The best Southern Meatloaf
My grandma taught me everything meatloaf!
People either love it, or hate it. But there are secrets to creating a noteworthy meatloaf. My paternal grandmother lived with us and I was so blessed to learn from her. First, vegetables make the loaf moist. All kinds of veggies! I honestly use whatever I have on hand, mutilate them in the food processor and just throw them into the mix. Seriously, I’ve used celery, onion, carrots, peppers of any kind and even sweet potato!
Fresh bread crumbs soaked in milk?
Yep, if you want a tender loaf this is a must. Why would you put dry bread crumbs into something you want to be moist? Plus, it is very fun to pulverize stuff in the food processor. 🙂
You gotta use your hands if you truly want a perfect loaf!
The ONLY way to get everything incorporated is to squish the heck out of it with your hands. Take off your rings or wear gloves and just dig in. The result will be amazing.
Southern Meatloaf
Equipment
- Food Processor
- 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs can substitute dry
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup finely grated veggies peppers, onions, celery, carrot or whatever you have on hand
- 1 egg beaten
- 1.5 lb hamburger meat 80/20
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flake
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Whiz two slices of fresh bread torn into pieces in a food processor (with blade) until crumbs are very small and equal 1/2 cup
- Poor the milk over the bread crumbs in a large mixing bowl to soak and set aside
- In food processor add veggies of your choice and pulse until almost liquid form to equal 1/2 cup.
- Combine the vegetable mixture and beaten egg with the bread crumb mixture.
- Add all other ingredients except the ketchup and mix thoroughly with your hands.
- Press mixture into loaf pan.
- Bake for one hour. Remove from oven and spread the ketchup on top.
- Bake for 15 more minutes. Cool for 15 minutes and transfer to a serving plate. Enjoy!
