“Deliciously Savory: Indulge in the Irresistible Flavor of Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf. Perfectly seasoned ground meat enveloped in smoky bacon, this mouthwatering dish is a true sensation for meat lovers. Discover the ultimate comfort food with a delectable twist that will leave you craving for more. Get ready to savor every bite of this heavenly creation!”
Smoked Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
This Traeger smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf is the perfect combination of smokiness, spiciness, and sweetness. It’s a winning meal for the entire family. The mixture of bacon, cheese, and ground meat makes it incredibly hearty and satisfying. The bacon keeps the meatloaf moist while it smokes on the Traeger. And the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce glaze takes it to another level.
This recipe requires just a bit of prep work but is easy enough to make on a weeknight. It pairs perfectly with sides like crispy baked potatoes or air fryer broccoli. But you can also get creative and serve it with smoked bacon-wrapped asparagus, Traeger smoked au gratin potatoes, or air fryer cherry tomatoes.
The key to making this smoked meatloaf moist and flavorful is using high-fat meat and saltine crackers. The fat content in the meat prevents it from drying out on the smoker or pellet grill, while the crackers act as binders and help hold everything together as it cooks.
You can customize this recipe by using ground turkey instead of beef and pork for a leaner option. You can also replace the saltine crackers with Panko breadcrumbs or quick-cook oats for a gluten-free alternative.
Once cooked, you can enjoy this smoked meatloaf in various ways. It’s great for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, or simply on its own! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheated in an air fryer.
- Grated onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Eggs
- Onion soup mix
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Saltine crackers or breadcrumbs
- Ground beef
- Ground pork sausage
- Thin-cut bacon
- Preheat the Traeger or pellet grill to 225°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, eggs, onion soup mix, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Add saltine crackers or breadcrumbs to the mixture and let them soak for 5 minutes.
- Crumble the ground beef and pork sausage into the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf on the lined baking sheet.
- Wrap thin-cut bacon slices around the meatloaf, covering it completely.
- Brush BBQ sauce over the top and sides of the meatloaf.
- Place the baking sheet with the meatloaf on the preheated grill and smoke for about 2-3 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Baste the meatloaf with more BBQ sauce once during cooking.
- Remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
This smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re serving it as a weeknight staple or as a centerpiece for a dinner party, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The smoky flavor from the pellet grill and BBQ sauce adds depth to this protein-packed meal. It’s a comforting and delicious dish that the whole family will love!
Why This Recipe Works
This smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf recipe is a winner for several reasons. First, the combination of smokiness, spiciness, and sweetness creates a delicious flavor profile that appeals to the whole family. The bacon not only adds a smoky flavor but also keeps the meatloaf moist as it cooks on the Traeger. The sweet and tangy glaze of BBQ sauce adds another layer of flavor that takes this dish to the next level.
Second, this meatloaf is incredibly hearty and satisfying. The mixture of bacon, cheese, and ground meat makes for a filling meal that will have you craving seconds. The addition of saltine crackers helps lock in moisture and prevent the loaf from drying out on the smoker or pellet grill.
Lastly, this recipe is easy to prepare with just a bit of prep work. It’s perfect for weeknight meals when you want something delicious but don’t have a lot of time. Serve it with your favorite sides like crispy baked potatoes or air fryer broccoli for a complete meal.
Ingredients
– 1 onion, grated
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
– 2 eggs
– 1 packet onion soup mix
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 cup crushed saltine crackers
– 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
– 1/2 pound ground pork sausage
– Thin-cut bacon slices
- Preheat the Traeger or pellet grill to 225°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a large mixing bowl, grate the onion and add Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, eggs, onion soup mix, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until well combined.
- Add the crushed saltine crackers to the mixture and let them soak for 5 minutes.
- Crumble the ground beef and pork sausage into the bowl and mix until all ingredients are combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf on the lined baking sheet.
- Wrap thin-cut bacon slices around the meatloaf, covering it completely.
- Place the bacon-wrapped meatloaf onto the preheated Traeger or pellet grill.
- Cook for about 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Baste with BBQ sauce every hour during cooking.
Note: These instructions are a summary of the information provided in the topic. Please refer to the original source for more detailed instructions.
How To Make It
To make this Traeger smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf, start by preheating your Traeger or pellet grill to 225°F and lining a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Grate an onion and put it into a large mixing bowl. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, eggs, onion soup mix, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir in cracker crumbs and let the mixture soak for 5 minutes.
Crumble ground beef and pork sausage into the bowl and gently mix everything together until well combined. Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Brush BBQ sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
Place the baking sheet with the meatloaf onto the preheated grill and smoke for about 2-3 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. During cooking, baste the meatloaf with more BBQ sauce once or twice.
Once cooked, remove the smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Remember not to overmix the meat mixture as it can result in a less tender meatloaf. Also, be sure to brush both the tops and sides of the meatloaf with BBQ sauce for maximum flavor. Use a food thermometer to ensure proper doneness, and let the meatloaf rest before slicing.
Feel free to experiment with different variations of this recipe by using ground turkey instead of beef and pork or replacing saltine crackers with breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
This Traeger smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve it alongside your favorite sides like baked potatoes or grilled vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
1. Use high-fat ground beef and pork sausage for a moist and flavorful meatloaf. The fat content will help prevent the loaf from drying out on the smoker or pellet grill.
2. Don’t overmix the meat mixture when combining the ingredients. Overmixing can result in a tougher, less tender meatloaf.
3. For added flavor, try using pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar cheese. It will give the meatloaf a hint of spice.
4. If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can replace the crushed saltine crackers with quick-cook oats.
5. To add extra smoky flavor to your meatloaf, use mild wood chips like maple, apple, or pecan in your pellet grill.
6. If you’re worried about the top of the meatloaf burning, you can cover it with foil while cooking.
7. Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make it easier to cut.
8. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat slices of meatloaf in an air fryer at 360°F for 6-8 minutes.
9. Experiment with different variations of this recipe by using ground turkey instead of beef and pork, or replacing the saltine crackers with breadcrumbs or oats.
10. Serve your smoked meatloaf with a variety of side dishes like baked potatoes, green beans with bacon, grilled potato wedges, or air fryer cauliflower for a complete meal.
In conclusion, smoked bacon wrapped meatloaf is a delectable dish that combines the irresistible flavors of bacon and meatloaf. The smoky aroma and crispy bacon layer elevate the classic comfort food to new heights. Whether enjoyed as a main course or sliced for sandwiches, this mouthwatering creation will undoubtedly satisfy any meat lover’s cravings.
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