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Classic Meatloaf Recipe: Best Brown Sugar Glaze

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A juicy, tender classic meatloaf with a sticky brown sugar glaze that caramelizes during baking. This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and ensures a moist texture by balancing fat content and using a milk-soaked breadcrumb base.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) 80/20 ground beef
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 1 cup (100g) plain dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (240ml) ketchup
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and breadcrumbs; let sit for a few minutes to absorb.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, onion, garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and the soaked breadcrumb mixture.
  4. Gently mix ingredients by hand until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Transfer mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing down firmly and smoothing the top.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard until sugar is dissolved.
  7. Bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven, pour off excess liquid from the pan, and spread the glaze evenly over the top.
  9. Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and glaze is caramelized.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid a tough texture. Letting the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes is crucial to allow juices to redistribute. If the glaze burns, cover loosely with foil. For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs for GF alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, ground beef recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meals, classic meatloaf

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