Bourbon Glaze Meatloaf Recipe Recipe – Cozy, sweet-spiced comfort for the weeknight table

Introduction

The kitchen smells like caramel and onions when this goes in the oven—warm, bright, and a little boozy. I call it my Bourbon Glaze Meatloaf Recipe, and it always pulls the family to the table. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. If you want something sweet to finish, I sometimes serve a simple treat like 3-Ingredient Mounds-Style Bars.

Why You’ll Love This

• Comforting flavors: sweet apricot and smoky bourbon melt into beef.
• Friendly to weeknights: mixes and bakes in under 90 minutes.
• Crowd-pleaser: kids love the cheesy center and sticky glaze.
• Budget-smart: simple pantry items make a big impression — and it pairs nicely with easy drinks for brunch.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 55–65 minutes
• Total time: about 1 hour 20 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: sweet + spiced with melty cheese

This is forgiving and straightforward, so you’ll feel confident before you even preheat the oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup plain bread crumbs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup onions (diced)
• 1 cup bell pepper (diced)
• 1 jalapeño (diced)
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp all purpose seasoning (Tony’s brand)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
• 1 cup cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup apricot jam
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• ½ cup bourbon
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup water

Chef notes:

• Fresh onion = sweeter aroma.
• Use room-temp eggs for even mixing.
• Mild cheddar melts smoothly.

For more home-style ideas, see all recipes.

How to Make It

1. First, start with your ground beef in a large bowl.
2. Then add the bread crumbs, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeño, onions, onion powder, garlic powder, all purpose seasoning, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined; don’t overwork the meat.
3. Next, fold in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese so you get pockets of melty goodness.
4. Meanwhile, whisk together the apricot jam, dark brown sugar, sriracha, bourbon, BBQ sauce, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer low until it thickens and smells boozy and caramelized—about 6 minutes.
5. Now, shape the meat into a loaf on a lined baking sheet or in a loaf pan, tucking the edges so it holds. Smooth the top with a wet spatula.
6. Then brush half the bourbon glaze over the loaf. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–55 minutes, basting once more with glaze halfway through. You want firm sides and a slightly domed top; juices should run clear at the center.
7. Finally, rest the loaf 10 minutes so it sets, then brush a final glossy layer of glaze so your Bourbon Glaze Meatloaf Recipe shines.

Tip: if the glaze darkens too fast, tent with foil and finish baking.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: prep the glaze while the loaf rests in the oven.
2. Common mistake + fix: don’t overmix the meat; stop when ingredients are evenly blended to avoid a tough loaf.
3. Simple variation: swap jalapeño for green chiles or stir in chopped fresh thyme.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: slice, serve with mashed potatoes and steamed greens.
• Casual party: serve thick slices on slider buns with extra glaze.
• Holiday twist: pair with roasted root vegetables and a crisp salad.
• Garnish: chopped parsley or thin lemon zest for brightness.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: keep in an airtight container up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer: slice, wrap well, and freeze up to 3 months.
• Reheat: warm gently in the oven (300°F) covered to preserve moisture.
  Leftover idea: make a hearty sandwich with mustard, pickles, and leftover glaze.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Assemble the loaf, wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Glaze and bake the next day.

Q: Can I swap beef for turkey or pork?
A: You can. Note turkey is leaner, so add a tablespoon of olive oil or an extra egg for moisture.

Q: How do I know it’s done?
A: Use an instant-read thermometer; aim for 160°F in the center, and look for no pink juices.

Q: Can I freeze this?
A: Yes—freeze before or after baking. Thaw in the fridge, then reheat gently or finish in the oven. For lighter sides, try a banana smoothie for weight loss.

Final Thoughts

I love how the sweet apricot and brown sugar play against the smoky bourbon and jalapeño heat. Please tweak the glaze heat or the cheese mix to make it your own. Give it a try this week and let the kitchen fill up with that cozy, sticky aroma—this Bourbon Glaze Meatloaf Recipe is one you’ll come back to.

Conclusion

For another take on this flavor combo, see The Best Bourbon Glaze Meatloaf – Let’s Eat Cuisine for ideas.
If you want a glossy, classic glaze approach, check out Bourbon Glazed Meatloaf – The View from Great Island for inspiration.

Bourbon Glaze Meatloaf

Comforting meatloaf with a sweet apricot and smoky bourbon glaze that the whole family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup plain bread crumbs
• ½ cup milk Use room-temperature for even mixing
• 2 pcs eggs Room-temperature is ideal
• 1 cup onions, diced Fresh onion adds sweetness
• 1 cup bell pepper, diced
• 1 pc jalapeño, diced Can substitute with green chiles
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp all purpose seasoning (Tony's brand)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ tsp salt and pepper
• 1 cup cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese Use mild cheddar for smooth melting

Bourbon Glaze

• 1 cup apricot jam
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• ½ cup bourbon
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup water

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeño, onions, onion powder, garlic powder, all purpose seasoning, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined; don’t overwork the meat.
3. Fold in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until evenly distributed.

Making the Glaze

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the apricot jam, dark brown sugar, sriracha, bourbon, BBQ sauce, and water. Simmer on low heat until the mixture thickens—about 6 minutes.

Baking

1. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf on a lined baking sheet or in a loaf pan, smoothing the top with a wet spatula.
2. Brush half the bourbon glaze over the loaf.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, basting with the glaze halfway through.
4. The meatloaf is done when the sides are firm and the juices run clear at the center.

Finishing Touch

1. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before brushing a final layer of glaze on top.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider garnishing with chopped parsley or lemon zest. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months.