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Perfect Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This Perfect Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf is incredibly moist, tender, and topped with a sweet-tangy caramelized glaze. It’s a family-friendly comfort food classic that’s simple enough for a weeknight and special enough for Sunday supper.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 medium yellow onion, grated
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the long sides.
  2. Make the panade: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Stir until the breadcrumbs are fully soaked. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Grate the onion using a box grater. You should get about 1/2 cup of grated onion with its juices. Do not drain the liquid.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, grated onion (with its juices), beaten eggs, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined (about 30 seconds). Do not overmix.
  5. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press it gently into an even shape—don’t pack it down too firmly. Bake for 45 minutes.
  6. While the meatloaf bakes, make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk together over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. After 45 minutes, carefully remove the meatloaf from the oven. Spoon or brush about half of the glaze over the top, spreading it evenly. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes.
  8. After 15 minutes, remove the meatloaf again and apply the remaining glaze. Return to the oven for a final 10-15 minutes. The glaze should be bubbly, caramelized, and slightly tacky.
  9. Check for doneness: Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the meatloaf. It should read 160°F (71°C). If not, bake for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
  10. Let the meatloaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift the meatloaf out of the pan, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into thick pieces.

Notes

For extra caramelization on the sides, after the final bake, carefully pour off any accumulated juices from the pan, then place the meatloaf under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely as sugar burns fast. If you don’t have a loaf pan, shape the meatloaf free-form on a parchment-lined baking sheet; it will cook faster (about 45-50 minutes).

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/perfect-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-easy-homemade-recipe/