Balsamic Mustard Glazed Meatloaf with crispy onions and jalapenos

Just when you thought meatloaf couldn’t get any better-Bam! I hit you with the most amazing, rich and mouth watering recipe for the dear beloved and sometimes forgotten classic.

Put down the ketchup and step away from the meat. For years countless meatloafs have been made with ketchup alone or a simple ketchup sauce slathered ontop but this is all wrong! Wrong as in we are not doing the idea of meatloaf justice by using simple ketchup. To truly experience the best meatloaf has to give- you need an amazing sweet but savory sauce with a mustard and tomato base and loaded with flavors of pineapple, soy, sugar, chile and garlic.

Wait- I am not done yet. Not only does your meatloaf need this perfect sauce concoction but it must and I repeat must have a slightly crunchy onion  and jalapeno texture to it. What am I referring to? I am talking about crispy, crunchy jalapeno strips made by Alexa and a load full of crispy garlic onions. You would be surprised to find out that the breading on the jalapenos and onions do that bow down to the moisture in the meatloaf but rather stay nice and intact throughout the baking process.

All this to say- this is the most fantastic plate of meatloaf you will ever have. No longer will kids be scared of the thought of a cafeteria style plate of mystery meat. They will be begging you for more meatloaf and considering meatloaf is one of the easiest one pot meals to make- no mom would turn down that request.

Balsamic Mustard Glazed Meatloaf with crispy onions and jalapenos
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ pounds of ground beef ( I used 80/20 because you need some fat to keep it juicy)
  • 2 cups of breadcrumbs
  • 3 TBSP buttermilk
  • ½ cup crispy onions
  • ½ cup crispy jalapeno strips
  • 1 tsp salt and pepper each
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 cajun seasoning
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 TBSP worcestershire sauce
  • 1 TBSP coca-cola
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • Balsamic Mustard Glaze:
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 3 TBSP butter
  • ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup spicy brown mustard
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • 1 TBSP soy sauce
  • ½ tsp minced garlic
  • 2 TBSP of pineapple juice
Instructions
  1. Melt the butter in a heavy cast iron skillet. Saute the onions, bell peppers and garlic until soft and tender. Remove from the pan and pat to take away some of the excess moisture. Combine the meat with the veggies and remaining ingredients, leaving the eggs and buttermilk until last. Mix well and either form into a mound on a foiled lined baking sheet or place into a foiled line loaf pan. Slather with half of the glaze and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Remove and spread remaining glaze on top- bake for another 15-20 minutes until slightly crispy on top.
  2. For the Glaze:
  3. In a saucepan, melt the butter and add in the brown sugar, ketchup and mustard. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add in the remaining ingredients. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until reduced by half and thick.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 4-6 servings large; 6 to 8 smaller servings


57 comments

  1. Joanne

    I have an absurdly strong aversion to ketchup which is probably why I’ve always thought meatloaf was one of the worst things on this earth. I think with that glaze, you could have me convinced otherwise!

  2. lena

    heard of meatloaves so many times, seen it many times too but first time seeing a meatloves with such wonderful and different types of seasonings put together..cola, pineapple juice, worcheshire, balsamic vinegar..wow..! were you a restaurant chef before?

  3. flip flops & pearls

    OH LAWDY MERCY!! This looks divine!! And I must check out the crab balls:)
    I hope your feeling well & have a blessed week my friend!

  4. Collette Osuna

    Now this is a great looking recipe…I HATE those ones with the ketchup…..!!!

    A Funky Little Fashion Blog

  5. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking

    We have never been big meat loaf eaters but this sounds and looks delicious! I think it is going to be well worth trying!

  6. Greg

    Talk about kicking meatloaf up a notch. Look at all those spicy and sweet ingredients. This looks amazing.

  7. sara@domesticallychallenged

    This this looks entirely too difficult, I will just say that I have been using your sugar cookie recipe and it is a hit! Lots of compliments!

  8. Three-Cookies

    Amazing line up of ingredients, no wonder the end result rocked! Even coca cola made it on the list:)

  9. Melynda@MomsSundayCafe

    I think the catsup standard was why I was not a real fan of meatloaf, but this sounds delicious! thanks.

  10. Laura Doss

    Yum!! I am not a big fan of traditional meatloaf, but I have to say this sounds and looks delicious! I might have to give this one a shot 🙂

  11. Marina {YummyMummyKitchen.com}

    This looks like the best meatloaf I have ever seen!

  12. The Slow Roasted Italian

    Oh my Miss Jessica, we do love meatloaf around here and especially one with a balsamic glaze! This looks amazing, and I am planning to have some ground beef left from the soup I am making today…

    What are crunchy jalapeno strips?

  13. Bonnie

    This raises comfort food to a whole new level. If there’s anything better than meatloaf, it’s a meatloaf sandwich!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  14. Kelli

    Wow, this is such an amazing twist on meatloaf. I so cant wait to try this and the pictures look amazing!

  15. Alli

    I am on a constant quest for the perfect meatloaf. My husband LOVES it and in order to not get bored I am always trying new twists on the classic. Now I need to search for those Alexa jalapenos!

  16. sportsglutton

    This looks like one tasty/finger licking good meatloaf. I’m especially loving the Balsamic Mustard Glaze!

  17. Mary

    Wow!! you have taken an everyday meal and put it on turbo charge!! this recipe sounds sooooooo delicious – this is going to be a hit in my house – thanks!!
    Mary x

  18. Reem | Simply Reem

    This is divine….
    That glaze is deliciously evil, I want it so badly….
    Girl, trust me this recipe can make anyone go crazy…
    God I am drooling……
    BEAUTIFULLLLLL

  19. Biren @ Roti n Rice

    Your meatloaf sounds delicious! I like the idea of crispy onions and jalapeno in the meatloaf. Love that nice glaze on the top too!

