Alton Brown Good Eats Meatloaf

This delicious Good Eats Meatloaf recipe by Alton Brown is a simple and hearty dish perfect for a quick and comforting meal. Packed with flavorful spices, tender beef, and a tangy, slightly sweet glaze, this meatloaf is as easy to make as it is satisfying. You can easily swap in common pantry ingredients to make this dish your own!

Recipe Ingredients:

Good Eats Meatloaf

• 6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 onion, peeled and quartered
• 1 carrot, peeled and broken into chunks
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/2 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
• 18 ounces sirloin, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, and chilled
• 18 ounces chuck, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, and chilled
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

For the glaze

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Dash hot pepper sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

How To Make Good Eats Meatloaf?

1. Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 160°C / 325°F.
2. Prepare the Crouton Mixture: In a food processor, combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme, and pulse until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. Process the Vegetables: Add the onion, carrot, garlic, and red bell pepper to the food processor and pulse until finely chopped, but not pureed.
4. Combine Meat Mixture: In the large bowl, mix the vegetable mixture, ground sirloin, ground chuck, and crouton mixture. Season with kosher salt, add the egg, and mix gently with your hands, avoiding over-mixing.
5. Shape the Meatloaf: Pack the meat mixture into a 10-inch (25 cm) loaf pan to shape, then turn out onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Insert a temperature probe into the center of the loaf, avoiding contact with the tray.
6. Bake the Meatloaf: Place the meatloaf on the center rack and bake for 10 minutes.
7. Make the Glaze: While the meatloaf bakes, mix ketchup, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, and honey in a small bowl.
8. Glaze the Meatloaf: After 10 minutes of baking, brush the glaze evenly over the meatloaf.
9. Continue Baking: Cook until the internal temperature reaches 68°C / 155°F, approximately 25 more minutes.
10. Rest and Serve: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Tips:

• Use Chilled Meat: Make sure your beef is well-chilled before grinding or mixing. This helps maintain the meat’s texture and prevents it from becoming mushy.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently combine the ingredients with your hands. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough meatloaf instead of a tender and juicy one.
• Shape the Meatloaf in a Pan First: Press the meat mixture into a loaf pan to form its shape, then turn it out onto a baking sheet. This trick keeps your meatloaf uniform and helps it cook evenly.
• Don’t Skip the Glaze: The glaze adds a delicious tangy and sweet layer to the meatloaf. Brush it on partway through cooking for a glossy finish and extra flavor.
• Let It Rest Before Slicing: Allow the meatloaf to sit for 10 minutes after baking. This step helps the juices redistribute, making every slice moist and flavorful.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover meatloaf cool until it reaches room temperature. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Let the meatloaf cool completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or store it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Place the meatloaf slices on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking until evenly heated.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 742.9​
• Total Fat: 51.7 g​
• Saturated Fat: 19.3 g​
• Cholesterol: 158.3 mg​
• Sodium: 1,349.9 mg​
• Total Carbohydrate: 39.8 g​
• Dietary Fiber: 2.4 g​
• Sugars: 11 g​
• Protein: 30.2 g

Check out More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Stovetop Mac And Cheese
• Alton Brown The Once And Future Beans
• Alton Brown Turkey Re-Hash: Reloaded
• Alton Brown Red Beans And Rice