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Juicy meatloaf burger with smoky BBQ sauce on a plate, topped with melted cheese and fresh toppings
Dinner

The Juiciest Meatloaf Burger Ever — Smoky, Saucy, and Completely Addictive

There's something about this burger that stops conversation at the table. Every time I serve it, my husband says the same thing — "I'm so lucky." And honestly, he's right. This isn't your average backyard burger.

5.0 (1)
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Serves
4
Style
🍽 Elevated

There's something about this burger that stops conversation at the table. Every time I serve it, my husband says the same thing — "I'm so lucky." And honestly, he's right. This isn't your average backyard burger. It's a smoky, juicy, flavour-packed twist inspired by classic meatloaf — the kind of recipe that turns simple ground beef into something memorable.

The secret lies in the mix itself. Instead of seasoning the beef plain, I combine it with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, a touch of barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and eggs — all the comforting, umami-rich ingredients that make a meatloaf so delicious, right in burger form.

Note: Active prep time is about 20 minutes, but these patties need to chill for at least 3 hours (or up to overnight) before grilling. Plan accordingly!

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 2 lbs (908g) ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt (NOT fine; use half as much if using fine salt)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne, dried thyme, paprika, or other spices of choice
  • Heaping 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk together the eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire, barbecue, and soy sauces, brown sugar, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and any other spices of your choice. Add the breadcrumbs and whisk to combine.

  2. 2

    Crumble in the beef and combine gently, being careful not to overwork the mixture, or it will become tough. You want to gently incorporate all the ingredients well.

  3. 3

    Shape into 6–8 patties and place on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or up to overnight).

  4. 4

    Grill over medium-low heat, flipping often—these burgers are prone to burning due to the sugar content. It should take about 10–12 minutes of total grilling time. Add cheese at the end and cook until your desired doneness. Serve on toasted buns with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!

FAQ

Can I make this meatloaf burger ahead of time?+
Yes! You can form the patties up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them on a parchment-lined tray, or freeze them for up to 3 months—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if cooking from frozen.
What can I substitute for panko breadcrumbs in this recipe?+
You can use regular breadcrumbs (use about 1/3 cup since they're denser), crushed crackers, or even finely grated cheese mixed with a little milk—just make sure your binder is moist enough so the burger stays juicy.
Why is my meatloaf burger falling apart when I cook it?+
You likely overworked the meat mixture when combining it, which makes it tough and crumbly—gently fold everything together just until combined, and make sure you're not skipping the egg and sauce mixture, which acts as the crucial binder.
How should I serve this meatloaf burger?+
Stack it on a toasted bun with classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and extra barbecue sauce or mayo, or serve it as a patty over mashed potatoes or rice for a heartier meal.

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Juiciest Meatloaf Burger Recipe | Food 400°