A delicious and unique meatloaf infused with bourbon and bacon, perfect for a hearty meal.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
8 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup bourbon
1/4 cup ketchup
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, bourbon, ketchup, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Transfer the meat mixture to a greased loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf. If using, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For a sweeter glaze, mix 1/4 cup of brown sugar with 1/4 cup of ketchup and spread it on top of the meatloaf during the last 15 minutes of baking.
For a healthier twist, substitute half of the ground beef with ground turkey and use whole wheat breadcrumbs.