When it comes to classic comfort food, meatloaf is in the top ten. However, it will be in your top five comfort foods after you’ve eaten smoked meatloaf. The barbeque twist makes smoked meatloaf so addicting.
Before you make smoked meatloaf, you must know how long to cook it at 225°F. Smoke your meatloaf at 225°F for 3 hours for the best results.
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What’s the Best Wood for Smoking Meatloaf?
Usually, you would not use hardwoods for smoking meats such as chicken or pork shoulder. Hardwoods such as oak, hickory, or mesquite are best since we are smoking beef.
These hardwoods have a robust flavor that complements the meatloaf’s rich flavor perfectly.
You can also use applewood or cherry wood to smoke your meatloaf. Applewood and cherry wood give the meatloaf a mild sweet flavor. It also pairs well with the sweet notes of honey or brown sugar in the BBQ sauce.
Does Meatloaf Stall on Smoker
Most people assume stalling is limited to bigger cuts, such as brisket and pork butt. However, meatloaf can stall too.
As the meatloaf cooks, moisture from within the meat is pulled to the surface of the meat. This evaporative cooling causes the meatloaf’s internal temperature to remain the same.
There’s no need to worry about the stall. It is normal. The meatloaf’s temperature will rise eventually as long as the smoker maintains a stable temperature of 225°F.
What Bbq Sauce Should I Use for Meatloaf
Meatloaf and BBQ sauce go hand in hand. Most people use a sugar and ketchup glaze.
You can glaze the meatloaf with any BBQ sauce.
I recommend using a sweet BBQ sauce. As long as the BBQ sauce is sweet, it will complement the savory and smoky flavor of the BBQ sauce perfectly.
What Should The Internal Temperature Of Smoked Meatloaf Be
Smoke meatloaf until it has a temperature of 160°F. This is the recommended safe temperature.
You can remove the meatloaf when it has a temperature between 155°F-160°F. The meatloaf’s temperature will rise 160°F as the meatloaf rests.
Additionally, use an external smoker thermometer to measure the meatloaf’s internal temperature.
Yes, your smoker probably has a thermometer. But it is unreliable when it comes to the meatloaf’s internal temperature.
How Long to Smoke Meatloaf at 225
The smoking time of the meatloaf depends on the size of the meatloaf and your smoker. Generally speaking, it takes about 2-3 hours to smoke meatloaf, depending on the size of the meat.
Nevertheless, it’s best to use the internal temperature to measure doneness instead of the cooking time.
The best way to monitor the meatloaf’s temperature is by using a wireless smoker thermometer. Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meatloaf.
You will be alerted when the meatloaf reaches the correct temperature.
How Long to Smoke a 1 Pound Meatloaf at 225
It takes about 1 1/2 hours to smoke meatloaf per pound. So, a 1-pound meatloaf will take 1 1/2 hours to smoke at 225°F.
How Long to Smoke a 2 Pound Meatloaf at 225
A 2-pound meatloaf takes 3 hours to smoke at 225°F. Ensure the meatloaf has the right temperature or is close to it before removing it from the smoker.
How Long to Smoke a 3 Pound Meatloaf at 225
A 3-pound meatloaf will take about 4-4 1/2 hours to cook at 225°F. 4 1/2 hours seems like a long time to smoke meatloaf. However, because it is larger, it will take longer to cook.
How Long to Smoke a 4 Pound Meatloaf at 225
A 4-pound meatloaf takes about 6 hours to cook. I do not recommend smoking a meatloaf that is larger than 4 pounds.
There’s a greater chance that the meatloaf will overcook. It’s better to cook 2-3 smaller meatloaves if you are feeding a lot of people.
How Long to Smoke Meatloaf at 225 on a Pellet Grill
Smoking meatloaf on a pellet grill may take longer than using a gas grill or charcoal smoker. The smoking time depends on the size on the size of the food, whether it’s fresh or frozen, bone-in or boneless, and fat content.
Meatloaf can take up to 5-6 hours to smoke in a pellet grill at 225°F. Check the meatloaf’s temperature after 2-3 hours. You can cook the meatloaf for more or less time, depending on its temperature.
Tips For Smoking Meatloaf
You can prepare your meatloaf a day in advance. Mix the meatloaf ingredients, shape it into a loaf, then place it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to smoke it the next day.
You can also freeze raw meatloaf. Follow the steps above to make and shape the meatloaf.
Place the meatloaf into a freezer-safe airtight container and put it in the freezer. Thaw the meatloaf overnight in the fridge before you plan to smoke it.
If your meatloaf falls apart when shaping it into a loaf, there are not enough breadcrumbs or eggs in the mix. Breadcrumbs and eggs act as a binder and prevent the meatloaf from falling apart.
Do not cook the meatloaf in a foil pan. The pan can prevent smoke from penetrating the meatloaf.
Additionally, meatloaf releases a lot of fat as it cooks. Smoking the meatloaf in a foil pan causes it to absorb some of the fat and become greasy.
Place the meatloaf onto the wire rack. The rack has holes that allow smoke to penetrate the meatloaf. Additionally, it will be easier to transport the meatloaf to and from the smoker.
Place a foil pan directly beneath the meatloaf. The foil pan will catch the drippings from the meatloaf as it cooks.
If you have leftover smoked meatloaf, it will last 4-5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze your leftovers. If the meatloaf is stored in a freezer-safe airtight container, it will keep for 3 months in the freezer.
Final Thoughts
Smoking is the perfect way to put a new twist on an old classic. The smoked meatloaf will be delicious if it’s cooked for the right amount of time.
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.