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The Finest EVER (Moist) Meatloaf Recipe


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This actually is the BEST Meatloaf Recipe on the market! It has by no means acquired lower than a 5-star ranking and receives RAVE critiques from everybody who tries it. Moist and scrumptious, this easy-to-make meatloaf with candy ketchup glaze will go away you wanting extra. Scrumptious served with mashed potatoes and maple glazed carrots.

A close up of a plate of Meatloaf

Why You’ll Love This Moist Meatloaf Recipe

You’re ten easy components away from making one of the best meatloaf ever! It is a basic recipe that’s simple to comply with and the candy ketchup glaze is sort of actually the icing on the highest. In case you’re hesitant about cooking or have by no means made meatloaf earlier than, fear not! Learn by way of this submit to get all my ideas and methods for a scrumptious meal. Pay particular consideration to my milk and bread crumbs tip as a result of THAT is the KEY to this tender meatloaf.

Ingredients in a white plastic bowl

Moist Meatloaf Components

  • Floor Beef– I like to make use of floor beef with a barely increased fats content material for this recipe. By doing so helps make this meatloaf moist and tender. I intention to search out 80/20.
  • Onion
  • Bread Crumbs– seasoned bread crumbs
  • Eggs
  • Milk– provides moisture. Complete or 2% is most well-liked.
  • Seasoning (Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning)
  • Ketchup
  • Worcestershire
  • Ketchup + Brown Sugar (for glaze on high)

What’s the secret to moist Meatloaf?

Properly, there are a variety of issues that I do to maintain a meatloaf moist, tender and scrumptious! Listed below are the fundamentals:

  • Fats Content material. Utilizing a floor beef that has a barely increased fats content material can positively assist maintain your meatloaf moist and tender. A lean or additional lean floor beef (like 90/10 or 93/7) makes a tricky meatloaf as a result of it lacks the fats. Attempt to intention for 80/20.
  • Add Sautéed Veggies. I like sautéing some onions in olive oil till they’re brown and including this to the meat combination. This not solely provides taste however additional moisture to maintain your meatloaf tender and juicy.
  • Add Milk. I do know this looks like a bizarre ingredient, however milk makes an enormous distinction! Milk provides moisture and it helps retains the meat tender.
  • Use Breadcrumbs. Seasoned breadcrumbs add one other layer of taste and act form of like a ‘filler’. Nevertheless it has an necessary job! Breadcrumbs take up the milk in addition to the fats from the meat because it cooks, serving to to lock in moisture, retaining your meatloaf scrumptious.
  • Do NOT Overmix. To keep away from a dense meatloaf, mix the components JUST till included.
  • Season the Meat Properly. This recipe makes a big meatloaf, so it wants loads of salt and pepper. Not less than a tablespoon of every. Additionally, Worcestershire provides depth of taste, so don’t neglect it!
  • Add a Glaze. Whether or not you sweep on a home made glaze or use plain previous ketchup, this provides a candy taste which compliments the savory meatloaf and sure, you guessed it, helps maintain moisture in.
  • Cowl the Meatloaf When Baking. Once more, retaining moisture is the secret, so whereas this meatloaf recipe is within the oven, make sure to cowl it with foil. Within the final Quarter-hour, be happy to take away to get that glaze good and sticky. Yum!

Why Do You Put Milk in Meatloaf?

Like I discussed above, milk provides moisture and fats that the breadcrumbs take up that maintain this recipe moist and tender. I take advantage of the identical methodology with meatballs and even turkey burgers. Milk is a magic ingredient that makes a giant distinction. Attempt to use complete or 2% milk the place you may. After all 1% or skim milk works simply fantastic! A nondairy substitute would additionally work instead of the milk as effectively.

How you can Make Moist Meatloaf

Right here is my final information on the way to make this simple meatloaf recipe. For full recipe particulars, together with components measurements, see the printable recipe card down under. Here’s a step-by-step information that can assist you make one of the best meatloaf ever!

1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a half sheet pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, spray calmly with nonstick cooking spray and put aside.

Do I Want a Particular Pan For Meatloaf? No! You might have seen a particular ‘meatloaf pan’ on the market which appear to be a cross between a loaf pan, a springform pan, and a colander. However let me be the primary to let you know, you don’t want it to make moist, flavorful meatloaf. With my recipe, you solely want a baking sheet lined with foil. A glass baking dish additionally works in a pinch. You can even simply use two plain loaf pans that you’d use for bread, however I personally don’t like all of the fats amassing within the pan; I like forming it right into a loaf form on a sheet pan and letting any additional fats cook dinner out and find yourself on the pan as a substitute of within the meatloaf.

2. Make Meatloaf Combination

In a big skillet, saute onions in olive oil till tender and browned. Pour into a big bowl.

To the onions, add in floor beef, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, seasonings, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Combine effectively till utterly mixed. Don’t neglect to season effectively with salt and black pepper.

