Easy Traeger Meatloaf Recipe Just In 2 hours
What is Traeger Meatloaf Recipe
Traeger meatloaf is the perfect recipe to add a delicious and smoky twist to your favorite comfort food, made using wood pellets for an entirely new flavor profile. A mixture of ground beef and pork is combined with panko, eggs, onion, garlic, bell pepper, milk Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard to form one savory meatloaf.
Usually bacon_wrapped, dribbled with ketchup or BBQ sauce, and smoked low and slow on the Traeger until it is tender smoky goodness.
The end product is a flavorful, moist meatloaf that has an almost crunchy sweetness to it which really makes this dish perfect for a filling meal and family get-together.
History of Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a popular dish that has found its way to tables worldwide for 100 years. Its roots are predated to a Roman recipe named, pieczeń rzymska (“Roman roast“).
Meatloaf made its way to the United States, where this crazy popular dish was influenced by those in Germany and Scandinavia. During the Great Depression, meatloaf became synonymous with American frugality as it was a way to stretch cuts of meat by adding fillers_like breadcrumbs and vegetables.
Why Use a Traeger Grill?
For all your meatloaf lovers out there, the Traeger grill is a must for you. Traditional ovens are not used the way Traeger grills use wood pellets to smoke and infuse rich flavor into this meatloaf. It is possible to cook the meatloaf for longer, however, an hour or so on a grill with indirect heat will still result in such flavourful carnivorous delight that you’ll want seconds. A grill lid also acts like beetle armor- protecting from all wind and sun! Not only that, but Traeger grills are also used for baking and they can be turned into an outside oven as well so you get another awesome product.
Traeger Meatloaf Recipe Step-by-Step Instruction
You do not have to follow them, but instructions are in the recipe —Here is a detailed guide on how you can perfectly make Traeger meatloaf.
Ingredients
Ground beef 1 lb | Ground pork 1 lb |
Italian panko breadcrumbs 1 cup | Eggs 2 |
Onion chopped 1 cup | Garlic, minced- 2 cloves |
Diced bell pepper- 1/2 cup | Seasoned salt 2tbsp |
Milk- 1/2 cup | Mustard- 2 tbsp |
Cheddar cheese 2 cups | Black pepper- 1/2 tsp |
Ketchup or Barbecue Sauce- 1 cup. | Bacon- 8 strips |
Traeger Meatloaf Ingredients Details ➡
Meatloaf is really all about the ingredients, and details to make it turn out great. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Meat: If making this recipe as traditional meatballs, use a mix of ground beef and pork to give these the best texture + flavor. For the beef in this recipe, I highly recommend sticking to an 80/20 ratio so your meatloaf doesn’t end up dry.
- Breadcrumbs: They are used to hold the meatloaf together Breadcrumbs also give form. Panko breadcrumbs. They are lighter in weight
- Eggs: Eggs help bind the meatloaf together.
- Seasonings + Vegetables: Sliced onion, bulbs of garlic split down the middle (to impart flavor and give off delicious moisture as they roast), and sliced bell peppers to help season your meat. Chop them fine so that when they are added to the meat, they mix up with it well.
- Flavours: Add salt, and pepper to both the sauce and seasoning making sure all is well seasoned with Worcestershire Sauce & Dijon Mustard. You can also throw in some parsley or thyme.
- Milk: The milk makes it tender. You are family can have full fat for the best milk to use but any you got on hand will do.
- Ketchup or BBQ Sauce: Tangy, tangy glaze on their meatloaf dor a little flavor punch that caramelizes nicely with the Traeger cooking grill.
Traeger meatloaf cook time
Total Cook Time: Around 2 hours to cook a Traeger meatloaf
➡ Smoking at 225°F: 1 hour.
➡ Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes.
➡ Resting Time: 10-15 minutes.
➡ Traeger Meatloaf Recipe Step-by-Step Instruction
➡ How to Preheat Your Traeger Grill: You’ll want to preheat your Traeger grill, around 225° F for this one so that the meatloaf will be infused with lots of smoky flavor.
➡ For the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together ground beef and pork with panko breadcrumbs, eggs, onion pieces (just roughly chop), minced garlic cloves (or use this method for mincing garlic ), chopped bell pepper milk salt Worcestershire sauce Dijon mustard black pepper. Gently mix together by hand until combined completely.
➡ Place Loaf On Grill: Once the meatloaf is formed into a loaf, place it in your grill_safe meatloaf pan on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
➡ Add an Optional Sauce Over the Top of Your Meatloaf: You could spread a layer of ketchup or BBQ sauce over it before placing it in the oven. This will start a nice caramelized chewy crust when it is cooking.
