If you're getting tired of turkey's and ham for Thanksgiving or Christmas, mayyyyyybe smoked meatloaf is the better option for you! Not everyone loves turkey. No matter how much you try to next level it, sometimes it just doesn't happen. It's always great to have options on the table!
This smoked meatloaf is insanely moist and ridiculously addictive. A good comfort dish makes everyones taste buds sing and hearts happy. And with just 6 steps and simple ingredients, the ease of it makes it a huge WIN.
Smoker = Extra Love
I love taking these old-school classic comfort food recipes and giving them a smokey twist. Meatloaf has been around for years and made in ovens all over the south. I was born and raised in East Tennessee and have been in this state 85% of my life. Comfort food is just something most people can relate to. So, why not elevate it by simply placing it on the Pellet Grill or Smoker for extra flavor?
For this recipe the Onion Soup Mix or even the Lipton Soup Mix packets are all the seasonings you need. However, should you choose to make it even more flavorful, then by all means add your favorite BBQ rub!
How long to smoke a meatloaf:
It takes 3 hours or a little longer for this smoked meatloaf. Other meatloaf varieties will likely take less time to fully cook especially if you are using an oven. Slightly more important that watching the clock for this meatloaf is ensuring the meat reaches a safe temperature for consumption. This meatloaf can be pulled off the smoker when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Make sure you have an internal meat thermometer available so you can track the temperature of the meat while it smokes checking it about every hour or so.
What to pair your Smoked Meatloaf with:
Now let's get to the recipe and all the ingredients needed as well as some cooking items and utensils for this dish.
Helpful Items for Smoking a Meatloaf
- Flint and Flame Knives - I use these daily and have had them for over 2 years. I've yet to sharpen them! Definitely great quality knives. Code CHEFTIM40 to get 40% this knife or their entire website
- Bread Pan - Affordable and handles smoker temps perfectly.
- Smoker - I've been loving my Traeger Pellet Grill! Keep in mind there are plenty of sizes to meet your needs. We have a bigger one to feed this hungry family!
- Traeger Pellets - I can't stress enough how important it is to use quality pellets! Not only for taste, but also to protect your pellet grill.
- Metal Spatula or Flipper - This is my go-to metal Spatula when grilling burgers, smoking meats, or even flipping pancakes.
- Thermometer - Get an instant and accurate read with this classic Thermapen.
- Grilling Mat - I use this one to protect my grilling area. It's flame resistant AND waterproof making for an easy clean up.
Ingredients you'll need for a delicious Smoked Meatloaf
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 Onion, diced
- 1 Bell Pepper, diced
- ½ Cup Oatmeal
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Package Lipton Soup Mix
- ½ Cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Avocado Oil
- Smoker Pellets - Cherry or Hickory work great for Meatloaf!
How to Smoke a Meatloaf
This meatloaf isn't too hard to make, but it does require a bit of time in the smoker (around 3 hours). It can be hard to wait this long for this tasty meatloaf, but it's well worth the wait and your family will hands down thank you for taking the time and effort. Here's how to smoke a delicious meatloaf.
Preheat and Prep
Step 1 : Preheat. Fire up your pellet grill and preheat to 250°F. Hickory and Cherry Woods are delicious with this recipe.
Step 2 : Make the meatloaf. Dice your onions and peppers. In a small skillet, sauté veggies in avocado oil until they are tender. Combine ground beef, cooked veggies, oatmeal, eggs, soup mix and ¼ cup of ketchup in a bowl. Mix very gently and do not overmix (your meatloaf could end up too tough if it is handled too much).
Step 3 : Form the loaf. Get a bread baking pan and gently press down the meatloaf mixture so that it's solid and dense. Place in the freezer for 30 - 45 minutes to firm up.
Smoke Meatloaf
Step 4 : Smoke. Remove meatloaf from freezer and flip the pan upside down on to a cutting board (or directly onto your spatula). Then, place meatloaf on the smoker for 1 hour.
Step 5 : Sauce. After one hour, coat the top with the remaining ¼ cup of ketchup or more if you want and if you want to get wild use BBQ sauce instead. Let it smoke for 2 more hours or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 6 : Dig in! Remove the meatloaf from the smoker. Rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
What are the "must haves" on your family menus? Let me know your families favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!
Recipe
Smoked Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 Onion diced
- 1 Bell Pepper diced
- ½ Cup Oatmeal
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- ½ Cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Avocado Oil
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- Preheat. Fire up your pellet grill and preheat to 250°F. Hickory and Cherry Woods are delicious with this recipe.
- Make the meatloaf. Dice your onions and peppers. In a small skillet, sauté veggies in avocado oil until they are tender. Combine ground beef, cooked veggies, oatmeal, eggs, soup mix and ¼ cup of ketchup in a bowl. Mix very gently and do not overmix (your meatloaf could end up too tough if it is handled too much).
- Form the loaf. Get a bread baking pan and gently press down the meatloaf mixture so that it's solid and dense. Place in the freezer for 30 - 45 minutes to firm up.
Smoke Meatloaf
- Smoke. Remove meatloaf from the freezer and flip the pan upside down on to a cutting board (or directly onto your spatula). Then, place meatloaf on the smoker for 1 hour.
- Sauce. After one hour, coat the top with the remaining ¼ cup of ketchup or more if you want and if you want to get wild use BBQ sauce instead. Let it smoke for 2 more hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Dig in! Remove the meatloaf from the smoker. Rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
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Erin L says
Finally! Another option for the Holiday dinner table! I love it! Thanks Tim!
CookitwithTim says
One of my wife's favorite things I make.