Memorial Day Grilled Meatloaf Burgers

Celebrate Memorial Day with Grilled Meatloaf Burgers, a tasty, summer twist on the traditional meatloaf recipe. It’s savory, smoky, and bound to become a new family favorite. So learn how to grill meatloaf just in time for BBQ season!

Looking for some delicious sides to go with that burger? Check out my list of tasty sides for your next summer barbecue.

What is the most popular food on Memorial Day?

Without a doubt, burgers are among the most popular Memorial Day recipes. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer and a mouthwatering grilled burger is the best way to commemorate. 

With the promise of longer days, outdoor fun, and a mild sunburn, it is that time of year that brings on the nostalgia of youth and makes everyone happy. From bike rides to building sandcastles, the season encourages you to get outside⁠!

This is especially true when it comes to cooking. Shifting from the kitchen to the great outdoors for meals changes everything. The opportunity to grill for three straight months signifies a wonderful distraction from normal cooking routines. (And staying indoors.)

It urges you to put away the crockpot and break out the charcoal. When summer arrives, it’s time to wipe off the backyard lawn chairs, light the citronella candles and get your grill on! Hence one of my favorite Memorial Day recipes: grilled meatloaf burgers!

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Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day” as traditionally, the graves of fallen soldiers were adorned with flowers, flags, and more to honor our troops.

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Can you cook meatloaf on a gas grill?

Cooking meatloaf on the grill is totally thing! Thinking outside the box for meals does not have to be a total reinvention of the wheel, but little tweaks and twists to grilling mainstays can pack an enormous punch and have the whole neighborhood talking about your skills.

For this recipe, we’re not sticking a whole loaf on the grill. Instead, we combine all the familiar flavors of classic meatloaf, then shape them into patties.

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According to the Library of Congress, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, to be the “Birthplace of Memorial Day,” referencing a town’s celebration in 1866.

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Grilled Meatloaf Recipe

For this year’s twist, a few test recipes led to discovering an old classic and winter favorite—meatloaf. Taking ingredients like ketchup and onions and incorporating them into the beef mixture creates a burger bursting with flavor from the inside out.

Plus, the caramelization and char achieved from grilling these patties add an element of flavor that you really just have to sink your teeth into to understand.

You can apply this method in many ways by taking any number of ingredients that you might typically top off your burger with and instead, try mixing them into the patty itself. From grilled mushrooms and onions to bacon and blue cheese, give your burgers an edge that makes them a well-rounded, one-hit-wonder, and don’t be afraid to let the beef stand alone.

Don’t Depend on the Condiments

Everybody loves a good old classic burger hot off the grill. With so many ways to customize them, it’s an easy way to please a whole crowd. Served on seeded buns or lettuce wraps, smothered in endless choices of cheese, piled high with toppings, or lathered in every condiment in the fridge, burgers are a summertime favorite.

But more often than not, the star of this sandwich is pretty much left alone. One might switch it up from an all-beef patty to a ground turkey or vegetarian version, but the main event is almost always just a simple slab of protein in need of its friends to liven things up.

Check out all my recipes on the City Girl Gone Mom Pinterest board!

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It’s a tradition for the US President or Vice President to give a speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Approximately 1.5 million Americans watch the National Memorial Day Parade on TV each year.

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Grilled Meatloaf Ingredients

• Ground beef: This is the hearty base of the burger. For juicy burgers, opt for 85/15 so they’re not too lean.
• Large eggs: Use eggs as a binding agent to hold the patties together.
• Yellow onion: Chopped onions add a subtle sweetness that complements the more savory elements.
• White bread or wheat bread: Tear bread into bite-sized pieces. It serves as a filler ingredient and helps the patties retain moisture during the grilling process.
• Ketchup: This adds a sweet, savory depth that gives the burger way more flavor than your standard grilled food.
• Worcestershire sauce: This adds a mouthwatering umami flavor.
• Dried parsley: For a fresh pop of herbaceous flavor, add this.
• Burger buns: You can use regular hamburger buns, potato buns, or brioche rolls. It’s up to you!
• Seasoning: Keep it simple with salt and pepper to taste so the other flavors can shine.
• Cooking oil: Use this to prevent the burgers from sticking to the grill grates.

Have you listened to my podcast? Check out The Mom Confidential!

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Americans eat 818 hot dogs every second, or seven billion in total, on Memorial Day.

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How to Make Meatloaf on the Grill

Preheat your grill to high heat. Then whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.

Incorporate chopped onion, torn bread, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper, ensuring all ingredients are evenly mixed.

Then, gently fold in the ground beef until the mixture is well integrated.

Once combined, shape the mixture into quarter-pound portions, flattening them into patties about 3/4-inch thick.

Lower the grill heat to a medium-high setting, clean the grates, and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.

Then carefully place the patties onto the grill, close the lid, and grill for approximately 5-6 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, adding a minute for more well-done burgers or subtracting a minute for a rarer finish.

Once grilled to perfection, serve the patties on burger buns and enjoy them with the rest of your Memorial Day recipes!

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Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which a total of some 620,000 American soldiers died between both sides.

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Tips for the Best Meatloaf

• Remember to preheat the grill. This is how you sear the burgers, lock in moisture, and get those beautiful grill marks. If the grates aren’t hot enough, it impacts the flavor and appearance.
• Do not overmix the meat mixture because it makes the finished product tough.
• Ensure the patties aren’t too thick. Make them about 3/4-inch thick, otherwise the middle may be undercooked.
• Remember to lightly grease the grill grates to prevent the patties from sticking.

Should I cover my meatloaf with aluminum foil?

Covering your meatloaf with aluminum foil is a common practice in some grilled meatloaf recipes. However, if you lightly grease the grill grates and properly shape the patties, you can avoid the risk of the burgers falling apart or sticking to the grill.

Personally, I prefer not to use foil because I enjoy the smoky flavors that come from grilling directly on the grates. This allows the patties to absorb the essence of the grill, enhancing their overall taste and texture.