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Savory Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Smoked Meatloaf

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A smoky, spicy, and cheesy meatloaf wrapped in crispy bacon, perfect for BBQ fans and easy to prepare for weeknight dinners or cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 ratio)
  • 8–10 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 3–4 medium-sized jalapeños, diced
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and diced jalapeños. Mix until evenly incorporated.
  2. Mix the meatloaf base: In a large bowl, add ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped onion, egg, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until just combined.
  3. Form the meatloaf: Shape the meat mixture into a rectangle roughly 9×5 inches on parchment paper or a clean surface. Make a shallow trench lengthwise down the center.
  4. Stuff the filling: Spread the cheese and jalapeño mixture evenly in the trench. Carefully fold the meat over the filling, sealing the edges and forming a tight loaf shape.
  5. Wrap with bacon: Lay the bacon strips slightly overlapping over the top and sides of the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath.
  6. Smoke or bake: Preheat smoker to 225-250°F and cook the meatloaf on a rack for 2.5-3 hours until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Alternatively, bake in a 350°F oven for 1 to 1.25 hours.
  7. Rest before slicing: Remove meatloaf and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 10-15 minutes to redistribute juices.
  8. Slice and serve: Cut into thick slices and serve warm.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for safety and juiciness. For oven cooking, add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic smoky flavor. Avoid overmixing meat to keep it tender. Rest meatloaf before slicing to retain juices. Substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon wrapped, jalapeño popper, smoked meatloaf, BBQ, spicy, cheesy, comfort food, smoked meatloaf recipe

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/savory-bacon-wrapped-jalape-n-o-popper-smoked-meatloaf-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-bbq-fans/