Simply Perfect Meatloaf Glaze

The secret to a perfect meatloaf is a fantastic meatloaf glaze. Meatloaf is not a complicated meal, but it requires some finesse to make it delicious. With the right ingredients and technique, you will have a perfect dinner everyone will love.

A Lovely Thought From Teri

There’s something magical about meatloaf. It’s like a warm hug in a baking dish, and it’s one of the ultimate comfort foods. To make a fabulous meatloaf, it’s all about finding that perfect balance of flavors and textures. The meatloaf glaze is the simple but unbelievably delicious factor that takes your meatloaf over the top.

I’m sharing my go-to old school meatloaf recipe from my cookbook. It’s tender, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make on a Sunday, serving it up with luscious mashed potatoes.

The old school way is to use a combination of beef, veal, and pork to make your meatloaf. I completely understand that many people would prefer not to use veal, in which case, you can just use beef and pork. I’ve included it in the recipe because that is how it was originally made, but feel free to substitute or omit as you would like.

How to Serve Your Meatloaf

Is there anything better than meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Make these easy creamy mashed potatoes to serve alongside your meatloaf. The meatloaf glaze with the potatoes is heavenly. For me, it’s simply a must.

For some greens to complete your meal, you could make garlicky green beans, broccolini, or a delicious salad like this salad with pears.

Ingredients

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Hot sauce
• Ground beef
• Ground veal
• Ground pork
• Yellow onion
• Fresh white breadcrumbs
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Chopped fresh chives
• Chopped fresh basil
• Large eggs 
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Uncooked bacon slices

Variations

I love the combination of ground beef, veal and pork for the best results. You can adjust the amounts to your taste if you would like, or you could even use ground chuck in place of the beef. Just be sure to avoid super lean ground beef to keep your meatloaf tender. And while you can make meatloaf with ground turkey, it simply is not as delicious.

I find the simplicity of some fresh herbs makes the best meatloaf recipe, but you can certainly add any variations you would like. Smoked paprika or chili powder would add some smoky flavor. Along with your onions, you could mince some garlic cloves. Garlic powder or onion powder would also work, and a bit of cayenne pepper could add some spice. A few dashes of worcestershire sauce add a ton of flavor to your meatloaf.

The breadcrumbs are delicious, but you can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs. Crumbled saltine crackers are also a go to for many, but I prefer the breadcrumbs for this recipe.

How to Make Meatloaf

Make the Meatloaf Glaze

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and hot sauce until completely incorporated.

Make the Meatloaf and Bake

In a large bowl, mix all the meat loaf ingredients together using your hands. Form the mixture into a 8 by 6-inch loaf on a baking sheet, baking dish, or loaf pan. I prefer not to line the dish with parchment paper, but you can if you would like. Cover the loaf with the uncooked bacon slices, laying them horizontally, slightly overlapping, and tucking the ends underneath. 

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush on half of the glaze. Return to the oven and cook until done, about 15 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 160°F for an internal temperature when inserted in the center. Remove and allow it to rest, tented with foil, for 15 minutes before slicing and serving it with the remaining glaze on the side.

Storage and Reheating

Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can reheat in an oven or toaster oven until warmed through. The leftover meatloaf also makes for fabulous meatloaf sandwiches the next day for lunch.

Try These Other Wonderful Family Recipes

• An Easy Sausage and Sage Stuffing from Roy
• Grandma Pat’s Secret Spaghetti Sauce
• Ham Salad

And if you make this meatloaf, be sure to rate and review the recipe to let me know what you think. And if you want to follow along, head to Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for more inspiration!

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