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Sticky Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf – Best Sweet & Savory Dinner

sticky brown sugar glazed meatloaf - featured image

This sticky brown sugar glazed meatloaf brings together the savory richness of seasoned ground beef with a sweet, tangy glaze that caramelizes into something almost candy-like. It’s the kind of contrast that keeps you coming back for another slice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) ground beef, 80/20 blend preferred
  • 1 cup (120g) plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (2g) dried thyme (optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) ketchup (for glaze)
  • ⅓ cup (70g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan with oil or cooking spray. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. If desired, sauté the diced onion in a little oil for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then let cool.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them sit for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs have absorbed most of the liquid.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix gently with your hands just until everything is evenly distributed.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press it in gently, making sure there are no air pockets. Place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
  5. While the meatloaf bakes, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup ketchup, packed brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  6. After 45 minutes, carefully remove the meatloaf from the oven. Spoon or brush about half the glaze over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. Then apply the remaining glaze and bake for a final 10 minutes. Total baking time is about 70 minutes.
  7. The meatloaf is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F (71°C). Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meatloaf to avoid a dense texture. Apply glaze in stages for a sticky, caramelized crust. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. For easy cleanup, line the loaf pan with parchment paper. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, sticky meatloaf, sweet and savory, comfort food, family dinner, ground beef recipe