A delicious Smoked Meatloaf recipe that is full of smoked flavor and cheese! This Traeger Smoked Meatloaf is cooked on your pellet grill and is amazing. It’s a fun twist on your traditional meatloaf recipe that will have you always making yours on your electric smoker!
Once you try this you’ll never want it any other way. So simple and delicious. It’s a great easy, beginner recipe, but yet so flavorful that even the seasoned pro will love this!
This epic Smoked Meatloaf recipe is going to turn all of your meatloaf haters into fans! Perfect smoked with a smoke ring, bursting with flavor and so juicy!
That’s right, you’ll all be asking for seconds of this easy smoker recipe when you try it. Your kids are going to even devour it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- It’s so easy! That’s right, just prep it, place it on the smoker and let it do it’s magic.
- It’s better than Grandmas meatloaf! Hear me out, meatloaf gets a bad rap sometimes, but this is juicy, full of flavor and pretty epic. Give it a try!
- A hit with the family! Perfectly seasoned, it’s got cheese mixed it and it’s so amazing.
Ingredients:
- Meat – We mix together ground beef, ground pork and bacon.
- Binder – To hold this meatloaf together we use eggs, Italian Panko bread crumbs and milk.
- Seasonings – A perfect blend of seasoned salt, garlic powder and black pepper to make it mouthwatering.
- Yellow onion – You can use frozen diced onions to save on time.
- Cheddar cheese – Grab a loaf and grate it yourself and it will melt better.
Instructions:
- Preheat the smoker to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you load the wood chips into the hopper.
- Combine all ingredients, do not over-mix or your meatloaf will become tough. Shape into a loaf.
- Place on smoker and smoke for about 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove from smoker, slice and enjoy!
Famous Meatloaf Smoke Ring!
As we cut into this fabulous Traeger Smoked Meatloaf my husband was telling me all about how it had a “smoke ring”.
A smoke ring is considered the “hallmark” of great barbecue and is a region of pink colored meat in the outermost 8-10 millimeters of smoked meats. You can see it in the picture below!
Can I Prep It Ahead Of Time?
You can make this ahead by prepping the meatloaf up to a day before you smoke it. Simply mix the ingredients together, shape into the meatloaf and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to smoke.
Another option is to freeze the meatloaf before smoking. Make the meatloaf and freeze it raw. Then thaw when you’re ready to cook the loaf overnight in the refrigerator.
What Wood Chips Should I Use When Smoking Meatloaf?
Sweet fruit woods like apple wood or cherry wood are great wood chips for this recipe, but you could also use a competition blend. The fruit flavors pair nicely with the meat.
How Should I Store Leftover Meatloaf?
REFRIGERATOR: Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
FREEZER: If you think it will be a while before it’s eaten, just wrap it in aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer safe resealable bag and store it in the freezer. Well wrapped and sealed, it will last up to three months. When you’re ready for a great meatloaf sandwich, you know what to do! Thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Using the oven to reheat the leftovers helps keep it moist and evenly heated. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your leftover meatloaf in an oven safe dish and add a bit of water or broth so it stays moist.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil, place it in the preheated oven and reheat until the center is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The time it will take to reheat depends on how many leftovers you have.
PRO TIPS
- If your meatloaf is falling apart there isn’t enough binder i.e. bread crumbs or eggs.
- We recommend using a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of your meatloaf easily.
- Any easy trick is to buy a rack to place the meatloaf on and then you can place that rack right onto the smoker rack. This means you don’t have to transfer your meatloaf onto the smoker rack and there’s less chance of it falling apart. Then just remove the rack and bring inside to slice when it’s done! You can use any pan you have it just has to have holes on the bottom, like a grill pan, so the smoke can circulate all around the meatloaf.
- Exact cook times will vary depending on the thickness of your meatloaf and smokers. Always cook to temperature, not exact time.
And now you have the BEST Meatloaf recipe you will ever make, and the key is making it on your pellet grill to get the flavor.
I mean, it has a “smoke ring” obviously it’s a winner!
More Recipe Suggestions:
Spinach and Mozzarella Meatloaf
Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf with Melted Swiss Cheese
Spicy Unstuffed Shells with Whipped Ricotta
Smoked Meatloaf
Equipment
- Cooking Rack (I like Nordic Ware, it doesn't warp/twist)
- Fruit Wood Pellets Optional
- Competition Blend Pellets Optional
- Cherry Wood Pellets Optional
- Apple Wood Pellets Optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 8 strips bacon cooked and chopped
- 2 eggs whisked
- 1/2 cup Italian Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup yellow onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Shape into a loaf.
- Place on smoker and smoke until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F which should take about 1 ½ hours.
- Remove from smoker, slice and serve immediately.
TIPS:
- We recommend using a wireless thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of your meatloaf easily.
- Any easy trick is to buy a rack to place the meatloaf on and then you can place that rack right onto the smoker rack. This means you don’t have to transfer your meatloaf onto the smoker rack and there’s less chance of it falling apart. Then just remove the rack and bring inside to slice when it’s done! You can use any pan you have it just has to have holes on the bottom, like a grill pan, so the smoke can circulate all around the meatloaf.
- Exact cook times will vary depending on the thickness of your meatloaf and smokers. Always cook to temperature, not exact time.
Make Ahead Tips!
- Absolutely! You can make it in the morning and just tuck it into the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook in the afternoon. Can you freeze meatloaf before cooking? You can do that too! Make the meatloaf and freeze it raw. Then thaw when you’re ready to cook the loaf.
Why does my meatloaf fall apart?
- It will fall apart because there isn’t enough binder i.e. breadcrumbs or eggs. Either will result in a loaf that falls apart.
Wood Chips or Pellet Flavors:
- Sweet fruit woods like apple or cherry are great for this recipe, but you could also use a competition blend.
Leftovers:
- Meatloaf will keep in the refrigerator for four to five days. If you think it will be a while before it’s eaten, just wrap it well and tuck it into the freezer. Well wrapped and sealed, it will last up to three months. When you’re ready for a great meatloaf sandwich, you know what to do!
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