When you want a dinner that feels cozy, festive, and downright irresistible, this Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Cranberry Glaze checks every box. The smoky bacon becomes crispy on the outside while sealing in the juices, giving you a meatloaf that’s tender and flavorful from edge to edge. Paired with a glossy cranberry glaze, each slice offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes.
This recipe is especially popular during the fall and winter months because of its vibrant cranberry finish, but it’s delicious enough to enjoy year-round. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or preparing a special Sunday dinner, this dish brings big flavor with minimal effort. The glaze caramelizes beautifully as it bakes, adding a stunning shine and a festive pop of color.
Unlike traditional meatloaf recipes that rely solely on ketchup or barbecue sauce, this version introduces a gourmet twist by incorporating whole-berry cranberry sauce. The acidity cuts through the richness of the meat and bacon, making each bite feel lighter and more balanced. The bacon wrap also locks in moisture, ensuring the meatloaf stays incredibly juicy—even when reheated as leftovers.
Serve this bacon-wrapped beauty with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. It slices beautifully, presents well on any dinner table, and delivers a flavor profile that appeals to both traditional and adventurous eaters. If you’re looking for a dish that will impress without adding stress, this cranberry-glazed meatloaf is the perfect choice.
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Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Cranberry Glaze
This Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Cranberry Glaze is the ultimate comfort-food upgrade. Juicy ground beef and pork are seasoned to perfection, wrapped in crispy bacon, and finished with a sweet-tart cranberry glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes. Perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or any night you want something hearty and delicious.
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Meatloaf
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1 lb ground beef
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1 lb ground pork
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1 cup breadcrumbs
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1 small onion, finely diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 large eggs
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1/3 cup milk
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1 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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10-12 slices thick-cut bacon
Cranberry Glaze
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1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
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Make the meatloaf mixture:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, milk, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix just until combined—don’t overmix. -
Shape the loaf:
Form the mixture into a loaf on the wire rack. -
Wrap with bacon:
Layer the bacon slices over the top and sides, tucking the ends underneath. -
Mix the cranberry glaze:
Stir together cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon until smooth.
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Brush glaze over the loaf:
Coat the top and sides generously. -
Bake for 45 minutes, brush with more glaze, then bake another 20–25 minutes until the bacon is crisp and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
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Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Brush with additional glaze if desired.
Notes
Pro Tips for Best Results
1. Use a Rack to Keep the Bacon Crisp
Place the meatloaf on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This allows fat to drip away and helps the bacon crisp evenly all around.
2. Don’t Overmix the Meat
Mix just until combined. Overworking the meat results in a dense, tough meatloaf instead of tender and juicy slices.
3. Let It Rest Before Slicing
A 10-minute rest keeps the juices inside the loaf, preventing crumbling and helping cleaner, more picture-perfect slices.
4. Partially Cook the Bacon (Optional)
If using very thick-cut bacon, lightly par-cook it for 5–7 minutes before wrapping. This ensures it gets perfectly crisp by the time the meatloaf is done.
5. Use Cold Hands for Mixing
Rinsing your hands in cold water before mixing helps avoid warming the meat, which keeps it tender and improves texture.
6. Customize the Glaze Sweetness
Taste the cranberry glaze beforehand. Add more brown sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for brightness.
7. Add Moisture with Milk or Broth
If you want a softer, more tender meatloaf, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of milk or beef broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
