Easy Alton Brown Smoked Meatloaf Recipe: Savory Homestyle Magic

Smoked meatloaf represents the pinnacle of culinary creativity, blending unexpected ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Bold flavor combinations transform this classic comfort dish into something extraordinary.

Each bite promises a symphony of smoky, rich notes that dance across your palate.

Brown’s ingenious approach challenges traditional meatloaf recipes with surprising elements like cocoa powder and crushed chips.

Complex seasonings elevate a humble protein into a gourmet experience that surprises and delights.

The careful balance of ground meats ensures a tender, juicy result that will impress even discerning dinner guests.

Prepare to revolutionize your dinner routine with this game-changing recipe: savor every smoky, delectable slice.

Building Blocks for Alton Brown’s Smoked Meatloaf

• Ground Chuck, Ground Sirloin, Ground Pork: Rich blend of meats providing deep flavor and juicy texture, choose fresh and high-quality ground meats with good fat content.

• Eggs: Help bind the meatloaf ingredients together and add moisture to the mixture.

• Ketchup, Tomato Paste: Create a tangy and sweet base for the glaze, select high-quality tomato products for better depth of flavor.
• Chipotle Peppers: Provide smoky and spicy undertones to the glaze and overall meatloaf taste.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds complex richness and depth to the glaze, use unsweetened variety.

• Garlic: Offers intense, pungent flavor to the meatloaf mixture.
• Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and moisture to the mixture.
• Chile: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the vegetable blend.
• Onions: Provide a foundational savory flavor to the meatloaf.
• Sage: Introduces an earthy, herbal note to the vegetable mixture.

• Potato Chips: Create a unique crispy texture and help bind the meatloaf, use plain or lightly salted chips.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the meatloaf.

• Heavy-Duty Aluminum Foil: Used for wrapping and managing moisture during smoking.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevent sticking.

How to Craft Alton Brown’s Smoked Meatloaf

Step 1: Craft the Flavor-Packed Glaze

• Ketchup
• Tomato paste
• Chipotle peppers
• Cocoa powder

Set aside of this magical mixture for later glazing.

Step 2: Transform Potato Chips into Magical Crumbs

Pulverize potato chips in a food processor until they look like coarse breadcrumbs. Fold these crispy crumbs into the glaze mixture.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetable Flavor Bomb

• Garlic
• Carrots
• Chile pepper
• Onions

Pulse until finely chopped. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté the veggie mixture with sage and salt for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Let the mixture cool slightly, then mix into the potato chip glaze.

Step 4: Build the Meaty Marvel

• Ground chuck
• Ground sirloin
• Ground pork
• Eggs

Dive in with your hands and mix thoroughly. Shape into a 12x4x2 inch loaf. Wrap snugly in heavy-duty aluminum foil and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.

Step 5: Fire Up the Smoker

Preheat smoker to 250 degrees F. Toss in a hardwood chunk for extra smoky goodness. Puncture drainage holes in the foil-wrapped loaf. Place in smoker with a drip pan underneath. Smoke for 45 minutes.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

Unwrap the foil, folding down to create a shallow pan. Brush generously with the reserved glaze. Insert a meat thermometer and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F (about 40 minutes).

Step 7: Rest and Slice

Remove from smoker and let the meatloaf rest for 30 minutes. Slice into beautiful, smoky portions and serve to eager guests.

Advice for Perfect Alton Brown Smoked Meatloaf

• Chunk Your Flavor: Select robust hardwood like hickory or oak for deep, smoky undertones that complement the meat's richness.
• Rest and Redistribute: Let meatloaf sit quietly for 30 minutes after cooking, allowing precious juices to spread evenly through each slice.
• Verify Internal Heat: Check meat temperature precisely with a reliable thermometer, aiming for 140 degrees F to guarantee safe, juicy results.
• Brush with Finesse: Apply glaze sparingly to create a gorgeous caramelized crust without masking the meat's natural deliciousness.
• Drain Fat Strategically: Punch small holes in foil, enabling excess grease to escape and ensuring crisp edges with perfect smoke absorption.

Proper Storage for Alton Brown’s Smoked Meatloaf

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for your smoked meatloaf. Carefully place the cooled meatloaf in vacuum-seal bags, removing all air to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn. This method extends storage life up to 3 months and preserves the rich, smoky flavors perfectly.
• Cold Storage Containers: Select glass or high-quality plastic containers with tight-fitting lids for optimal preservation. Slice the meatloaf before storing to make reheating and portioning easier. Stack containers strategically to maximize refrigerator space while keeping the meatloaf protected from other food odors.
• Portion Freezing: Break down the smoked meatloaf into individual serving sizes before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a labeled freezer bag.

