Smoked Habanero Meatloaf

This smoked habanero meatloaf is by far my favorite. The meat comes out tender, with a nice smoky flavor (though you can make it in the oven and still have a fantastic dish). And of course, there’s a kick – a big kick from BBQ sauce mixed with habanero salsa and mixed into the meat and used as a glaze.

Smoked Habanero Meatloaf

The leftovers (if you have any) of this smoked habanero meatloaf are just as good as the day you made this meatloaf. Maybe even a little bit better. It is perfect for sandwiches, which we made the next day. We just topped toasted French bread with a slab of warmed meatloaf followed by mayonnaise and red onion. The onion and bread add a nice crunch to the tender meatloaf. I can’t have a sandwich without mayonnaise, so mine definitely got an extra helping of it on top.

Smoked Habanero Meatloaf Sandwiches

I prefer to use fruit or nut woods when I smoke unless I want a heavier smoke flavor. Pecan, apple or cherry are my favorites. I used apple wood chunks for this meatloaf.

I smoked the meatloaf on my Weber Smokey Mountain smoker. For a great side dish I made my crispy smoked smashed potatoes.

Smoked Habanero Meatloaf
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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Habanero Meatloaf

This smoked habanero meatloaf is by far my favorite. The meat comes out tender, with a nice smokey flavor (though you can make it in the oven and still have a fantastic dish).
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword meatloaf, smoked, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 445kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

For the smoker

  • Fire up your smoker for cooking at 225 – 250 F with a light wood, such as apple.

For the oven

  • Preheat oven to 450 F.

Assembly

  • Place the onion, celery and green pepper into a blender. Pulse until chopped, but not quite pureed. Squeeze out any excess moisture. It is important to get as much moisture out as you can.
  • Place beef and pork into a large bowl. Add onion mixture.
  • Whisk egg with milk and add to beef mixture, along with the bread crumbs and steak seasoning.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, salsa, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour half of the sauce onto the meat mixture and combine all ingredients well. Reserve the remaining sauce.
  • Spray a 9×13 aluminum (or glass if using the oven) pan with non-stick spray.
  • Add the beef/pork mixture and form into a roll. Spoon remaining sauce over top.
  • If cooking in the oven, bake 45-60 minutes or until center is done. You may want to drain some of the accumulating fat before serving.
  • If cooking in the smoker, poke a few holes along the edges of the aluminum pan so that any accumulating fat drips out. Smoke 2-3 hours or until the center is done.
  • Let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes and then slice into thick pieces.

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 692mg | Potassium: 606mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pepper Jack Meatloaf

Now, truth be told, if I can, I’m going to smoke my meatloaf. Now, having said all that, I was all over this cheesy pepper jack meatloaf recipe when I came across it. I figured how can it be bad? And it wasn’t. At all. It reminded me of a Juicy Lucy hamburger in ways.

Pepper Jack Meat Loaf

I really liked the celery in this Pepper Jack meatloaf too. It added a nice crunchy contrast to the meat and the velvety cheese. The leftovers also made for fantastic meatloaf sandwiches. I just slice the meat loaf thick, pile it on thick Texas toast, and squirt on a bit of ketchup.

Also try my BBQ meatloaf sandwiches!

Pepper Jack Meat Loaf
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4 from 1 vote

Pepper Jack Meatloaf

I was all over this cheesy pepper jack meatloaf recipe when I came across. It's like a Juicy Lucy burger but in meatloaf form.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, meatloaf
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 -6
Calories 633kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Spray a loaf pan or baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Combine the beef, celery, onion, crackers, and eggs. Mix well. Get in there with your hands and work it!
  • Place half of the meat into the pan. If you’re using a baking dish, form the meat into a loaf.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the meat.
  • Add the remaining meat on top and pinch down along the sides to seal the cheese inside.
  • Spread ketchup over the top of the meat and sprinkle with chili powder, salt and pepper.
  • Cover the pan with lose-fitting foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 425 F. Let bake another 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf is 160 F.
  • Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 633kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 213mg | Sodium: 747mg | Potassium: 553mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 475mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.