Classic Meatloaf with Tangy Glaze (Printable)

Tender ground beef loaf infused with Worcestershire and herbs, finished with a sweet tangy ketchup glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat

01 - 1 ½ lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Binders & Fillers

04 - ¾ cup breadcrumbs
05 - ⅔ cup whole milk
06 - 2 large eggs

→ Flavorings & Seasoning

07 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 ½ tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika

→ Glaze

12 - ½ cup ketchup
13 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
14 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
02 - Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until absorbed.
03 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just incorporated—avoid overworking the meat.
04 - Form the mixture into a 8x4 inch loaf and transfer to the prepared baking sheet or loaf pan.
05 - Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a separate small bowl until smooth.
06 - Spread half of the glaze mixture evenly over the top and sides of the meatloaf.
07 - Bake for 45 minutes until the loaf begins to set and brown.
08 - Remove from oven and spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf. Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
09 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • That sticky sweet glaze gets all caramelized and creates the most incredible crust that everyone fights over
  • Makes the house smell amazing while it bakes, basically edible comfort on a sheet pan
02 -
  • Overmixing the meat mixture makes for a tough, dense loaf instead of tender slices
  • Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing is not optional unless you want all those juices running onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid guessing because nobody wants dry overcooked meatloaf
  • Mix the glaze ingredients while the oven preheats so they have time for the flavors to meld together
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