Professional Tip: To check for seasonings, pinch out a small quantity of the meat and type a skinny patty. Prepare dinner in a pan on the stovetop, then style. Add extra salt and pepper as wanted.

raw meatloaf on a tinfoil lined baking sheet being glazes with ketchup

3. Type Your Meatloaf Log and Add the Glaze

Type into a protracted go online the ready baking sheet and flatten the highest. It ought to fill the pan lengthwise.

Whisk ketchup along with brown sugar and unfold excessive of the meatloaf.

What Can I Placed on High of Meatloaf As a substitute of Ketchup? I saved issues simple by glazing this meatloaf recipe with a mixture of ketchup and brown sugar. Ketchup is a straightforward but conventional topping to meatloaf that locks within the moisture whereas additionally offering its signature candy vinegary style. In case you don’t like ketchup or for no matter cause don’t need to use ketchup as a glaze, listed here are a couple of different choices: BBQ sauce, Grated Cheddar Cheese, Marinara Sauce (for an Italian meatloaf), Salsa (for a Mexican impressed meatloaf), Strips of Bacon or Cream of Mushroom Soup.

4. Bake

Bake lined with foil at 350° F till cooked right through to no less than 160° F. Be happy to take away the foil after about 40 minutes of cooking to essentially caramelize that glaze. High with chopped recent parsley if desired and serve.

Meatloaf Cooking Time

The final rule of thumb right here is to cook dinner a meatloaf half-hour per pound of beef. That is on the oven temperature of 350° F. Cooking instances will fluctuate as a result of no two ovens are alike. Plus the thinner and flatter you make your loaf the faster it can cook dinner. I baked mine for about an hour, you could want extra time.

What Inside Temperature is Meatloaf Carried out?

Use an on the spot learn meat thermometer to test for doneness. If it reads 160° F or extra, you’re good to go. Over baking can dry it out although, so watch out.

close up of the top of meatloaf sliced

Storage Instructions

Fortunate for you, this meatloaf recipe saves effectively! Cowl leftover meatloaf with plastic wrap or hermetic container and retailer them within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. To reheat, merely heat within the microwave or oven. 

To Freeze

You can even freeze this meatloaf recipe. With this methodology, it could possibly last as long as 4 months within the freezer. After baking, let your loaf cool to room temperature. Cowl in foil, then seal it in a plastic freezer bag.

Reheat. Let thaw for twenty-four hours in your fridge earlier than baking. Then bake at 350° F till the interior temperature reaches 160° F.

Make Forward Directions

Apart from measuring components and mixing them collectively, the one different factor you need to do is saute onions. Because of this this meatloaf recipe is such a straightforward one. It’s excellent for any evening of the week and may even be made forward of time!

Merely combine the meat combination collectively in a bowl and cowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate till prepared to make use of. While you’re prepared, uncover it and let it come to room temperature whereas the oven preheats. Type that log form on a ready pan and high it with the sauce proper earlier than baking.

Meatloaf vs Salisbury Steak

Whilst you would possibly suppose meatloaf and salisbury steak two are principally the identical dish, they’re positively not my associates. Sure, the components are largely the identical, however the variations are in means they’re cooked and what’s added to the highest. Meatloaf is clearly shaped right into a loaf and both baked in a loaf pan or on baking sheet, within the oven. Meatloaf normally has a tomato (ketchup) unfold or glaze added to the highest. Salisbury Steak is cooked in skillet on the range high in patties, and normally served with a brown mushroom gravy.

Meatloaf Recipe FAQ

Why is my meatloaf falling aside?

To maintain your loaf from falling aside be sure you comply with the written recipe accurately. The entire binding components (like breadcrumbs and eggs) are key. One more reason the meatloaf can collapse is should you sliced into it whereas it proper out of the oven piping scorching. Let it relaxation for ten minutes earlier than slicing to assist it maintain its form.

Why is my meatloaf powerful?

You might have a tricky or chewy meatloaf for 2 primary causes: (1) you used a floor beef with a decrease fats content material and/or (2) you over baked it. To keep away from this, use 80/20 floor beef and use that on the spot learn meat thermometer to assist forestall this.

Why is my meatloaf mushy?

The primary cause you’d have a mushy meatloaf is that if the parts of binding components to meat is off. When you have too many onions, breadcrumbs, eggs and milk can create a mushy meatloaf. Any meatloaf recipe that has extra breadcrumbs than floor beef is an indication you’ll almost definitely have a mushy meatloaf.

Why did my meatloaf crack?

This occurs as a result of the surface cooks sooner than the within. To assist forestall a crack in your meatloaf, make sure to high the surface with ketchup, bake at a decrease oven temperature (350° F) and canopy with foil.

What to Serve With Meatloaf

This Meatloaf recipe deserves to be served with one of the best aspect dishes. So I’ve rounded up a couple of that go completely with meatloaf.

Love Meatloaf? Strive These Recipes

I do know you’ll shortly see why this recipe has grow to be a household favourite of mine! Add it to your month-to-month meal planning rotation! The printable recipe card is under. Have an excellent day, associates! 🙂

In case you make this recipe, I might actually admire it should you would give it a star ranking and go away your evaluate within the feedback! When you have an image of your completed dish, submit it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

A close up of a plate of Meatloaf
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