➡ Smoke the Meatloaf or whatever you cook: Smoke on your grill at 225F for an hour of smoke flavor.
➡ Kick It Up: During the final quarter, up to 350°F and cook another 45-60 minutes or until an internal temp of awesome temperature which is identified in the guest’s party time 160°F.
➡ Repose the Meatloaf: Separate your meatloaf from the grill and allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. The entire point is to keep the juicy throughout your meatloaf so every bite is nice and tasty.
Smoking Wood Chips for Meatloaf
I used apple wood chips that are slightly sweet which go amazing with this recipe, but other woods or a competition blend would work as well. We think the fruitiness works well with this meat.
Serving Suggestions for Traeger Meatloaf
This barbecue-style Traeger meatloaf is a great way to anchor an easy meal. 16 Simple and Over-Creative Sides for Meatloaf.
Classic Pairings:
- Mashed potatoes: Creamy and rich, they go with savory meatloaf like peanut butter goes on a sandwich.
- Green beans: A pretty classic side dish to keep things fresh and green.
- Corn: While there are many delicious ways to enjoy this versatile, flavorful side (such as on the cob or creamed), corn has also transcended into even more mainstream food categories like succotash.
Elevated Options:
- Roasted root vegetables: Warm spiced sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips create a nice balance when roasted together.
- Asparagus: Either grilled or roasted asparagus would class it up a bit.
- Cheese Cauliflower: A creamy, comforting side that would go beautifully with the smoky meatloaf.
Southern Comfort:
- Collard greens: Brilliant green and slightly bitter, slow-cooked collards with smoked turkey or ham are a classic Southern side.
- Mac and Cheese: You can never go wrong with a classic macaroni casserole.
- Potato salad: The perennial picnic side is perfectly meatloaf-compatible.
- Quinoa Salad: It is a healthy and very soothing option with lots of types of green veggies.
- Mixed greens: Many people like a salad that is heavy on the vinaigrette, which could be good here to contrast with the richness of meatloaf.
Can You Freeze Meatloaf?
Storing and Reheating Traeger Leftovers Meatloaf
➡ The leftovers will be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, and stored in an airtight container.
➡ It will be a little bit before all the fudge gets eaten then wrap it in foil and place fudge into plastic bags ( I use smaller portion sizes, like five pieces ), squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag. freeze Properly wrapped and sealed, it will keep for up to 3 months. Defrost what you like overnight in the refrigerator and dig right back into that delicious prepared meal.
Tips for the Perfect Meatloaf
- Do Not Overmix: Just like with any bread, you will get a dense and hard meatloaf if the ground beef mixture is mixed too much. Mix just until all the ingredients.
- Check with a Meat Thermometer: Be sure to use an internal thermometer for any type of meatloaf. It should reach 160°F.
- Rest Before Slicing: Resting the meatloaf after it cooks, allows for less moisture to escape and prevents a dry crumbly mess when sliced.
- Flavor Experimentation: Go ahead and try combining various herbs, spices, and sauces to personalize your meatloaf.
Variations and Additions
- Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf: You can also fill cheese between the meat mix. The outcome will include a cherry, gooey parmesan cheese middle from this basic beef-ie-located food!
- Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf: Wrap the meatloaf in bacon before baking, because nothing tasteless or dry about this dish.
- Vegetable Boost: Add finely diced mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini to the meat mixture for extra fiber and liquid.
- Extra Spicy Meatloaf: Add diced jalapenos plus a splash of hot sauce to the meat mixture for an extra kick!
Pairing Suggestions
A good old meatloaf goes with pretty much anything. Here are some suggestions:
- Creamy mashed potatoes: the quintessential pairing.
- Roasted Vegetables: Munch on some roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans.
- Mac and Cheese: Mac n cheese is the quintessential macaroni side dish, especially if it’s super creamy (which this certainly was).
- Garden Salad With Tangy Vinaigrette Dressing: This fresh garden salad gets a little zesty for the perfect contrast with that meatloaf.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Dry Meatloaf: This one happens if your meatloaf is made with something besides beef. Be sure to include some pork mixed in, and it should contain plenty of fat! The mixture itself is quite gentle, and the milk along with eggs helps by keeping it nice, and moist while baking.
- Falling Apart: Hold it all together with breadcrumbs and eggs. Chilling it, before slicing is also going to make it hold up well.
- Not well seasoned: Salt IS your friend, as are pepper and other seasonings. This actually makes it easier for you to taste the mixture before cooking and add more seasoning as required.
Nutritional Information for Traeger meatloaf recipe
Nutritional Information (per 2 servings): These numbers are estimates and can change based on what you add to the exact measurements.
