BBQ Beef Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (Printable)

Tender beef wrapped in crispy bacon with tangy BBQ glaze

# What You Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 12 slices streaky bacon

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Binders & Fillers

05 - 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Sauces & Condiments

08 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for glazing
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into a loaf approximately 9 x 5 inches and place on the prepared baking sheet or in the loaf pan.
04 - Lay the bacon strips over the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to wrap completely.
05 - Brush the top of the bacon with a generous layer of BBQ sauce.
06 - Bake for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush with more BBQ sauce, and return to the oven for another 10–15 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
07 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The bacon keeps everything incredibly moist while creating this gorgeous caramelized crust
  • It's one of those meals that tastes like you fussed for hours but comes together faster than you can set the table
  • The leftovers somehow taste even better in sandwiches the next day
02 -
  • Overmixing makes meatloaf tough and dense—stop as soon as everything is combined
  • The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so overlap those slices slightly when wrapping
  • Internal temperature is the only way to know it's done—cut into it too early and you lose all those juices
03 -
  • Line your baking sheet with foil underneath the parchment for the easiest cleanup ever
  • Make extra BBQ glaze and serve it on the side—everyone always wants more

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