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Best Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe: Easy Dinner

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This brown sugar glazed meatloaf is a sticky, tangy-sweet twist on a classic comfort food. With a savory base and a caramelized glaze, it’s perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, or a cozy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup (120g) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
  • ½ cup (120ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • ½ cup (120ml) ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with foil and place your loaf pan on top.
  2. Make the glaze first. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Prepare the meatloaf mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs and ½ cup milk. Let it sit for 2 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb the milk.
  4. Add the aromatics. To the breadcrumb mixture, add 1 finely diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Stir until combined.
  5. Add the beef. Add 2 pounds of ground beef to the bowl. Use your hands to gently mix everything together. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  6. Shape the meatloaf. Transfer the mixture to your loaf pan. Press it gently into an even shape, making sure there are no air pockets. If you’re using parchment paper, leave some overhang for easy lifting later.
  7. Apply the first layer of glaze. Brush about half of the brown sugar glaze over the top of the meatloaf. Reserve the rest for later.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes. Place the loaf pan on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Apply the second layer of glaze. Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Brush the remaining glaze over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  10. Rest before slicing. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes.
  11. Slice and serve. Lift the meatloaf out of the pan using the parchment paper. Transfer to a cutting board. Slice into 1-inch thick pieces. Spoon any pan juices over the slices for extra flavor.

Notes

Don’t skip the panade (breadcrumbs + milk) for a tender meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; pull at 160°F. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep it from falling apart. For a dinner party, assemble the meatloaf a few hours ahead and refrigerate uncovered to help the glaze stick. Double the glaze recipe if you want extra for serving.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/best-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-recipe-easy-dinner/