloaf facts

• Meat: This recipe calls for a combination of ground beef, ground pork, and bacon. I recommend using 80/20 ground beef and regular cut bacon for this recipe. If you choose to grind your pork, use the meat from a pork butt, and grind the bacon into it. It will streamline the process, and once the beef and pork are combined, the flavors will come together as it cooks.
• Be gentle when combining the meat. Overmixing can lead to a tougher, compact meatloaf. Not an ideal combo. Instead, fold the meat to distribute all of the ingredients.
• Filler: This grilled meatloaf recipe calls for plain breadcrumbs, but you can also use low carb options like almond flour or crushed pork rinds (pork panko). Adjust for salt content, as some pork rind products contain sodium.
• Ketchup: Any good quality ketchup works for this recipe You can also use organic unsweetened ketchup for the meatloaf topping.

Wood Suggestions

Use pecan, hickory, maple, or cherry wood for this smoked meatloaf recipe. They work well with most eats and produce the best results. If you have a favorite wood combo, then please use that instead! We always encourage our readers to use what works best for them. After all, you know your tastes better than anyone else!

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs (sub with almond flour or pork panko for low-carb option)
• Egg
• Onion (white or yellow)
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Garlic 
• Bacon
• Jalapeno 
• Ketchup
• Mustard powder (sub with yellow mustard)
• Brown sugar
• Ground nutmeg

Making Smoked Meatloaf

• Preheat the pellet grill to 275 degrees F.
• Saute onion and diced jalapeno in a medium skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
• Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring often.
• Remove from heat and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
• Combine the ground beef, pork, bread crumbs, egg, onion, bacon, garlic, cheese, and jalapeno in a large bowl. 
• Place the meatloaf mixture into a 9 x 9 aluminum tray and form into an evenly shaped loaf.
• Combine ketchup, brown sugar, mustard powder and ground nutmeg in a bowl.
• Apply the mixture on the top of the meatloaf.
• Place the pan on the grill or smoker, close the lid and cook for 1 1/2 hours or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature between 160-165 degrees F.
• Remove the smoked meatloaf from the grill, and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Meatloaf sandwiches

Make delicious sandwiches using leftover meatloaf. Coat grilled meatloaf slices with a little oil and pan fry or grill each side for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until warmed through and a nice crust has formed. Assemble sandwiches with pickles, onions, and lettuce. Enjoy!

Side dish recommendations

Serve this smoked meatloaf for lunch or dinner with one or more of these delicious side dishes.

• Grilled Zucchini Skins
• Pellet Grill Funeral Potatoes
• Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Old Fashioned Skillet Cornbread
• Easy Grilled Cauliflower

Smoked Meatloaf

Take this comfort food to new heights with this smoked meatloaf recipe. The combination of smoky flavor, savory bacon, and spicy jalapeno is truly a taste sensation!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American BBQ

Keyword: meatloaf, pellet grill recipes

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours

Servings: 6 People

Calories: 490kcal

Author: Derrick Riches

Equipment

• Equipment: 1 9 x 9 aluminum tray
• Pellet Grill

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 80/20
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 large egg lightly beaten
• 1 small white onion peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 strips bacon diced
• 1 small jalapeno seeded and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt use less if desired
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For topping:

• 1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder sub with 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Preheat the pellet grill to 275 degrees F.
• Saute onion and diced jalapeno in a medium skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
• Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring often.
• Remove from heat and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
• Combine the ground beef, pork, bread crumbs, egg, onion, bacon, garlic, cheese, and jalapeno in a large bowl.
• Place the meatloaf mixture into a 9 x 9 aluminum tray and form into an evenly shaped loaf.
• Combine ketchup, brown sugar, mustard powder and ground nutmeg in a bowl.
• Apply the mixture on the top of the meatloaf.
• Place the pan on the grill or smoker, close the lid and cook for 1 1/2 hours or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature between 160-165 degrees F.
• Remove the smoked meatloaf from the grill, and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 545mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 3mg