The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Loaded with bold, barbequed flavor, this Smoked Meatloaf is guaranteed to be a fresh take on a classic you won’t regret! It’s family-friendly and pairs well with just about any side, too.
This recipe makes eight servings and costs approximately $11.29. Therefore, it costs about $1.41 per serving.
My favorite sides for smoked meatloaf include Smoked Mac and Cheese, Loaded Baked Beans, and Mashed Potatoes. We recommend trying them as well next time you fire up your Traeger!
Meatloaf is probably one of America’s favorite comfort foods. Whether it was a part of your grandma’s cooking when you visited or a staple of your parents’ at-home menu, meatloaf is usually a dish with many memories.
And this smoked meatloaf is a way to make new memories with your family! The smoking process gives it so much extra aroma and flavor that it’ll knock you out. Use a Traeger-brand smoker, as it always gives meals a subtle and refined taste that doesn’t overpower a sauce or rub.
That reminds us; we’ve included a recipe for a BBQ rub. A “revolutionary meatloaf experience” is silly, but when our families tried this meatloaf with the BBQ rub, the reactions were amazing. It’s wonderful and makes meatloaf sandwiches as leftovers, too.
Note that we use a wood pellet grill for most of this process. More specifically, this recipe assumes you have a Traeger smoker/grill. Additionally, we highly recommend wood blend, cherry, or apple wood pellets for smoked meatloaf.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef – $6.66
- 1 medium yellow onion – $0.62
- 1 bell pepper – $1.24
- 2 garlic cloves – 0.08
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt – $0.06
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.09
- 1 large egg – $0.23
- ⅔ cup bread crumbs – $0.32
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce – $1.26
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar – $0.16
- 1 Tablespoon paprika – $0.09
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper – $0.18
- 2 teaspoons sea salt – $0.08
- 1 teaspoon onion powder – $0.03
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard – $0.16
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder – $0.03
To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How To Smoke Meatloaf
We’ve heard of many people disliking meatloaf because they’re so used to dry, overcooked loaf. However, this recipe for smoking meatloaf will give you a moist lunch or dinner every time, and it couldn’t be easier!
- Preheat the smoker to 180°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the ingredients for the BBQ rub.
- In a separate bowl, mix the ingredients for the BBQ rub.
- Shape your meat mixture into a loaf and place it onto a wire rack.
- Coat the meat well with the BBQ rub.
- Place the rack on the smoker and smoke for 1 hour.
- Increase smoker temperature to 375°F.
- Brush on more BBQ sauce and cook for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the loaf is 165°F.
- Remove the meatloaf from the smoker. Cover it with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve immediately with additional BBQ sauce if desired…and your favorite side dishes!
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- You can use your favorite rub in this recipe instead of making your own.
Storage Tips
SERVE: In this recipe, you’ll want to cover with foil and let rest for about 10-15 minutes after you take it out of the smoker. Then it’s ready to serve immediately!
STORE: In an airtight container, smoked meatloaf will stay fresh for about five days in the fridge. You can also wrap it tightly in tin foil.
FREEZE: This smoked meatloaf will remain fresh in the freezer for up to three months. As always, again, use an airtight container!
REHEAT: Use an oven to reheat refrigerated or frozen meatloaf. Warm it up until the center of the loaf reaches about 165°F, which usually takes a half hour. (Of course, this will vary depending on your oven, the size of the loaf, etc.) The broth will keep the loaf moist if it dries out.
Recipe FAQs
The prep time is only 15 minutes, and the smoking takes about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on your circumstances.
The ideal ratio of fat-to-lean for a meatloaf should be 80% to 20%. However, 70% to 30% is also acceptable if you want a juicy meatloaf and don’t mind a bit of greasiness.
Absolutely. Pork, pork/beef combinations, turkey, and even bison or venison will all work in this recipe.
There are tons of great substitutes you can make here! A quick list includes:
1. Ground-up pretzels
2. Rolled oats
3. Almond flour (a fabulous gluten-free substitute)
4. Potato chips (experiment with different flavors)
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Guide your child’s hands as you show them how to brush the meatloaf with the BBQ sauce.
Ages 4-5: Ask your child to pre-measure the ingredients for the meatloaf and the BBQ rub. This will be a great activity to practice their measuring skills.
Ages 6-8: Teach proper knife safety to your child and ask them to prep the ingredients by cutting the onion, pepper, and garlic cloves. As they learn how to use a knife to chop ingredients properly, it will become an essential skill helpful in various recipes.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
We like to purchase ground beef from Costco and then cut it into smaller sections to freeze. This has been a cost-effective strategy for our grocery budget. In addition, we can make more than one meal, like this meatloaf, out of the Costco purchase.
More Beef Recipes
- Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Taco Bell Crunchwrap
- Smoked Pot Roast
- Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
- Best Grilled Hamburgers
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Smoked Beef Recipes
- Instant Pot Meatloaf and Potatoes
- Homemade Sloppy Joes
Smoked Meatloaf
Recipe Cost 11.29 Serving Cost 1.41Equipment
- Smoker Grill
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- Liquid measuring cup
- mixing bowl
- Wooden mixing spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- pastry brush
Ingredients
FOR THE MEATLOAF:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion minced
- 1 bell pepper minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- ⅔ cup bread crumbs
- ¾ cup BBQ Sauce divided (reserve ¼ cup to brush on meatloaf)
BBQ RUB:
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
Instructions
PREP SMOKER:
- Preheat the smoker to 180° F.
MAKE MEATLOAF:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients (except for the rub ingredients).
- In a separate bowl, mix the ingredients for the BBQ rub.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it onto a wire rack.
- Coat well with the BBQ rub.
SMOKE MEATLOAF:
- Place the rack on the smoker and smoke for 1 hour.
- Increase smoker temperature to 375° F.
- Brush on reserved BBQ sauce and cook for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F.
TO FINISH:
- Remove the meatloaf from the smoker, cover with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve immediately with additional BBQ sauce if desired and your favorite side dishes.
traci says
Wow! What a great recipe! I love the tips and tricks and this will be getting devoured by everyone. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Caitlin says
This meatloaf is fantastic! So delicious and flavorful, thanks for sharing!
Nancy says
This meatloaf is perfect for freezer prep. I made a big batch to keep for emergencies
Gina Abernathy says
Meatloaf is a classic and total comfort food! Perfect for any night of the week.
Anjali says
Love all of the flavors in this smoky meatloaf recipe!! Yum!