We\u2019ve all had meatloaf at some point in our lives. Those childhood memories scream dry and tough slices of meat that we all tried to avoid. I\u2019m here to put a stop to dry, hard, flavorless meatloafs for good! My Easy Smoked Meatloaf<\/strong> recipe is soft, juicy and flavorful. A few important tips and tricks<\/em> will have you making meatloaf for dinner all the time.<\/p>\n For more easy dinner solutions try my delicious braised chicken in tomato sauce<\/a> recipe or a fan favorite the smoked crab stuffed salmon<\/a>.<\/p>\n Key factors that make for one good meatloaf are moisture, flavor and does it hold together. Using the right meat blend, strong flavors and multiple binder options will result in the best easy smoked meatloaf<\/strong> you\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n Trust me when I say, as a kid I hated meatloaf, as many of us did. But my kids love my recipe and enjoy it just as much as a grilled steak. Don\u2019t over think it, don\u2019t over do it<\/em> and it will be perfect.<\/p>\n Dad\u2019s Seasonings <\/p>\n Must have grillin seasonings!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n There are a few steps you can take to ensure a moist meatloaf<\/em> once it\u2019s done. All of this is in the prep work.<\/p>\n About an hour before starting the recipe, roast a whole head of garlic in the oven. Cut off the tip, drizzle with olive oil, season with sea salt, wrap tightly in foil and in the oven it goes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour. Let it cool off before adding to the easy smoked meatloaf mixture.<\/p>\n Next, dice a yellow onion and saut\u00e9 until it is translucent. Let it rest and cool off.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re running short on time you can skip the roasted garlic and use fresh, minced instead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What truly keeps a meatloaf moist is the breadcrumb paste. In a cup, add plain unseasoned breadcrumbs and milk. Mix the ingredients together and set to the side. Allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the milk. It will look like paste or oatmeal, but trust me, this is the secret to a tender and juicy meatloaf.<\/strong><\/p>\n In a separate large mixing bowl, add ground beef. I recommend using a fattier chuck roast 80% lean and 20% fat. More fat renders down during the cooking process keeping the meat juicy and flavorful. <\/p>\n To the bowl add in 2 whisked eggs, the milky breadcrumb paste, saut\u00e9ed onions, roasted garlic, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish mustard, finely chopped parsley and seasoning. <\/p>\n Create a flavor profile you enjoy most. For a BBQ meatloaf, add some brown sugar and bbq sauce into the mix. For a spicy meatloaf, finely dice up a jalapeno and use hot sauce in the mixture. Make it your own and don\u2019t be afraid of flavor!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The ingredients are half the battle to getting the perfect moist, tender and flavorful meatloaf. You need to put some love into it when mixing and shaping.<\/p>\n Mix the ingredients together by hand. Do not use a spatula or mixer. Gentle mixing of the ingredients allows everything to be combined while not over working it. By mixing too hard or too much, you run the risk of making the meatloaf tough and crumbly. Mix just enough to blend the ingredients evenly.<\/p>\n Next, remove the meatloaf blend, place it on a sheet pan lined with butcher paper and gently shape the mixture into an oval loaf. Make sure all sides and edges are sealed to prevent cracks later on.<\/p>\n Finish it off with a light layer of Dad\u2019s All Purpose rub<\/a> over the outside. This will give the meat additional savory flavors as well as create a nice bark.<\/p>\n Using an open sheet pan rather than a meatloaf pan will allow the smokiness from the grill to penetrate through the meat while it\u2019s smoking away. <\/p>\n When using a flat sheet tray, do not place the raw formed meatloaf on a wire rack. The meat will sink into the wires while it smokes making it difficult to remove once done.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The best way to enjoy a deliciously juicy and flavorful easy smoked meatloaf<\/strong> is to smoke it on the grill. The added smokiness adds a rustic layer that cannot be achieved in the oven. <\/p>\n![\"Easy](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/meatloaf-sliced-1200x1200.jpg\"\/)
![\"Easy](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/meatloaf-sliced-1200x1200.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhat Makes a Good Meatloaf?<\/h2>\n
Ingredient List for an Easy Smoked Meatloaf.<\/h2>\n
![\"easy](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Worchestershire-Sauce-9.jpg\"\/)
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<\/figure>\nSecret to making a moist smoked meatloaf.<\/h2>\n
Recipe Tip<\/h2>\n
![\"milk](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/meatloaf-paste-1200x1200.jpg\"\/)
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<\/figure>\nRecipe Tip<\/h2>\n
![\"raw](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/meatloaf-filling-1200x1200.jpg\"\/)
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<\/figure>\nHow to properly form a meatloaf.<\/h2>\n
![\"blended](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/meatloaf-mixed-1200x1200.jpg\"\/)
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<\/figure>\nRecipe Tip<\/h2>\n
How to smoke a meatloaf.<\/h2>\n
![\"glazing](\"https:\/\/grillinwithdad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/meatlloaf-saucing-1200x1200.jpg\"\/)
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