Meatloaf Without Breadcrumbs

Meatloaf is a fairly simple recipe to prepare, and it’s even easier to prepare without breadcrumbs.

I’ve always loved meatloaf. It’s a nostalgic dinner that my mom frequently made for us when we were kids. My mom’s meatloaf was always topped with ketchup and accompanied by a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. Delicious!

My mom’s recipe included breadcrumbs, but I don’t normally purchase them, so I thought I’d substitute with something that I always have on hand, which is all-purpose flour.

Let me tell you, the result is outstanding!

How To Make The Best Meatloaf You’ve Ever Had

To make a perfect meatloaf, there are certain rules you must follow. Don’t worry, I’m here to walk you through every step, right up until you take your first bite!

1. Choose The Right Meat

Many of us think that if ground beef has a percentage greater than 5% fat, but it is not great to use in a recipe because of the excess grease.

That may be true for other recipes, but for meatloaf, the correct fat percentage to use is meat with between 7-10%.

This will make the meat more compact and juicier. Meatloaf made from lean meats tends to get very dry.

Either way, excess fat always remains at the bottom of the baking sheet.

2. Choose The Right Vegetables

To make a classic meatloaf, the vegetables you use are just as important as the meat.

Onions, garlic, green chili, and certain aromatic herbs are essential. Some people even use grated carrots that give it good flavor and color.

The most important thing is the preparation of the vegetables. They should be very finely chopped.

If you chop the veggies into larger chunks, they will ruin the texture of the meatloaf and can even cause the meatloaf to crack and fall apart.

3. Add Spices and Condiments

Use a good amount of spices, including garlic, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper. I also highly recommend including mustard and ketchup to season the meatloaf.

4. Use Binding Agents

To prevent your meatloaf from falling apart, it is necessary to add elements that give it moisture and work as an edible glue.

Egg yolk and a few tablespoons of milk are essential for moisture. Breadcrumbs are normally added for this purpose as well, however, they are not needed.

To properly bind the meatloaf without the use of breadcrumbs, we use an equal-parts mixture of wheat flour, cornstarch, liquid milk, and egg yolk.

This will be enough to keep the meatloaf firm so you can cut it properly.

5. Make The Classic Meatloaf Sauce

When you cook meatloaf, it doesn’t always brown perfectly, so I like to prepare a simple sauce to spread on top. It looks pretty, and it tastes great.

The classic meatloaf sauce, and the one I use, is a combination of ketchup, brown sugar, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce and spices.

I usually apply this sauce several times over the meatloaf with a pastry brush during cooking for a glazed finish.

I used a pastry brush that I purchased at a local store, but this silicone brush will work great too!

6. Bake It Properly

When you’re ready to stick the meatloaf in the oven, cover it with aluminum foil during the first part of the cooking process, then remove it halfway through so that the meatloaf is properly glazed on top.

When you remove the meatloaf from the oven, it’s essential to let it sit for at least 20 minutes before cutting into it. If you skip this step, the meatloaf juices will flow out, and you’ll have a messy, dry meatloaf on your hands.

Stuffed Meatloaf Ideas

We chose not to stuff our meatloaf with anything because we wanted to remain true to the classic recipe. However, you have the option of filling the meatloaf.

Here are some stuffed meatloaf ideas:

• Sauteed vegetables
• Mozzarella
• Bacon and cheese
• Mushrooms and caramelized onions
• Ham and cheese

Here’s how to properly fill meatloaf (without it falling apart):

• Put half the meat in the baking container.
• Make a hole in the middle, without reaching the bottom.
• Place the filling and cover very well with the rest of the meat mixture.

How To Make Meatloaf Without Breadcrumbs

Step 1: Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 360 F

Step 2: Finely chop the vegetables: onion, garlic, pepper, parsley, and coriander (cilantro)

Step 3: Place the ground beef in a mixing bowl, add the finely chopped vegetables, oregano, pepper, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper, and mix!

Step 4: In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and wheat flour. Sprinkle the mixture over the meat

Step 5: Add the egg yolk and milk. Knead until everything is thoroughly mixed

Step 6: Place the meatloaf inside the greased pan and flatten with your fingers

Step 7: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl. With the help of a pastry brush, spread about 3 tbsp of sauce on the meatloaf

Step 8: Cover with aluminum foil and cook for half an hour. After 30 minutes, add the remaining sauce and cook uncovered for 15 more minutes

Step 10: Wait for the juices to settle (about 20 minutes) and slice it on a cutting board

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