Sweet Mandarin-Glazed Smoked Meatloaf

We often hear the comparison that things are "like apples and oranges". (Which don't actually seem all that dissimilar...but that's another post for another day.) To translate that into Traeger terms we're going to say that they are like "smoked meatloaf and mandarin oranges".

At first glance it doesn't sound like those two should get along but, oh they do. But not just any old orange. We want a spicy mandarin orange glaze, flecked with chile flakes. It coats the rich beef, sealing in the juices and giving the exterior a sweet crust. It's so good, you'd happily wait in line at the DMV for a little slice.

SWEET MANDARIN-GLAZED SMOKED MEATLOAF

PREP TIME: 2 1/2 hours, including time to set up in the fridge
COOK TIME: about 2 hours
RECOMMENDED PELLETS: Hickory
SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. lean ground beef
10 to 12 slices peppered bacon
2 eggs
1 large onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Traeger Asian BBQ Rub
1 bottle Traeger Mandarin Glaze Sauce
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish

PREPARATION

Place ground beef in a large mixing bowl; set aside.

Dice the bacon slices and cook in a skillet until lightly browned.

Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside.

Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from skillet. Add the onion, garlic and pepper and saute until onion is translucent.

Add to the ground beef along with the bread crumbs, eggs, Traeger Asian BBQ Rub, milk, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and 1/3 cup Traeger Mandarin Glaze Sauce. Mix well to blend all ingredients.

Cover and place beef mixture into the fridge for at least 2 hours. Mold the beef into large round - you could even use the mixing bowl to shape it.

Start the Traeger on Smoke, lid open, until the fire is established (about 5 minutes).

Carefully place the loaf on a cooking grid/rack placed on top of an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet.

Close lid and smoke on the Traeger for 1 hour.

Turn the heat up and cook until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 150 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Carefully slide the meatloaf onto a place and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before dusting with more chopped cilantro and slicing and serving.

PRINTABLE RECIPE:

 

Sweet Mandarin Glazed Meatloaf Recipe.docx (12.46 kb)