Meatloaf Recipe
Meatloaf can sometimes be a polarizing meal. There are those who love it and some who don't. The naysayers, we believe, just haven't found their ideal preparation, as there are an infinite amount of recipes for meatloaf. There is also the possibility that they've never tried a properly prepared meatloaf. As any cook knows, ingredients and recipes are prep sensitive and require specific provisions. Don't give up on the friends and family who are missing out, however. Instead, try these tips to create and discover the perfect meatloaf recipes of everyone you care about!
Don't forget the binding ingredient: The perfect meatloaf should hold its shape well before and after it is cooked. The meat you use is going to need a bit of help however, if it's going to stay together and not crumble. To achieve the right texture, you'll need to add a binding agent. Bread crumbs are a popular option but you can also use ingredients like crushed crackers, cereal or chips. Eggs are another great binding tool and they will also add tons of moisture to your existing recipe for meatloaf.
Sauté your veggies: Adding vegetables and herbs is an essential part of making a good meatloaf. It adds flavor to the meat, enhances the texture and contributes to a moist result. A good trick to getting even more out of your veggies is to first sauté them in little oil or butter. Doing so will unleash the full flavor potential of seasonings like onion and garlic.
Let it rest. Much like you would with a steak, it is important to let your meatloaf sit untouched for at least ten minutes after it's removed from the oven. This is because the muscle fibers tense when meat is being cooked, encouraging all moisture to seep out. If the meat is cut into right away, the juices can escape, leaving you with a dry piece of meat. By letting your meatloaf rest, the moisture will be reabsorbed and your meat will be tender and juicy.Now that you have the right practices, you should be able to execute a technically sound meatloaf. What if the problem isn't in execution however, but in flavoring? Here are some recipe tips to win over the staunchest cynics.
For the grill master:
Meatloaf? Pfft, it's all about burgers, steaks and ribs for a griller. No recipe for meatloaf will ever come close to the flame-kissed flavor or traditional grilled meats. At least that's what they think.
Grilled Meatloaf Stroganoff:
Prep Time: 15 min | Cooking Time: 25 min
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 onion
1 cup cremini or white mushrooms, finely chopped
1 Beef flavored Bouillon Cube
1 ½ lbs. extra lean ground beef
½ cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 package Classic Brown Gravy Mix
¼ cup reduced fat sour cream
Methods:
Cook the onions and mushrooms in 1 Tbsp. oil over medium heat. When the vegetables are tender, stir in the Bouillon and cook the mixture for one additional minute, before removing from heat. Set 2 Tbsp. of the vegetable mixture aside.
Mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and larger portion of the mushroom mixture, then form the meat into a loaf on an aluminum-foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush the loaf on all sides with the remaining oil, then invert the meatloaf onto a preheated grill and remove the foil. Cook over medium-high heat on both sides until the loaf has grill marks.
Turn the burners off and shut the grill cover, allowing the meat to roast until it has reached 160°F. Meanwhile, prepare the Gravy Mix according to the directions, making sure to stir in the 2 Tbsp. of mushroom mixture and the sour cream. Serve with the finished meatloaf.
For the spice lover:
Chances are you've got someone in your network that is a die-hard chili enthusiast. They'll take a splash of hot sauce with just about anything they are eating and traditional recipes for meatloaf, in their opinion, lack spice.
Latin Meatloaf:
Prep Time: 20 min Cooking Time: 45 min
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. oil
¾ cup red bell pepper
3 jalapeno peppers, (or to taste), seeded and finely chopped
2 medium carrots, coarsely grated
½ cup green olives, chopped
1/3 cup water
3 Tbsp. Beef Bouillon
2 lbs. ground beef
1 cup plain dry bread crumbs
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup ketchup
Visit Knorr for easy instructions on how to make this tasty meatloaf.
Anyone can be a meatloaf enthusiast when the recipe is prepared well and according to their liking! The next time someone says they aren't a fan, follow our preparation tips and draw inspiration from our recipe examples to create a custom recipe for meatloaf that they're sure to love.
Author:
Chris Bilyk
Chef Bilyk's love of food comes from childhood memories of his large Polish-Italian family and eating mussels at his grandparents' Jersey...
