Bacon-wrapped meatloaf is amazing. The bacon imparts a wonderful smoky flavor and helps keep the meat nice and juicy. 🥓
This meatloaf is so tasty. The bacon adds great flavor, and it also keeps the meat from drying out.
As a kid, I wasn't too fond of meatloaf. I felt it was dry and bland. But when you add ingredients to lock juices inside the meat and then wrap the meatloaf with bacon, it's really good!
Bacon makes everything better
I love bacon (duh), and I love meatloaf - it's such a tasty comfort food. So it only makes sense that combining these two would create something wonderful.
Indeed - bacon makes everything better, and meatloaf is no exception. The bacon keeps the meat from drying out, which is definitely a bonus, especially if you're low carb and/or paleo and you don't use milk-soaked bread in the mixture.
If you'd rather avoid processed meats, there ARE ways to keep low carb meatloaf juicy - check out this keto meatloaf recipe. But for sure, The bacon does a really good job.
The ingredients needed for this recipe
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.
Dijon mustard: It's creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard.
Maple syrup: I use real maple syrup. I think it's worth it, as the dish is still quite low in carbs.
Ground beef: I use lean ground beef, 85% lean and 15% fat. I don't recommend going any lower than this or the meatloaf will be too dry.
Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use.
Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Make sure they are fresh! A stale spice can easily ruin a dish.
Grated Parmesan: Helps not just flavor the meat but also absorbs juices so that they stay inside rather than seeping out. Make sure you use finely grated parmesan and not coarsely shredded. There's a difference.
Bacon: It's best to use medium-thickness slices in this recipe.
How to make bacon-wrapped meatloaf
It's so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
Mix and shape the meatloaf. To make the meatloaf, you mix the ground beef with salt, pepper, and spices, and shape into a loaf.
Wrap it in bacon. Next, you wrap the meatloaf in bacon slices.
Bake. Bake for 30 minutes, brush with half the Dijon-maple sauce, then bake for 30 more minutes.
Glaze. When the meatloaf is done, brush it with the remaining sauce, allow to rest, then slice and serve.
Tips for making this recipe a success
The Dijon-maple glaze is optional, but it's wonderful and very highly recommended. It adds lots of flavor, and the sweet-salty combination is so good.
I don't add eggs to the meatloaf mixture, because I think they are unnecessary. I do add Parmesan cheese. Apart from flavoring the meatloaf it also helps to absorb the cooking juices, keeping them inside the meatloaf.
How to serve bacon-wrapped meatloaf?
Since this is such a rich main course, I like to serve it with a simple side of vegetables. I often serve it with one of the following side dishes:
What about leftovers?
Leftovers keep quite well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days, but the bacon does lose its crispiness when refrigerated. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave, covered, on 50% power.
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Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
INGREDIENTS
- Oil spray for pan
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Meatloaf:
- 2 lb. lean ground beef (85/15)
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 8 slices bacon
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and fit it with a wire rack. Spray the wire rack with oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard and maple syrup to make the sauce. Divide into two portions. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme and Parmesan.
- Shape into a loaf (using a standard loaf pan as shown in the video helps shape the meatloaf). Wrap the meatloaf with the bacon slices, tucking their edges under the meatloaf, as shown in the video.
- Place the wrapped meatloaf on the prepared rack. Brush with half the sauce. Bake 30 minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Using a clean pastry brush, brush it with the remaining sauce. Return to the oven and bake until bacon is crisp and the meatloaf's internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, about 30 more minutes.
- Allow the bacon wrapped meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into eight thick slices and serving.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. 