Meatloaf Makers: What's the secret?

[bekkiz]

for a healther version, this can not be beat (although it's just as good w/other ground meats!) This makes an enormous meatloaf, but is really easily sized down.

Moist Turkey Meatloaf

This is an Ina Garten recipe from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.

3 cups chopped yellow onions
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
5 lbs ground turkey
1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
3 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup ketchup
1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Saute onions in olive oil until translucent, about 15 minutes.
3. Add salt, pepper, thyme, Worchestershire sauce, chicken stock and tomato paste and mix well.
4. Allow to cool to room temperature.
5. Combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg and onion mixture in a large bowl.
6. Mix wll and shape into a rectangular loaf on an ungreased sheet pan.
7. Spread the ketchup evenly on top.
8. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until the internal temperature is 160F and the meatloaf is cooked through.

 

[Alice28]

I follow the recipe on Lipton's Onion soup mix and it's yummy- my DH who HATED meatloaf as a kid, loves this recipe! I believe it has:

Eggs
Ketchup (not a lot- maybe 1/4 cup?)
Bread Crumbs
Water
Soup mix
I'm forgetting something........one other ingredient......

Anyway, it's quite yummy and I just might have to make it today!

 

[pjlla]

I hate to cook, so I try to do a lot of it at once to get it over with. I will make upwards to 25 or more small meatloaves at once. But since DH climbed aboard the "Atkins" wagon, I haven't made this much lately.

Main ingredient is large quantity of ground hamburg, any type, as long as it is fairly cheap and not too full of fat.

Secondary ingredient is a soy meat substitute put out by Dixie Kitchens called "Beef Not". Before you go "EWWW", let me tell you, I'm sure that once it is mixed with the meat, you would never know it was there. But is far cheaper than even the cheapest hamburg, and much better for you with no fat. I reconstitute it and add it directly to the meat.

Third ingredient is the "secret"....... I use something I buy in the fresh produce department called "Broccoli slaw". It is broccoli, carrots, and cabbage cut up to use like cole slaw. It is cut up so fine that once it is cooked it is hard to even see it. You could even chop it up finer if you wanted. I just dump the whole bag in.

Fourth ingredient is oatmeal and breadcrumbs.

THe rest is pretty much the basic, egg, ketchup, worcestershire, salt, pepper, garlic, oregano........whatever cooked veggies need to be used up from the fridge, including, but not limited to mash potatoes, squash, cauliflower, green beans (chopped).

My recipe is never the same two times. After I have got this mess all mixed together (usually have to use my hands like play-dough), I take out one small loaf pan and line it with a large piece of plastic wrap. I load it up with the meat mix, pack it down, level the top, and invert it on to a large jellyroll pan lined with foil. The plastic wrap keeps it from sticking to the loaf pan. I repeat this as many times as I need to to use up all the meat. I believe my record was 30+ meatloaves at one time. I bake them all at once and then wrap them in plastic wrap and then double layer of foil when they are cooled. Then into the deep freeze they go. When I need them I either thaw in the fridge during the day, or unwrap and put it in the microwave frozen. Great for those nights when I forgot to get something out earlier!! Also brought a few to a friend right after she had a baby. She was so grateful for something to save in the freezer for a "desperate" day. Also, this eliminates having to heat up the oven every time you want meatloaf. And here in NH with very high electric rates, I am thankful for any savings!..................................P

 

[princessariel]

I never make my meatloaf the same way. But I always put in lots of fresh garlic!

 

[MosMom]

I put cottage cheese, green peppers, & portabello mushrooms in mine...with fresh bread that has been pulsed in the cuisinart instead of crumbs. I also put bacon strips on top of it. It is so good. I could eat it everyday. Even my husband likes it and he doesn't like green peppers or mushrooms. They almost cook out but leave incredible flavor.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Pickapeppa Sauce. It adds zip and interest. It's sort of a Jamaican version of worchestershire sauce.

 

[rockyndavid]

I use:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 cup Oatmeal
1/2 cup minced Onion
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
1 teaspoon Black Pepper.
1 egg
3/4 cup skim milk

Mix shape into loaf top with

1/4 c Ketchup
1 tablespoon Mustard
2 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar

Mix ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and place on top of the meatloaf. Bake at 325 degrees for about an hour or an internal temp of at least 165 degrees.

My husband's favorite!

 

[phillybeth]

I do a southwestern style meatloaf with ground turkey, a packet of taco seasoning, salsa, some frozen corn or black beans if I have them. Top with more salsa and some cheddar or pepper jack cheese. Low fat without the cheese, low carb without the beans or corn.

 

[luv2nascar]

ground beef & pork, salt pepper, seasoned bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, egg, worcestershire sauce, & can of tomato soup

** I forgot the cheese - grated parmesan/romano cheese too

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

...bump this thread! So many GREAT variations of meatloaf!!

 

[Jockaroo]

Hated my mom's meatloaf as a kid--big chunks of green peppers, onions and too much tomato taste.

Developed this version thanks to tasting a great meatloaf at a restuarant...

1 lb ground beef (93 or 95% lean)
bread crumbs (store bought)
1/2 package of Liptons Onion Mushroom soup mix
some Worcheshire sauce
1 egg (or Eggbeaters)
minced garlic
finely minced green peppers and mild onion (no big chunks!)
Salt
Pepper

Mix, put mix in refrigerator for a couple of hours to rehydrate crumbs (important if using low-fat meats). Bake. And here's the secret.....
Let rest for 10 minutes or so. Cut slices. Put slices on Foreman grill or in skillet and lightly brown each side. Delicious. Can serve with brown gravy if you wish. This is the meatloaf for people who don't like tomato-y meatloafs.