  20. sabrina

    OH MYYY! I am surprising my husband with this tonight!!!!

  21. Caroline

    I think this recipe poses some tough competition for my grandma’s famous meatloaf! It sounds so flavorful, I love all of the ingredients. Gorgeous photos…I know it’s difficult to make meatloaf look appetizing. 😉

  22. Liz

    I love meatloaf…and this has got to be one of the prettiest I’ve seen! And SO unique and delicious, too!

  23. Erin@ Cooking on Whim

    This REALLY makes me want to give meatloaf a chance!

  24. Erica

    oh my goodness! I have never been big on meatloaf, but this looks TOTALLY different. I’m still dreaming about your crab hush puppies!

  25. Sonia

    This is looking so good…….!!! I hope you received ur parcel as well, thanks, sonia !

  26. 2sistersrecipes

    Hey this looks amazing! I haven’t made meatloaf in years, my family hates meatloaf and I never made it again, but your meatloaf is the one that I will introduce again in this house. Thanks for sharing a great idea for meatloaf.

  27. Lyndsey@The Tiny Skillet

    Your meatloaf looks amazing, I could almost smell it from here. I never like the ketchup concoction that my mom used to put on her meatloaf, so I never put anything on top of mine. Now I have a new one to try!

  28. Candace

    Mmmmm! You have definitely taken meatloaf to a new level with this one, Jessica. It looks amazing! I haven’t seen the crispy jalapeno strips; but, I’m going to be looking for them. Yum!

  29. Taylor

    This sounds amazing – I absolutely love the balsamic glaze!!

  30. Kate (What Kate is Cooking)

    Mmm, I love meatloaf! I’ve made a vegetarian version but I really miss the real version 🙂

  31. Tina (PinayInTexas)

    Wow! That meatloaf is stunning! I love everything in it Jessica! Super yummy!!!

  32. Michele

    WOW. This looks amazing! Will have to try this one.

  33. daphne

    that’s what I’m talking about! Jump on the meat loaf wagon people!

  34. Shawn

    That’s absolutely the best looking meatloaf I’ve ever seen! I want some right now 🙂

  35. Jihane @Sinful Sundays

    Ooo, I see coca cola in there and that balsamic glaze sounds wonderful! I would love a piece of that meatloaf!

  36. Linda

    Oh, I’m making this one for sure! I’d never use ketchup, can’t stand the taste of it on anything, but oh my, this sauce and your combination of flavors, those onions and jalapenos….wow. When I make a meatloaf I always have leftovers since its just my son and I, so this will be fabulous for lunches and paninis for my son!

  37. yummychunklet

    The title alone made me start drooling! I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

  38. Torrie @ a place to share...

    I just tried Alexa products (the sweet p fries, mentioned in my post yesterday) for the first time… LOVE. Can’t wait to try these jalapeno strips!! (and the meatloaf looks To Die For)

  39. Kristy

    This might be just the dish to get me to eat meatloaf. I’ve never been able to stand it. I think it was the ketchup. I’m not opposed to ketchup in general – in fact on some things I love it, but not on meatloaf. I just may make this my first homemade meatloaf ever. 🙂

  40. Phyllis

    I’d love to eat the photos! What a great recipe! The crunchy texture sounds wonderful – and the sauce! I bet this would make killer meatloaf sandwiches the next day – if there’s any left!

  41. lindsay

    girl. this looks awesome!! so the crispy onions and jalapenos are alexia? are they in the snack aisle?

  42. Malli

    How can anyone resist this glorious meatloaf with that bright balsamic mustard glaze?? You’ve done it again with another one of your brilliant recipes,,,,made me hungry:)

  43. Jody Brettkelly

    Looks fantastic – love meatloaf, but thus far have been unable to get my kids to eat it. Love the addition of jalapenos!

  44. Shea

    I’m not usually much of a meatloaf endorser, but this one looks totally unique and delicious! I might just have to give meatloaf a second chance!

  45. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    I totally appreciate this post. I’ve never made meatloaf yet because my husband isn’t into “typical” meatloaf recipes… guess what he’ll be VERY surprised with this one!

  46. kitchen flavours

    Oh my goodness! Looks sooooo delicious! Wish I could have some right now! I have seen many meatloaf recipes and yours is making me drool! I have never tried meatloaf before, but I guess there is always a first time! Thanks for sharing!

  47. Trix

    I think with the crispiness you have just identified the very thing that would make me LOVE meatloaf. And the chile and soy … yum

  48. val

    Oh, mercy, mercy me! It’s a flavor party!

  49. nancy at good food matters

    wonderful, complex glaze—thanks for this recipe. I have to smile at the T. of CocaCola in the meatloaf mix.

  50. Always Fashionable

    the best meatloaf I have ever seen!

  51. Michele

    This looks awesome, but I have a question. In the instructions, it says when mixing meatloaf to leave the eggs and buttermilk for last. I don’t see any buttermilk listed in the ingredient list. How much buttermilk do you add?

    Thanks 🙂

  52. Michele

    Also, the instructions for the glaze say to melt the butter with the brown sugar. There is no butter listed for the glaze ingredients either.

    Thank you again 🙂

  53. Michele

    I made this for the gang last night…delicious!!!!

  54. click

    How did you make this blog site look this good! Email me if you can and share your wisdom. Id appreciate it!

  55. Mini Asian Meatloaves & My Orphanage :: Kitchen Belleicious

    […] make a meatloaf recipe I like but one that everyone would LOVE! That lead me to my first creation: Balsamic Glazed Mustard Meatloaf. TO DIE FOR! END OF […]

  56. Rachel

    Gah! This is the recipe I needed earlier this week… must try it!

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