Total Fat: 25g | Dietary Fiber: 1g |
Calories: 350 Kcal | Sugars: 6g |
Saturated Fat: 9g | Protein: 21g |
Trans Fat: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 6% DV |
Cholesterol: 120mg | Vitamin C: 10% DV |
Sodium: 800mg | Calcium: 6% DV |
Total Carbohydrates: 14g | Iron: 15% DV |
As always, I am not a dietitian and you should seek out an accurate nutritional breakdown from someone else. Nutrition facts are computer-generated and therefore may contain errors If you must repeat the calories, I highly suggest plating them inside of a nutritional effect calculator.
Health Benefits of Traeger Meatloaf
Traeger meatloaf is a hardy, indulgent dish but it can have health benefits when made with care and as part of an overall healthy diet. The following are some main health benefits:
1. High Protein Content
- Protein: The main ingredients, ground beef and pork are two excellent sources of protein which is essential for muscle growth or repair as well as many other bodily functions.
- Satiety: Protein has the highest satiation value, which helps with energy intake control.
2. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
- Iron: Iron is required for the formation of red blood cells and thus to prevent anemia, beef as such pork provides large amounts of this mineral.
- Zinc: Another dense mineral meat you need in your diet to support immune response, healing time for wounds, and help genetic material.
- B Vitamins: Cows are ruminant animals, meaning that bacteria in their guts produce vitamin B12 (the nutrient most commonly thought of when you think about a food source for longevity), which is essential in many bodily functions including nerve function and DNA production as well as the development of red blood cells.
3. Omega-3 added back (when using grass-fed beef)
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Also, grass-fed beef has more omega-3 fatty acids (a good type of fat) than grain-fed beef which are important for reducing inflammation and heart health support.
4. Vegetables Add Nutrients
- Vitamins and Fiber with Antioxidants: In addition to the flavor you gain a nice punch of vitamins and fiber by including onions garlic as well bell peppers in the meatloaf. Garlic and bell peppers are full of antioxidants that decrease oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing the risk for some chronic diseases.
5. May Decrease Carbohydrate Consumption
- Low-Carb Option: Switch out the breadcrumbs with your regular carb-friendly replacement this meatloaf can fit into a keto lifestyle; just stick to one piece, as 1 slice is roughly 5 net carbs.
6. Healthy Fat Content
- Balanced Fats: Now, a combination of ground beef and pork are used because they each provide both saturated (essential) as well as unsaturated fats required for energy production, hormone balance, and fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
7. SodiumContent
- Low-sodium versions of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, or BBQ sauce seasonings: Herbs and spices can elevate the flavors, and are low in sodium, Less salt alternatives You also have your choice when building meatloaf from products like ground beef to going leaner such as turkey (more on that later).
8. Adaptable to Any Diet
- Gluten Free: Serve with a gluten-free roll, wrap, or briocheYou can even use some of breadcrumbs on the top if you wish!
- Dairy-Free: Trade the milk with a dairy-free choice like almond and also oat extract.
- Reduced Fat: Use leaner cuts of meat and less bacon, or substitute with turkey bacon.
💡 The best temperature to cook meatloaf with on a Traeger?
Ideal Temperature to Bake Meatloaf in a Traeger — The answer is 225°F. It melts the fat away from the leanness of this elk meat and produces a moist, tasty loaf on your plate.
💡 How Long to Cook Meatloaf on Traeger?
The cooking duration for Traeger meatloaf can alternate based on the length of your loaf. That being said, in general, it does take 1.5 to 2 hours at the low temp of 225°F (107°C) to cook a meatloaf all the way through.
💡 What At Temperature Is Traeger Meatloaf Done?
The best bit is to check your meatloaf with a thermometer. The temperature internal should be 150°F. Check the meatloaf by sticking a toothpick into it and see if it’s done in the middle. When the toothpick is completely clean, then your meatloaf has finished cooking.
💡 How do I add smoke flavor to my Botiful Smoke meatloaf in the Traeger?
Absolutely! The smoking feature is one of the advantages of cooking with a Traeger and I take full advantage. Various types of flavors are added to your meatloafs with any wood pellets of your liking such as apple, hickory, or mesquite.
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Yummy!! 😎 😆 Traeger Meatloaf is a delicious way to make an old-fashioned comfort food with this Traeger meatloaf recipe. This content will guide you in making an easy tasty juicy meatloaf to impress your family and friends. If you stick with the classic or venture out for a creative new recipe, using your Traeger grill on that meatloaf will take it up to levels never before had. Relish – Enjoy the new, and delicious expressions of gay culture.
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