Savory Venison Meatloaf

Recipe View Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a large bowl, gently combine the ground venison, chopped onion, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, beaten egg, crushed saltine crackers, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, dried sage, and steak seasoning. Use your hands to ensure the mixture is evenly distributed without overworking the meat. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Pack the venison mixture into a 3x7-inch loaf pan. Arrange the bacon slices evenly over the top of the meatloaf. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until the meatloaf is no longer pink in the center and the bacon is crispy. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should register at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). (35 minutes)

Recipe View While the meatloaf is baking, prepare the barbecue glaze. In a small saucepan, whisk together the remaining 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Simmer the glaze over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until it is heated through and slightly thickened. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Once the meatloaf is cooked, remove it from the oven and pour the barbecue glaze evenly over the top. (1 minute)

Recipe View Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf. (5 minutes)