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Quick Juicy Mini Meatloaves Recipe with Easy BBQ Glaze for Dinner

quick juicy mini meatloaves - featured image

These quick and juicy mini meatloaves are perfect for busy weeknights, featuring a simple meat mixture and a sticky, sweet BBQ glaze that caramelizes beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
  • ½ cup (75 g) yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs (panko or gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika
  • BBQ glaze:
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons (25 g) brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) mustard (Dijon or yellow)
  • Optional: dash of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
  3. Mix gently but thoroughly until ingredients are uniformly combined without overworking the meat.
  4. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each into a small loaf about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in muffin cups.
  5. In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and hot sauce if using. Warm gently until sugar dissolves and glaze thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  6. Brush the BBQ glaze evenly over each mini meatloaf.
  7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the glaze bubbles and caramelizes.
  8. Let the meatloaves rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid dense, dry meatloaves. Finely chopping or briefly sautéing onions can add extra moisture and sweetness. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. Resting the meatloaves after baking keeps them juicy. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken with added oil or broth for moisture. Glaze alternatives include honey mustard or spicy sriracha. Can be cooked in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 15-18 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini meatloaves, quick dinner, BBQ glaze, ground beef recipe, easy meatloaf, weeknight dinner, comfort food