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Savory Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze

savory meatloaf with brown sugar glaze - featured image

A tender, moist meatloaf with a sweet-savory brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully, perfect for comforting family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 3/4 cup (75 g) breadcrumbs (regular or panko), soaked in 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon (1 g) Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a small bowl, soak 3/4 cup breadcrumbs in 1/4 cup milk for about 5 minutes until soft.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or hands until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  5. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a 9×5-inch loaf pan or form a loaf on a lined baking sheet.
  6. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard to make the glaze.
  7. Brush half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
  9. Remove from oven and brush the remaining glaze on top.
  10. Return to oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  11. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatloaf tender. Soak breadcrumbs in milk for extra moisture. Brush glaze twice during baking for a sticky, caramelized crust. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Rest meatloaf for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, savory meatloaf, tender meatloaf