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Old-Fashioned Brown Sugar Ketchup Meatloaf

old-fashioned brown sugar ketchup meatloaf - featured image
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A classic, comforting meatloaf recipe with a sweet and tangy brown sugar ketchup glaze that delivers tender, juicy slices perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80% lean recommended)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup whole milk (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan or baking dish.
  2. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix gently by hand or with a wooden spoon until just combined.
  4. Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Shape into a uniform loaf without compressing too tightly.
  5. Spread half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
  6. Bake for about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and spread the remaining glaze on top.
  7. Return to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. Tent with foil if the glaze starts to brown too quickly.
  8. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer; it should read 160°F (71°C). If unavailable, cut into the center to ensure juices run clear.
  9. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.

Notes

Avoid overmixing the meat to keep the texture tender. Spread glaze halfway through baking and again near the end for a sticky, caramelized finish. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to retain juices. Use a meat thermometer for best results. Cover with foil if glaze browns too quickly. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour. For dairy-free, use almond milk instead of whole milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar ketchup glaze, comfort food, easy dinner, classic meatloaf, family meal

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/old-fashioned-brown-sugar-ketchup-meatloaf-recipe-easy-comfort-food/