Bourbon-Glazed Bacon Meatloaf Recipe

Bourbon Bacon Meatloaf is anything but ordinary. This tender, flavorful loaf combines ground beef with crisp bacon folded into the mixture and more bacon layered on top. The highlight is a glossy bourbon glaze that blends fruit preserves and barbecue sauce with a touch of bourbon for a sweet-savory finish that elevates the whole dish.

If you want a reliable, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s simple to prepare and impressive to serve, this Bourbon Bacon Meatloaf delivers. It balances savory beef, smoky bacon, and a caramelized glaze for a satisfying main course that’s great for family dinners or gatherings.

Meatloaf sometimes gets a bad reputation, but there are countless variations and flavor combinations that make it endlessly adaptable. This version keeps things straightforward but flavorful: common pantry ingredients and easy steps produce a loaf with great texture and bold, balanced taste.

The bourbon glaze is the key component—don’t be put off by the alcohol. Cooking the bourbon with preserves and barbecue sauce concentrates the flavor and caramelizes into a sticky-sweet coating that complements both beef and bacon. The result tastes upscale without requiring complicated techniques.

Serve this glazed meatloaf with simple sides like roasted green beans and mashed potatoes, or pair it with comfort-food favorites such as ranch potatoes and soft dinner rolls for a hearty meal.

For the meatloaf:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2/3 cup quick-cook oats
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 slices bacon, divided

For the Bourbon Glaze:

• 3/4 cup cherry preserves (or any fruit preserves)
• 1/4 cup bourbon (or another whiskey or cognac)
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Make the glaze by combining the preserves, bourbon, and barbecue sauce in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Fry the bacon slices over medium heat until crisp. Crumble most of the bacon into small pieces and reserve about 1/4 cup of crumbled bacon to sprinkle on top of the loaf later.

Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the crumbled bacon, oats, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix gently with your hands until evenly combined, taking care not to overwork the mixture.

Step 5: Shape the mixture into a loaf, keeping it as rectangular as possible so the ends don’t overcook. Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with nonstick aluminum foil, or set it on a rack over the sheet. Lining the pan helps prevent glaze from sticking and burning.

Step 6: Pour most of the bourbon glaze over the meatloaf, coating the top and sides. Bake for about 50 minutes, then baste with more glaze and continue baking.

Step 7: Scatter the reserved bacon pieces over the glazed loaf and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest a few minutes before slicing. Serve with any remaining glaze on the side.

Let the meatloaf rest briefly so juices redistribute, then slice and serve. The sweet, caramelized glaze and crispy bacon make every bite rich and satisfying.

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Bourbon Bacon Meatloaf

This tender main dish features ground beef and bacon with a sticky-sweet bourbon glaze for a flavorful, memorable meatloaf.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 651kcal

Author: A H

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• ⅔ cup quick cook oats
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 slices bacon (divided)

For the glaze:

• 3/4 cup cherry preserves (or any fruit preserve)
• 1/4 cup bourbon (or another whiskey or cognac)
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

• Set oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Combine glaze ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Fry bacon until crisp, crumble most of it, and reserve 1/4 cup for topping.
• Mix ground beef, crumbled bacon, oats, milk, eggs, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt until just combined.
• Shape into a loaf and place on a foil-lined baking sheet or rack.
• Brush with glaze and bake about 50 minutes, basting with more glaze halfway through.
• Top with reserved bacon and bake 10 more minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Let rest before slicing.