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Savory Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe With Perfect Caramelized Onions

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A hearty and flavorful meatloaf featuring a sweet brown sugar glaze and rich caramelized onions, perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
  • ½ pound ground pork (adds tenderness)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain panko recommended)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat in a skillet. Add thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook gently, stirring every 5 minutes, for about 30-40 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and silky. Stir in 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar if using. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, and milk. Add finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Reserve about one-third of the caramelized onions for topping. Fold the remaining onions into the meat mixture.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan and press gently to form an even loaf. Alternatively, shape freeform on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  6. Spoon half the glaze over the top of the meatloaf, spreading evenly. Reserve the other half for later.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes. About 10 minutes before done, spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf to build a sticky, glossy finish.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Caramelize onions slowly over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Do not overmix meat to keep meatloaf tender. Spread glaze twice during baking for best flavor and texture. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Tent with foil if browning too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, brown sugar glaze, caramelized onions, comfort food, easy dinner, savory meatloaf, family meal

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/savory-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-recipe-with-perfect-caramelized-onions-2/