Not your average meatloaf recipe, this glazed chipotle meatloaf is packed with bold flavors like chipotle peppers, pepper jack cheese, chili powder and cumin!
Meatloaf gets a bad rep for being dry and boring, but this glazed chipotle meatloaf recipe is certainly an exception! Bold spicy, smoky and savory flavor are combined in the meatloaf and it’s glazed with a mouthwatering smoky/sweet sauce that is irresistible!
I have to be honest with you… growing up, I wasn’t really a meatloaf fan. It just didn’t appeal to me. When I first moved out, we had meatloaf occasionally, but it was definitely not in the usual dinner rotation. But now… we have it a LOT! We also really love this Crockpot Meatloaf!
But lately, I’ve been experimenting with other flavors… and I came across this chipotle meatloaf recipe in a Southern Living magazine. I tried it and was blown away! The recipe was pretty spectacular, but I did add a few of my own changes (as I do with just about any recipe I try lol).
HOW DO I KEEP MEATLOAF FROM DRYING OUT?
Unfortunately, a lot of meatloaf recipes come out dry and bland. My favorite way to keep meatloaf moist is to not use dry breadcrumbs. Instead, I use fresh bread and dice it up into super small pieces. Then I soak those pieces in milk. It has a really great way of still helping bind the meat together, but also keeping it really moist and delicious!
Another trick is to put a big pan of water on the rack underneath the meatloaf pan. The steam created will make for the softest, moistest meatloaf ever!
HOW LONG DO I BAKE A 2 LB MEATLOAF?
That depends a lot on what temperature your oven is set to… but I generally bake meatloaf at either 350 or 375 F degrees. At 350 F degrees, it will take about 60-90 minutes. At 375 F degrees, it will take about 50-70 minutes.
All ovens will vary though, so I recommend checking the meatloaf on the early end of the time range. I pull my meatloaf from the oven when it’s between 155-160 F degrees, and it will continue cooking as it sits. You always want to let your meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking, so it stays juicy, and it helps it hold together better when you slice it.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING THIS MEATLOAF RECIPE:
- Use your hands to mix. Some people like to use a wooden spoon, but I find your hands are the best tools for the job. Wear latex/nitrile gloves if you don’t want meatloaf hands… and mix just until everything is combined.
- Save some of the ketchup sauce. Make more sauce than you need, and after you slather some on the top, reserve the rest and drizzle it over the slices.
- A meatloaf pan is awesome, but not absolutely necessary. This is a great tutorial on how to make meatloaf without a special pan (without having it swimming in grease).
- This meatloaf recipe can be made in the slow cooker! In the recipe below, I have special instructions for this cooking method.
HELPFUL TOOLS:
- Meatloaf pan – In case you’re in the market for one, this is the one I use, and LOVE! Cleanup is a breeze.
- Meat thermometer – Great for determining when your meatloaf is done, and the probe stays in it, and will beep when it hits 150-155 degrees, so you don’t have to keep continually checking it!
- Nitrile gloves – save yourself some major hand scrubbing!
- Chipotles in adobo sauce – this is the brand I like to use.
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Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup finely diced bread slices
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 lbs ground beef (I use ground chuck 80/20 or 85/15)
- 2/3 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, minced
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
CHIPOTLE KETCHUP SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2-3 Tbsp adobo sauce from the can of chipotle peppers
- 2 -3 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Add butter to small skillet and melt over MED heat. Add onion and cook 4-5 minutes, until soft and slightly browned on the edges, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Add diced bread pieces and milk to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add beef, cheese, cilantro, minced chipotle peppers, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, beaten egg and cooked onion mixture. Mix together until just combined.
- Lightly spray a meatloaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pat meatloaf into prepared pan.
- Combine sauce ingredients in small bowl. Slather about half the sauce on the top of meatloaf, and bake for 60-90 minutes, until meatloaf is about 150-155 F degrees. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Use the remaining half of the sauce to spoon over the top or dip the meatloaf in as you eat 🙂
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:
- Complete steps 1-2 as written above. Line a 4 quart or larger slow cooker with aluminum foil or parchment paper with holes poked into it every 1-2 inches (to drain the grease after cooking). Shape meatloaf into a loaf shape and place on foil/parchment paper.
- Top with half the sauce, cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, until meatloaf is 150-155 F degrees. Carefully lift meatloaf out of slow cooker, letting grease drain through the holes. If desired, place on baking sheet and broil a few minutes, until sauce is sticky. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
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Chef Tips
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Fernandez says
Instructions were clear and I was able to make a great meatloaf, first time!
Kariiosta says
For the sauce, I blended the remainder of the chipotles and sauce together with some leftover tomato sauce, added some apple cider vinegar, salt and the brown sugar. I also added more salt to the recipe.
Kariiosta says
I also tripled the garlic. Blended egg and milk then added coarsely chopped bread. Mixed and let bread soak, then mix again into mush. Broiled the meatloaf on top to brown and get more flavour, then brushed on glaze.
Verona says
Just making this again for the 2nd time this week. It’s delicious!
Becky says
This is the BEST meatloaf I have ever made and tasted.
The dish is company worthy. The Sauce could be used on anything.
I am going to try Salmon. Just a REAL Saver.
Mrsjhaus says
Words can not describe how flavorful and moist this meatloaf is!
Stacie says
Loved this one! My boys and hubby loved the spice. I followed the recommended process of chopping bread and soaking in milk. I only had provolone on hand, but it was awesome! Thanks, Chef❤️
Terry says
Great meatloaf! I cut the leftover meatloaf into slices, browned them in a pan with the glaze sauce, melted cheddar cheese on top and made the best burger!
Edith Budaj says
One of the best meatloaf recipes EVER! It was moist and so flavorful, but not too spicy. My husband requests it often. Thanks so much.