Fun Variations on Alton Brown’s Smoked Meatloaf

• Spicy Southwest Kick: Replace chipotle peppers with diced green chiles and add cumin and chili powder for a southwestern flavor profile. Incorporate crushed tortilla chips instead of potato chips for extra crunch.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap sage for fresh oregano and rosemary. Mix in crumbled feta cheese and use sun-dried tomato paste instead of regular tomato paste. Sprinkle za'atar seasoning on top before smoking.
• Bacon-Wrapped Ranch Fusion: Wrap the entire meatloaf with thin bacon strips before smoking. Mix ranch seasoning into the vegetable mixture and replace ketchup with ranch dressing in the glaze. Add chopped chives for extra freshness.
• Asian-Inspired Umami Blend: Substitute ketchup with hoisin sauce and add grated ginger to the vegetable mixture. Replace potato chips with crushed rice crackers. Incorporate soy sauce and sesame oil into the glaze for deep umami flavor.

Concluding Overview of Alton Brown’s Smoked Meatloaf

Culinary adventurers seeking smoky, savory satisfaction have found their ultimate comfort dish.

Alton Brown’s smoked meatloaf elevates classic comfort cuisine with innovative techniques and bold flavor profiles.

Potato chips and chipotle peppers create unexpected depth, while multiple meat blends guarantee rich complexity.

Hardwood smoke infuses the loaf with rustic, earthy undertones that dance across taste buds.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges home cooking and professional gastronomy.

Hungry readers, fire up those smokers, share this mouthwatering masterpiece across social channels, and let fellow meat enthusiasts marvel at your newfound culinary prowess.

Why Alton Brown’s Smoked Meatloaf Takes It Up a Notch

• Smoky Flavor Adventure: Hardwood chunks transform this meatloaf into a remarkable taste journey, infusing deep, rich smokiness that elevates classic comfort food with exciting outdoor cooking techniques.
• Texture Sensation: Crushed potato chips create an unexpected crispy element, while finely chopped vegetables and multiple meat types ensure a tender, juicy interior that keeps every bite interesting and delightful.
• Gourmet Twist on Classic: Unconventional ingredients like cocoa powder and chipotle peppers in the glaze provide a sophisticated flavor profile that surprises taste buds, turning ordinary meatloaf into a restaurant-worthy dish that impresses without complicated cooking skills.
• Low-Maintenance Cooking Method: Although the recipe takes time, most steps involve simple mixing and minimal active cooking, making it perfect for home cooks who want complex flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.

Alton Brown Smoked Meatloaf Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s smoked meatloaf blends classic comfort with barbecue brilliance, creating a smoky masterpiece that elevates traditional family dinner. Meat lovers will discover a perfectly seasoned, tender loaf with rich flavors that dance between hearty nostalgia and innovative grilling techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Proteins:

• 1 pound ground chuck (beef)
• 1 pound ground sirloin (beef)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 3 large eggs

Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:

• ⅔ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 ounces (56 grams) chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 medium carrot, cut into 6 pieces
• 1 Fresno chile, seeded
• 1 medium onion, cut into 8 pieces
• 6 ounces (170 grams) barbecue potato chips (kettle-style), crushed

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Instructions

1. Create a zesty glaze by blending ketchup, tomato paste, smoky chipotle peppers, and rich cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Carefully set aside 1/3 cup of this vibrant mixture for later application.
2. Transform potato chips into fine, textured crumbs using a food processor. Gently fold these crispy fragments into the prepared ketchup-based glaze.
3. Pulse garlic, carrots, fresh chile, and onions in the food processor until finely minced. Warm olive oil in a skillet, then sauté the vegetable mixture with fragrant sage and a pinch of salt for approximately 5 minutes until tender. Incorporate this aromatic blend into the potato chip mixture, allowing it to cool slightly.
4. Combine ground chuck, lean sirloin, ground pork, and eggs in the bowl. Thoroughly blend the ingredients using clean hands, ensuring even distribution. Carefully shape the mixture into a compact 12x4x2 inch (30.5x10x5 centimeters) loaf. Encase completely in heavy-duty aluminum foil and let it rest at room temperature for one hour.
5. Prepare the smoker by heating to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius). Introduce a robust hardwood chunk to enhance flavor. Puncture drainage holes in the foil-wrapped meatloaf’s base. Position the loaf in the smoker above a drip pan, allowing for proper moisture collection. Smoke for 45 minutes.
6. Unfold the foil to create a shallow cooking vessel. Generously brush the reserved glaze over the meatloaf’s surface. Insert a meat thermometer and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), which typically takes about 40 minutes.
7. Remove the meatloaf from the smoker and allow it to rest for 30 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute. Slice carefully and serve immediately to preserve optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Achieve perfect moisture and flavor by wrapping the meatloaf in foil with strategic drainage holes to prevent dryness.
• Elevate the texture and taste by combining ground chuck, sirloin, and pork for a more complex and interesting meat blend.
• Infuse deep smoky essence using a hardwood chunk in the smoker, transforming this classic comfort food into a gourmet experience.
• Create an unexpected flavor explosion with a glaze featuring chipotle peppers and cocoa powder, delivering a sweet-and-spicy kick.
• Crush potato chips to introduce a delightful crispy texture that adds incredible depth and crunch to the traditional meatloaf recipe.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Smoking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg