Caribbean Meatloaf

This Caribbean Meatloaf is the perfect midweek meal for those nights when you need some juicy tang in your life.

It brings together classic ingredients like ground beef, breadcrumbs, and eggs. But it’s the addition of sliced pineapple, maraschino cherries, and BBQ sauce that give this dish a jerk-like sweetness!

The pineapple syrup is key if you want to get a rich and sweet sauce. But don’t underestimate Sweet Ray’s Barbecue Sauce when it comes to adding tons of flavor.

Although the baking time on this recipe is over an hour, the preparation is super easy. You just need to mix the base ingredients and pop it into a pan. Then, you can just wait for that glorious smell of fresh meatloaf to waft through your kitchen!

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Whether you’re looking for a dinner party staple or a simple family dinner, this delicious meatloaf has got your back.

Why You’ll Love This Caribbean Meatloaf

• It’s loaded with sweet and savory flavors that’ll please your palate.
• The prep work is incredibly easy and it bakes beautifully.
• It’s gets extra moisture from the sliced pineapple and maraschino cherries.
• The breadcrumbs add texture that prevents this meatloaf from tasting too one-note.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Ground beef: I suggest using one that has some fat in it for a moist and tender result.
• Breadcrumbs: Regular plain breadcrumbs work well for meatloaf as they won’t overwhelm the dish by being too thick. If you want a super-soft meatloaf, larger Panko breadcrumbs are a better choice.
• Barbecue sauce
• Eggs: Make sure they’re beaten!
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sliced pineapple (drained with syrup reserved): Don’t forget to reserve the syrup here for the sauce. Otherwise, any brand of sliced pineapples will work!
• Maraschino cherries

How to Make Caribbean Meatloaf

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Step Two: In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, barbecue sauce, eggs, salt, and pepper.
• Step Three: Pack the mixture into a loaf pan.

• Step Four: Bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes.
• Step Five: Invert onto a platter and cut the meatloaf into slices.
• Step Six: Add a slice of pineapple between each slice of meatloaf and insert a cherry inside each slice of pineapple.

• Step Seven: To make the sauce, add the reserved pineapple syrup, water, and cornstarch to a pot and bring to a boil. Stir it constantly.
• Step Eight: Turn the heat down to medium and continue to cook until thickened. Once it’s thick enough, stir in the BBQ sauce.

• Step Nine: Pour the sauce over the meatloaf and serve!

Equipment Needed

You don’t need much equipment to pull this simple Caribbean Meatloaf together.

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• Loaf pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener and lid lifter

What to Serve with Caribbean Meatloaf

Virtually any carb and veggie work well with this Caribbean Meatloaf, but these are my favorite suggestions.

• Dutch Potato Salad
• Cheesy Potato Skins
• Mashed Potato Casserole
• Herb Potato Salad

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Make sure you’re keeping a keen eye on your meatloaf. You don’t want to undercook it but leaving it in the oven too long may dry out your dish.
• If you can, try and get your meatloaf as even as possible in the pan. This will prevent any sections from drying out more than others!
• Try to use ground beef that’s around 80-85% lean. Too lean, and you’ll have a dry meatloaf on your hands!
• If you have them, use extra-large eggs as they’re best for keeping moisture in your loaf!
• Let your meatloaf rest properly before it’s sliced. This will help you avoid any crumbling.
• Spray your pan with nonstick spray before putting your meatloaf mixture in for easy removal.

Variations and Substitutions

• You can technically make meatloaf with any ground meat you like! So, if you don’t like beef, feel free to switch it out with pork, chicken, or turkey!
• If you want to bulk out the recipe with veggies, you can add a small amount of carrots to the mix for extra sweetness. Generally, the simpler the better.
• Although the BBQ sauce is part of the magic, you can use a marinara sauce if you’d prefer (or are in a pinch!).
• A dash of Worcestershire sauce can add a lot of depth to this recipe.

Storage Instructions

Meatloaf usually stores well in airtight containers or wrapped with plastic wrap (I prefer the former option!).

It keeps well for up to 4 days if stored correctly.

To bring your meatloaf back to life, add a tiny bit of water or broth to your container and reheat it in the microwave.

If you’d rather reheat it in the oven, cook it at 250 F for 20 minutes until fully warmed through.

Can I Freeze?

This Caribbean Meatloaf freezes well for up to 4-6 months, but you’ll want to carefully check for freezer burn before defrosting.

For the best results, always defrost your meatloaf in the fridge to reduce the chance of bacteria growth.

You can freeze your meatloaf as a large block, but I suggest cutting it into servings and freezing it in individual portions.

Meatloaf Recipes

Are you crazy about meatloaf, too? Check out these yummy recipes.

Try this Sunday Meatloaf, Crockpot Pineapple Ham Balls and Classic Meatloaf.

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