Client Recipe: Vinny Dorsey's Smoked Meatloaf

Vinny Dorsey

Berry Wealth Group client Vinny Dorsey is proud to share his tips on making the perfect Smoked Meatloaf.

Start with your own favorite meatloaf recipe because, with a few tweaks, smoke flavor can be added to any recipe. Vinny has 2 secrets to make your meatloaf delicious and unique. Vinny’s recipe starts with 80/20 (20% fat) ground beef, binder, and eggs. The first flavorful secret is to use pork rinds/ chicharrónes finely ground in a food processor as the binder rather than breadcrumbs.

If your favorite recipe calls for veggies, sauté them very well to reduce water content. Otherwise, your loaf will fall apart on the smoker.

Vinny omits the veggies and opts for a combination of Lawry’s seasoning salt, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, a little bit of tomato juice or V-8 and his second secret ingredient – a substantial amount of prepared horseradish.

Specific amounts aren’t given because he makes 50+ lbs at a time. Start with amounts you feel will work, make a tiny meatball, and microwave it. Taste and adjust until you get it “just right”.

Chill the mixture for several hours (overnight is best). Place a piece of parchment paper on a cutting board and form the chilled meat mixture into a loaf on the paper.

Slide the loaf and parchment onto the smoker rack and smoke at 225° for 4-6 hours or until the internal temp reaches 165° (smaller loaves take less time). There is more direct penetration of smoke without a pan and the parchment makes it easy to move the cooked meatloaf off the smoker and onto a cutting board.

Vinny does not use a glaze or any ingredient with sugar because the loaf will burn. Instead, he serves a modified barbeque sauce on the side. Start with a bottled sauce – his favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s – and thin it with beef broth and a splash of Liquid Smoke. Enjoy!

PS. Learn more about Vinny & Joyce Dorsey in our latest client spotlight. This wonderful couple regularly prepares free meals for local first responders, court workers and more. Vinny's Smoked Meatloaf is a hit at these luncheons!