Brown Sugar Meatloaf

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Brown sugar meatloaf is a tasty twist on a classic comfort food. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a family dinner. The secret to this meatloaf’s amazing flavor is the sweet and tangy sauce made with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.

You’ll love how simple it is to put together. Just mix the ground beef with breadcrumbs, onion soup mix, and a few other ingredients. Then top it with the delicious sauce before baking. In about an hour, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal that everyone will enjoy.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty brown sugar meatloaf:

For the meatloaf:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 ounce packet onion soup mix
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup milk

For the sauce:

• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup brown sugar

You’ll also need a bread loaf pan to bake your meatloaf in. This recipe makes 4 servings and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes total to prepare and cook.

Remember to preheat your oven to 350°F before you start mixing your ingredients. This will ensure it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get a large bowl and gently crumble the ground beef into it. Break it up into small pieces.

Add these ingredients to the bowl:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup milk

Mix everything together gently. Don’t overwork the meat or it might get tough.

In a separate bowl, make the sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Stir the sauce well. Spread half of it in a bread loaf pan, coating the bottom and sides.

Put the meat mixture in the pan. Press it down firmly to form a loaf shape. Pour the rest of the sauce over the top.

Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Check that the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).

Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before you slice it. Enjoy your tasty meal!

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find brown sugar for your meatloaf glaze? No worries! You’ve got options. Here are some tasty alternatives you can try:

• Honey: Use 1/4 cup honey instead of brown sugar
• Maple syrup: Replace brown sugar with 1/4 cup maple syrup
• White sugar + molasses: Mix 1/4 cup white sugar with 1 teaspoon molasses
• Coconut sugar: Swap in 1/4 cup coconut sugar

For a sugar-free option, try sugar-free maple syrup. It works great as a brown sugar substitute in glazes.

Want to change up the meat? Try these swaps:

• Ground turkey for a leaner option
• Ground pork for extra flavor
• Mix of beef and pork for a classic combo

No breadcrumbs? No problem! Use:

• Crushed crackers
• Rolled oats
• Almond flour (for a low-carb choice)

These substitutes let you customize your meatloaf. Feel free to mix and match based on what’s in your kitchen. Happy cooking!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this brown sugar meatloaf more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few simple swaps. Use lean ground turkey instead of beef to reduce fat and calories. Replace regular breadcrumbs with whole wheat or almond flour for more fiber and fewer carbs.

Cut the brown sugar in half or use a sugar substitute. Try stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Swap out the regular milk for unsweetened almond milk. This lowers the carb count.

For the sauce, use sugar-free ketchup and less vinegar. Add some pureed vegetables like carrots or zucchini to the meat mix. This adds nutrients and moisture without extra carbs.

Here are some key changes:

• Ground turkey instead of beef
• Whole wheat breadcrumbs
• Half the brown sugar or sugar substitute
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Sugar-free ketchup
• Added veggies (carrots, zucchini)

These tweaks make the meatloaf more blood sugar-friendly. You still get great flavor with less impact on your glucose levels. Remember to watch your portion size too. Enjoy your healthier meatloaf!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Don’t overmix the meat when combining ingredients. This keeps your meatloaf tender. Use clean hands to gently mix everything together.

For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or grated cheese to the meat mixture. About 2-3 cloves of garlic or 1/2 cup of cheese works well.

Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps it hold together better when slicing.

To store leftovers, wrap the meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can freeze meatloaf for up to 3 months. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat, slice the meatloaf and warm it in a skillet or microwave. Add a splash of beef broth to keep it moist.

For a fun twist, try making mini meatloaves in a muffin tin. They cook faster and are great for portion control.