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BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

This easy BBQ bacon-wrapped meatloaf is moist, flavorful, and quick to make.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 2300.7 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x11-inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Paper Towel-Lined Plate
  • 1 Instant-Read Thermometer (recommended for precise doneness)

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 5 slices bacon
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped, or more to taste
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • ½ cup soft bread crumbs
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder Optional
  • 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x11-inch baking dish.
  • Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until edges just start to curl, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain partially cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in the skillet.
  • Cook and stir onion and garlic in the bacon drippings until onion is softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
  • Mix cooled onion and garlic, ground beef, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, bread crumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, oregano, and chili powder together with your hands in a large bowl until well combined. Form beef mixture into a log-shaped meatloaf; place in the prepared baking dish.
  • Wrap partially cooked bacon slices around meatloaf, tucking the ends of bacon underneath loaf.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Brush bacon-wrapped meatloaf with 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce. Continue baking until no longer pink in the center, about 10 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

1. Achieving crispy bacon on a meatloaf can be tricky. Par-cooking the bacon slightly before wrapping helps render some fat and allows it to crisp up nicely in the oven without burning the meatloaf. Be careful not to overcook it initially. 2. Do not overmix the meatloaf ingredients; gentle handling ensures a tender texture. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough meatloaf. 3. For enhanced flavor, consider adding a touch of smoked paprika or a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley to the meatloaf mixture. 4. Resting the meatloaf for 10 minutes after baking is crucial. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more moist and flavorful slice.