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Savory Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf

savory brown sugar glazed meatloaf - featured image

A tender, juicy meatloaf with a sticky-sweet brown sugar glaze that caramelizes to perfection, creating a comforting and crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned, panko optional)
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or dairy-free alternative)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (yellow or sweet)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until combined.
  3. Stir in the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add the ground beef and breadcrumbs to the bowl and gently mix with your hands or a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and press gently into an even loaf shape.
  6. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ketchup, and yellow mustard until smooth to make the glaze.
  7. Brush the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  8. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Halfway through baking (around 30 minutes), brush a second layer of glaze on top.
  9. Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  10. Slice into thick portions (about 1 to 1.5 inches) and serve warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid a dense meatloaf. Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for optimal moisture. Soak breadcrumbs in milk before mixing to keep the meatloaf tender. Apply the glaze twice during baking for a sticky, glossy crust. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices. Tent with foil if edges brown too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, savory meatloaf, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, juicy meatloaf