Honey Chipotle Meatloaf
Updated
Updated
This Honey Chipotle Meatloaf is perfectly seasoned and coated with a fabulous sweet and spicy glaze. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare and comes out so tender, but holds up to slicing without crumbling apart. This easy meatloaf recipe will knock your socks off!
If you prefer a more traditional meatloaf, you can’t go wrong with our classic meatloaf recipe, made with both ground beef and Italian sausage, and a sweet and tangy (not spicy) glaze.
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Sweet and Smoky Easy Meatloaf Recipe
Meatloaf is incredibly versatile and loved by so many, which explains why there are a million recipes for it. Here’s another one for you – and my go-to!
This easy meatloaf recipe has a super tender texture thanks to rolled oats and milk, with an incredible glaze that’s both sweet and spicy.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce is pretty spicy, but it’s balanced out perfectly by honey and vinegar. Every bite of the meatloaf will leave your taste buds singing and lips tingling!
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need for this easy meatloaf recipe:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Meat – This recipe calls for 2 pounds of lean ground beef (85% fat.)
- Oats – Instead of breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs for the filler, we prefer quick-cooking oats.
- Onion – Very finely minced onion is a key element in meatloaf. Not only does onion provide great flavor, the oats will soak up the onion juices and expand while baking, making the meatloaf nice and tender.
- Garlic – For aromatics and flavor.
- Eggs – Eggs help with structure, acting as a binder that holds it all together.
- Milk – The oats soak up the milk, which is necessary for moisture in meatloaf.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – This is jalapeño chiles that have been dried, smoked and then packed in a flavorful sauce made of tangy tomatoes and spices. It adds a wonderful smoky flavor and some heat. (The chipotle peppers can be replaced with sriracha, but it will change the flavor and heat some.)
- Seasonings – Simple salt and pepper season the meatloaf.
- Meatloaf glaze – The fantastic sweet and spicy glaze is a combination of honey, apple cider vinegar, and chipotle peppers.
How to Make Meatloaf
Making this meatloaf recipe is so easy and a great weeknight dinner. Here’s a brief summary:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Combine the ingredients. Using your hands, combine all the meatloaf ingredients, except the glaze; mix thoroughly.
- Form the loaf. Transfer the mixture to a foiled lined baking sheet coated with nonstick spray and shape into a loaf approximately 2 inches high by 4 inches wide, making it as uniform as possible. Smooth the top.
- Bake. Bake at 350F on the middle oven rack for 60 minutes; set a timer for 30.
- Make the glaze. While the meatloaf is cooking, make the glaze by whisking together the honey, minced chipotle peppers, and vinegar.
- Glaze the meatloaf in intervals. When the timer beeps at 30 minutes, generously brush the glaze over the top of the meatloaf. Place back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Repeat the glaze two more times in 10 minute intervals
- Let rest. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then slice and serve!
What temperature is meatloaf done? The internal temperature of this cooked meatloaf should be 170 degrees F.
How long to cook meatloaf? At 350 degrees F, a 2-pound meatloaf shaped like this one will take about 1 hour to reach an internal temperature of 170F. The meatloaf can be cooked in a loaf pan, but cooking time will increase closer to 90 minutes, and you won’t be able to glaze the sides.
Tips for Success
- Finely mince or grate the onion. No need to sauté the onion first if you grate or very finely dice it. By doing this, it will cook through and the oats will soak up the onion juices, creating necessary moisture.
- Do not overmix. Bring all the ingredients together, but don’t over-mix or you’ll end up with dense meatloaf that’s tough.
- Do you cover meatloaf when baking? No, you want the meatloaf to brown on top and the glaze to caramelize. If you notice the loaf is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil toward the end, but before you apply the glaze.
- Let the meatloaf rest. After it’s done baking, let the loaf rest for 10 minute before slicing. Much like letting a roast or steak rest, it allows the juices to set.
What to Serve with Meatloaf
Serving meatloaf over creamy mashed potatoes is always a perfect pair. For a lower carb option, mashed cauliflower is also great. We also like to serve a couple slices alongside roasted carrots or roasted green beans, plus a simple side salad. That’s a plate of pure, wonderful comfort food. Make sure to leave a little for sandwiches the next day!
Proper Storage
- Make ahead: You can easily prepare the raw meatloaf up to 1 day ahead of time. Simply form the mixture on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When it’s close to dinner time, uncover it and let it come to room temperature before baking.
- Storing leftovers: Allow to cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or place in an airtight container and transfer to the refrigerator. It will keep 3-4 days.
- Can you freeze meatloaf? Yes, meatloaf freezes very well either cooked and cooled or formed and raw. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, again in foil, then transfer to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. All of this will help prevent freezer-burn. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake or reheat.
- How to reheat meatloaf: Place leftover meatloaf in a shallow oven-safe baking dish with 1 to 2 tablespoons of beef broth (or water) to avoid it from drying out. Cover the dish with foil. Transfer to a preheated 250 degree F oven for 25-30 minutes or until the meatloaf is warmed through. You can also reheat portions in the microwave until warmed through.
More Comfort Food Recipes:
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Honey Chipotle Meatloaf
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, , finely diced or grated
- 2 cloves garlic, , minced
- 1 large chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, , minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, , minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, using your hands, combine all the meatloaf ingredients; mix thoroughly. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a loaf approximately 2 inches high by 4 inches wide, making it as uniform as possible. Smooth the top.
- Transfer meatloaf to the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 60 minutes; set a timer for 30.
- While the meatloaf is cooking, make the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, 2 tablespoons minced chipotle peppers, and vinegar.
- When the timer beeps at 30 minutes, generously brush the glaze over the top of the meatloaf. Place back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Repeat the glaze two more times in 10 minute intervals.
- The meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!
Love this! I’m making it again for at least the 5th time. Recipe is perfect exactly as it is, and baking it on the tin foil for optimal glazing was genius. Highly recommended!
DELICIOUS! My husband loved it, as did I!
I am not the biggest fan of meatloaf but this good enough for me to post a comment. My husband said “don’t lose that recipe!”
I would give this recipe 10 stars if I could. My entire family loved it so much. Had enough leftovers for sandwiches the next day..and then we all cried when it was gone. Making it again next week!!
Daaaaaaaang this was so good!! It takes an extraordinary meatloaf to bowl me over, but this is it.
This meatloaf if just perfection. It’s so tender and the glaze is heavenly. My boys absolutely love it.
Oh my god. The glaze on this meatloaf is what dreams are made of. Its perfectly sweet and spicy and just…CHEF’S KISS!!
This is my families favorite meatloaf recipe – I’ve made it so many times!