First Meatloaf-Need Advice

[BuckeyeSteve]

I'm going to smoke my first meatloaf today and could use some advice. I'm using 2 lbs of 85/15 and I'm thinking of adding a 9 oz package of chorizo I have in the freezer.
I've had pretty good results using the recipe on the Lipton Beefy Onion soup, so I'll probably use that.

I usually add onion and orange bell pepper to my meatloaf. I'm smoking it in a MES, so 275 deg is as high as I can set it. Will the onion and pepper cook at this lower temperature, or do I need to saute them first?

What temp do you recommend I smoke it at?

 

[mooncusser]

Personally I'd cook the onion and pepper unless you're doing a fine chop. I don't mind a little crunch from onions but others might. You'd cook it at a higher temp if using your oven, so 275-250 should be fine or you can go lower for more smoke. Make it moist to start to avoid drying out. Enjoy!

 

[TNJAKE]

I always saute mine first. I smoke at 225. Heres my last meatloaf maybe some ideas for you.....

Smoked meatloaf

Hey guys smoked some meatloaf tonight and the family thought it was a big win. Here's the recipe: 2lb 80/20 ground beef .25lb fresh smoked sausage About 5 slices thick cut bacon 1cup onion 1cup bread crumb 1cup milk 2 eggs 2.5ish teaspoons rub(I used killer hogs) 1 teaspoon cbp Bbq...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[BuckeyeSteve]

Thanks guys!

 

[GaryHibbert]

Yep. I always saute my onions ahead of time.
Since you've used the recipe before, then there's probably no reason to advise you that the onion soup mix has a lot of salt in it, so I never add more.
Just my personal opinion, but I cook ny meatloaf at 240 to get the maximum smoke flavor.
Gary

 

[BuckeyeSteve]

Yep. I always saute my onions ahead of time.
Since you've used the recipe before, then there's probably no reason to advise you that the onion soup mix has a lot of salt in it, so I never add more.
Just my personal opinion, but I cook ny meatloaf at 240 to get the maximum smoke flavor.
Gary

Yea, I never add salt. The ketchup has a lot of sodium also.

 

[JLeonard]

Did my first meatloaf the other day. Stuffed with shredded cheddar cheese and smoked with a little mesquite at 250 degrees. Turned out excellent.

 

[BuckeyeSteve]

Did my first meatloaf the other day. Stuffed with shredded cheddar cheese and smoked with a little mesquite at 250 degrees. Turned out excellent.

I just put mine in. I realized that with the addition of the chorizo it was going to be too salty for my taste. So I eliminated the onion soup mix and decided to wing it. I threw in anything that sounded like it might taste good. Onion, orange bell pepper, bread crumbs, eggs, ketchup, a few shakes of worcestershire, a few shakes of cayenne pepper, some smoked paprika and some garlic powder.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

I just put mine in. I realized that with the addition of the chorizo it was going to be too salty for my taste. So I illuminated the onion soup mix and decided to wing it. I threw in anything that sounded like it might taste good. Onion, orange bell pepper, bread crumbs, eggs, ketchup, a few shakes of worcestershire, a few shakes of cayenne pepper, some smoked paprika and some garlic powder.

Good idea to nix the onion soup mix. Everything else sounds spot on.

 

[BuckeyeSteve]

I turned out pretty good. Nice smoke flavor. I used 50% cookinpellets perfect pellet( Hickory base with Cherry, Hard Maple and Apple.,) and 50% hickory.

Served over garlic cauliflower potatoes with chives.

 

[TNJAKE]

Looks good. Nice job

 

[mooncusser]

Looks great, nice job!

 

[JLeonard]

Man that looks good. It’ll make some good sammichs too!

 

[tanglefoot]

Looks mighty fine! Can't beat a smoked meatloaf sammy with a little dose of jalepeno mustard!!