BBQ Beef Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (Printable Version)

Tender ground beef wrapped in smoky bacon, brushed with sweet BBQ glaze, and baked until golden and crispy.

# What You Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 2 lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended
02 - 12 slices streaky bacon

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Binders & Fillers

05 - 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Sauces & Condiments

08 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce plus extra for glazing
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into a loaf approximately 9 x 5 inches and place on the prepared baking sheet or in the loaf pan.
04 - Lay the bacon strips over the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to wrap completely.
05 - Brush the top of the bacon with a generous layer of BBQ sauce.
06 - Bake for 50 minutes. Remove from oven, brush with more BBQ sauce, and return for another 10–15 minutes until bacon is crisp and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
07 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The bacon keeps everything incredibly juicy while adding irresistible smokiness
  • That BBQ glaze creates the most beautiful sticky, caramelized crust
  • Its the kind of meal that makes everyone rush to the dinner table
02 -
  • Overmixing makes for tough meatloaf so mix just until everything is combined
  • Letting it rest is non negotiable if you want clean slices instead of a crumbly mess
03 -
  • Use smoked bacon if you really want to lean into the smoky flavor profile
  • Check the glaze at the 40 minute mark and tent with foil if its browning too fast

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